Smuggling the Bible Could Get You Killed in This Country
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will impose a death sentence on anyone caught smuggling a Bible, according to HeartCry Missionary.
“In actuality, the new law extends to the importing of all illegal drugs and ‘all publications that have a prejudice to any other religious beliefs other than Islam,'” according to HeartCry’s post. “In other words, anyone who attempts to bring Bibles or gospel literature into the country will have all materials confiscated and be imprisoned and sentenced to death.”
The unconfirmed reports started circulating last month, though WND attempted to contact the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is governed by Sharia law, and the death sentence is just the latest in a string of Islamic-based attacks on Christians, part of a culture of “religious cleansing.”
“Saudi Arabia is continuing the religious cleansing that has always been its official policy,” Nina Shea, director of the Washington-based Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom, told foxnews.com earlier this year. “It is the only nation state in the world with the official policy of banning all churches. This is enforced even though there are over 2 million Christian foreign workers in that country. Those victimized are typically poor, from Asian and African countries with weak governments.”
According to Council on Foreign Relations, Saudi Arabia is one of the most devoted Middle Eastern countries to Sharia law. This, in turn, makes it one of the most dangerous places to practice Christianity. Dozens, including women and children, were arrested in September after a raid on a house church. Those who convert from Islam run the risk of being victims of honor killings, according to the World Watchlist.
Despite efforts to build bridges of mutual respect, no Christian is safe. According to USA Today, “Those caught proselytizing another faith may be arrested and imprisoned. They may even be sentenced to death.”
And now that death sentence could be just from possessing the true Word of God.
