Atheist AI researcher turns down invitation to speak at Saudi Arabia univ with nice reply. Link.

[op2]

I have a close friend who speaks there regularly.

If he's getting paid for it then it's blood money that's coming at the expense brutally repressed people. How does he live with himself taking money from such people?

 

[op2]

This thread is surreal. I thought few would care much one way or the other since the guy is an atheist sticking up for other atheists but I didn't expect outright support for Saudi Arabia.

If atheists being treated terribly isn't enough to move you how about women? You've all got mothers and sisters and wives and daughters. And Saudi Arabia treats women like farm animals.

 

[Mntneer]

Since the entirety of the board reds have responded in support of this individual, I assume you all have not paid attention to my posts on Saudi as I frequently go there. The King disbanded the Mutawa (Religious Police) or at least significantly reduced their overreach and influence. They are completely hands off with westerners now and we are advised if approached to ignore them. All of you who preach tolerance have shown a significant intolerance to their beliefs and culture. It would seem when dealing with the hierarchy of liberal ideals, religious tolerance falls lower on your scales of behavior. It would seem your tolerance of Muslim faith and beliefs only extends to the point of being intolerant to Christian held beliefs.

Tolerance scale:
Atheism>Islam>Christian

Do I have that right?

I'd still be a little nervous about it, but I've never traveled there before either.

 

[CAJUNEER_rivals]

If he's getting paid for it then it's blood money that's coming at the expense brutally repressed people. How does he live with himself taking money from such people?

That's so stupid it's not even worth commenting on.

 

[DvlDog4WVU]

The difference is he could be arrested there for his belief there is no God and I'm sure he tolerates religion where he can't be arrested.

About as likely as you being arrested for having sex in a non-missionary position in some states of the US. In essence, there really is no fear it of it actually happening.

 

[op2]

About as likely as you being arrested for having sex in a non-missionary position in some states of the US. In essence, there really is no fear it of it actually happening.

Only because he is invited there to speak on AI and will be expected to speak only on AI. Saudi Arabia really does execute people for being atheist. Really. This one is just last month.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...bia-sends-atheist-death-renouncing-Islam.html