April 11, 2006
some news to think about
A friend sent this link. It is a series of images of street preachers in Miami. Some of the images are quite moving. I am not one to stand on the corner and call pedestrians to repent. I have certain issues with that style of evangelism myself. But the longer I serve as a minister, the more respect I have for the courage of people who do. Believe it or not, it is hard enough to stand in a pulpit of a church and ask people to listen to God much less to stand on a streetcorner.
In other news, a Catholic priest was kicked out of Saudi Arabia. It seems that he was asked not to practice his religion. Some day I am sure I will understand our government's relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Today is simply not that day.
The Saudi government prohibits the practice of any religion other than the fundamentalist wahabita Islam doctrine. Missionary work is forbidden as is any public manifestation (having Bibles, wearing a cross, a rosary, praying in public). The religious police, the notorious Muttawa, are well-known for their ruthlessness and use of violent torture. In recent years, thanks to international pressure, the Saudi kingdom has come to allow the practice of other religions but only in private. However, the Muttawa continues to arrest, imprison and torture people who practice other faiths even in private.*
Tags:Muttawa evangelism
Posted by tripp at April 11, 2006 05:27 AM