Why didn't Saudi Arabia just exile the Shiite cleric ?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

SMH

[EdwardBernays]

1. That's not how they role

And as they have US protection wtf do they care?

[LiberalArkie]

2. They like a big show.

[grossproffit]

4. Executions are a daily happening in Saudi Arabia.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. But not of Shia clerics.

Provocative and stupid.

[grossproffit]

7. Not to them. Many Sunni's view Shia's as apostates.

Logic defies them. IMO

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. I know...Executing a Shia cleric instead of exiling him was a stupid and provocative act.

Provoking Shia Iran is a lose-lose proposition.

[AngryAmish]

13. Exiling a rebellious cleric did not work out so good for the last Shah.

It is a big drama show right now but from the HOS viewpoint probably correct.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. But the Ayatollah Khomeini was a Shiite returning to a Shia nation.

Saudi Arabia is Sunni. It is not going to be led by a Shia cleric.

[comradebillyboy]

17. KSA has a substantial Shia minority and they are

pretty severely repressed. The Saud family attitude toward Shia Islam is pretty much identical to the ISIS attitude toward Shia Islam. Basically the Kingdom views them as heretics and will kill them if they get out of line.

[AngryAmish]

18. So is it better to kill one man or kill thousands?

That is the House's calculation.

I was sitting in church today(really, my wife drags me along). Three Kings day. So, was Herod right to kill some babies or wrong? Based upon the events of 72 ad, it seems Herod was a good king protecting his people.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

19. The Middle East is a rough place but it is just a stupid move.

Just send him to Iran.

[AngryAmish]

21. Herod or KSA?

Again, from the House's point of view ( which, obviously I do not share but they have it) they have been given riches for being pious but they are also laden with responsibilities. Maintain Mecca, defend the true faith. Maintain peace in dar Al Islam. Shia , as apostates, shun the true way. However, there is a hope of repentance. One guy gins up a Rebellion and the House is duty bound the slaughter the apostates.

So where is the greater mercy? One unrepetant apostate or thousand of his fellow tribesmen?

[grossproffit]

6. "Saudi Arabia's leading executioner says he is "very proud to do God's work" and does not lose sleep

over beheading several people in one day."

[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2966790.stm[/url]

[img][/img]

[Gidney N Cloyd]

20. Call it 'God's work' and relieve yourself of responsibility.

I guess that's worked since the dawn of man.

[romanic]

9. Because SA is an evil theocracy?

Just sayin.

[get the red out]

10. That's my guess

Yep

[Generic Brad]

11. Because he got angry and lost his head!

(I'm assuming the OP was a riddle).

[JI7]

12. because it's saudi arabia

[Vinca]

14. I think they like chopping heads off.

Not unlike that group we refer to as terrorists.

[Warpy]

16. It's a show of force, which is why there have been so many more executions lately

The Houthi in Yemen got them a little rattled, and people in Saudi Arabia have also had enough of them. They're doing what all threatened monarchies and oligarchies do, they're killing off citizens as examples of what can happen to anyone who threatens them.