Western atheists: You aren’t illegal in Saudi Arabia

[rug]

Chris Stedman | Apr 7, 2014

Today’s guest column is written by Sarah Jones, Communications Associate for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect those of her employer.



Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

News that Saudi Arabia has classified atheism as a form of terrorism has predictably unleashed controversy in the West, particularly among Western atheists.

Their outrage isn’t necessarily misplaced—this decree is clearly antithetical to free expression. It’s unquestionably absurd to link atheism to terrorism, and the kingdom doesn’t have the finest record on civil liberties.

But while the global condemnation is justified, some responses to the decree threaten to do more harm than good.

In the wake of the news, I watched as a number of Western atheists rushed to the Internet to announce that they’d be considered illegal or a terrorist in Saudi Arabia.

http://chrisstedman.religionnews.com/2014/04/07/western-atheists-arent-illegal-saudi-arabia/

[struggle4progress]

1. Dunno. It might be an uncomfortable experience to go to Saudi Arabia and express any ideas

not sanctioned by the regime

After 10 years in a Saudi prison, Ati Abeh Inan finally made it back to Indonesia last month. On death row for “casting a magic spell on her employer and his family,” she was pardoned by King Abdullah ... According to Migrant Rights, 30 to 50 maids report abuse and exploitation every day at the center for housemaid affairs in Riyadh, which deals with runaway maids and those who refuse to work for their sponsors ... Those who dare submit official complaints for mistreatment face the risk of employers filing counter-claims of witchcraft or adultery, which are severely punished in Saudi Arabia ...
In Saudi Arabia, Indonesian maids are on death row for sorcery
But after one maid’s decapitation, Indonesia has finally won some rights for these slave-like workers.
Marie Dhumieres
March 17, 2014 07:27

[rug]

2. That law is purely for domestic consumption.

The reality is that no Western atheist is illegal in Saudi Arabia. The regime hasn’t banned non-Saudis from being atheists while in the country. It hasn’t even banned atheists from entering the country. That’s because non-Saudis aren’t the target of the decree.

Once again they are using religion, one of many arrows in their quiver, to maintain political control. it's part of a new anti-terrorism statute.

They may use it on working class immigrants from Muslim countries but that's as far as they'll push it. I believe the cases you cited involved the existing blasphemy laws, an entirely different means of social control.

[struggle4progress]

3. I agree it's about political control. But it's possible to get in trouble in Saudi Arabia

as a foreigner with unapproved religious views. The law might fall preferentially on so-called guest workers

[rug]

4. Like everything else, it depends on economic power.

Since it's hardly a vacation destination, it's likely any westerner encountered there is more economically connected than a south Asian laborer or domestic worker.