http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/ap_o...
Do u think this is really nescesary?Why do u have laws based on ridiculous religious believes.
And, lastly do u agree with all these ridiculous laws or hope saudi had reasonable laws like the rest of the world What i was referring to was the laws of saudi which are totally based on religious believes and not logic.If these laws are very "logical" then many other countries would have them. This issue was commented on well at the CBS site. I, being biased and all ;-), liked the comments of the user 'tuckerndfw' and 'Mom_O_Truth':
[QuotesComment1]:
"KSA does not issue tourist visas to non-Muslims. Other than Muslim pilgrimages to Mecca, as a civilian, you can only get into KSA by having a Saudi sponsor and work visa.
She knew the rules and chose to flaunt them. For which she was appropriately punished (this tabloid journalism piece ignores the men, but it''s safe to assume they were also punished). She is not a victim of anything but her own poor judgment.
[QuotesComment2]:
"But, that does not alter the fact the Americans violated KSA laws and were appropriately punished. Nor does it alter the fact that many people posting comments on this board appear to be Jewish or Christian zealots far more concerned with vilifying Muslims than any concern for justice."
[QuotesComment3]:
"However, that does not alter the fact Saudi women have no interest in being "westernized." Nor does it alter the fact the arrogant Americans violated Saudi laws and got what they deserved. They do not deserve sympathy or support. They are an insult to themselves and to all Americans."
Another user by the name 'Mom_O_Truth':
[QuotesComment1]:
"American Business people overseas are in a sensitive position TO RESPECT THE CULTURE OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY DO BUSINESS to become successful and close the deal, else no deal. Translated to an American scene: How would the police react if they see two men or two women kissing at Starbucks in Fort Worth, TX as they were watching porn business on the internet?
We can not enforce our culture on other countries nor expect other countries to know how to treat us in their own land according to American customs. WAKE UP PEOPLE. STOP THE BRAIN WASHING.
This is not the second world war any more and you can't put those Muslims in concentration camps just like you did with the Japanese 60 years ago. STOP THE RELIGIOUS HATE CRIME. Do not become an extremist yourself.
Wouldn't you love to have zero interest rates here, they have it in Saudia. Who is sucking your money at the gas pump here? Who is not building any more refineries to drive up gas prices with an abundance of oil produced overseas? Who is eating you up alive at your home equity here? Wake up all you narrow minded heads and stop letting your frustration out on an escape goat because you have bin brain washed and programmed for the past 8 years and by your evil box called TV."
[QuotesComment2]:
"Someone at CBS is fueling the fire and hate again to keep the brainwashing well going, they couldn't even find another picture to represent Muslim women other than those black ghosts. Couldn't you put her picture in there instead? It is amazing to read all these intolerant comments because an American BUSINESS woman took the liberty to continue her business her own "American way" at Starbucks in Saudi Arabia. As a business woman she made a choice to deal with men only society in Saudia and hence should have known before hand that at the moment she entered the Starbucks family section, as a foreign woman, SHE made a bad business decision, by not being sensitive to the culture she is living in, to make business as a stranger in a foreign country. She put herself in a vulnerable position, in harms way. Just like that Brit woman teacher did in Sudan.
Unfortunately she did not consider and study the customs of that country before she went to Saudia just like many other American Business men and women before her did in many other countries around the world, regardless of the religion of such country.
Recall how American Business people violated the Japanese and other Asian cultures for many years while doing business in these countries." Your question is somewhat loaded and, as such, is unlikely to be taken very seriously by Saudis.
First of all, "the rest of the world" most certainly does NOT have "reasonable" laws. Even the USA, which loves to lecture other countries on how they should conduct their business, has some pretty irrational and unreasonable ones.
Most Saudis might be inclined to agree that the actions of the religious police in the particular case you refer to were unnecessary - that is why the incident was reported in local newspapers in the first place.
However, to start labelling their "religious believes" [sic] as "ridiculous" is not only ignorant ethnocentrism, it ignores the fact that many areas in the USA and the West in general had very similar beliefs not long ago. Speak to your grandmother and she will tell you of the oppression that many women went through before the 1960's. She will be able to tell you about the restrictions which were put on public conduct and displays of affection.
The difference is, perhaps, that Saudis have been more determined, some would say a little too determined, not to let their morality slip. So you would be right to suggest that most Saudis would love to see the "Muttawa" (religious police) reigned in a little. Those are their laws...It doesn't matter what they are based on...It was her responsibility to know them and abide by them while she was there...
I'm sure many foreigners find some of our laws ridiculous but we enforce them nonetheless... i am an american living in dhahran, saudi arabia, and i don't agree with all of the laws, but some of them are for good reasons. women aren't allowed to drive, but that is because they all wear black gowns similar to graduation gowns that cover everything except for a small slit over your eyes. this means they have no peripheral vision, so if they did drive then there would be tons of accidents (tons more then there already are). most of the other laws i do not personally believe in, but i live with them everyday, and have been for the last seven years of my life. i have grown use to them, and i don't mind so much anymore. it's their culture, their religion, and their country. we shouldn't judge them. When we no longer have a president who is in the pocket of the Saudis we may consign them and their oil to yesterday's news. I say eliminate all need for oil--electric cars, electric heat, more nukes (if necessary) and do it fast. Then no more association with Islamic nations, no representation there or here. Seize all Islamic owned businesses and land in the US and deport all Muslims. Cut Israel off, too, let the Middle East return to the stone age. Why doesn't everyone quit attacking Saudi Arabia and focus on the American and British Solidiers who are raping innocent Iraqi women and girls. She is an American with a Saudi husband. I'm sure she knew the rules and had to have some idea she could get in trouble for what she did. She chose to live in Saudi Arabia so she should be expected to abide by the rules, just like if someone came to live in America I am sure she would expect them to follow the law. You are a guest in someones home, you abide by the home owners rules...
right on to the two first answers... as a saudi, lemme answer your questions:
Do u think this is really nescesary?
No.
Why do u have laws based on ridiculous religious believes.
For us, these religious believes are facts and not rediculous at all. Some of the application of these beliefs and the way is done in Saudi Arabia are done in wrong manners and you will find big part of society not happy with that.
But, the beliefs themselves, absolutely without any doubt.
Now, she was very unlucky, because she was caught. There are 1000s of similar incidents that happen everyday here without being noticed. And she was bit careless as 'to the law' she was wrong.
Now, in similar comparison, some Arabs get their life screwed in America because they were dating a girl under the age of 18. While this thing might be extremely normal in most parts of the world, there your life and future can be destroyed.
Back to religion beleifs and laws. Here for example, it is not allowed to buy or sell alcohol, based on religion beliefs. I see this as a great thing.
I think most people would agree that drinking cause health and social issues, despite many people like the fun of it.
I grew up in my teenage days without alcohol. Later on, I never had that carv for alcohol, so it was easy for me to take it out of my life. Why doesn't everyone quit attacking Saudi Arabia and focus on the American and British Solidiers who are raping innocent Iraqi women and girls. |
