# Are there any places that only Christians can travel to or enter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 11, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790 "2011-12-11T01:43:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/1 "2011-12-11T01:43:51Z")
It’s fairly well known that only Muslims are allowed to travel to Mecca, whether or not they are attempting to make the Hajj or not. Are there any places that only Christians (or only Christians of a certain tradition or group of traditions) are allowed? I know that there are areas in some churches that only clergy are supposed to access (for example, the area behind the iconostasis of an Orthodox church), and that the Temples of the LDS faith are off-limits to non-Mormons as well as Mormons who don’t have the right approvals. Are there any other places? ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/2 "2011-12-11T02:15:34Z")
The inside of a cloistered monastic order? ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/3 "2011-12-11T02:34:26Z")
The portal that leads to the inside of Newt Gingrich’s brain. Edit: I see that this is GQ. Hmmmm. Outside of monasteries (but I think most of them are pretty open), I got nothin’. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/4 "2011-12-11T02:40:29Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > The inside of a cloistered monastic order? Depends on sect, some will be welcoming of visitors (esp. if you’e buying beer, cheese, or fudge). And I doubt the closed ones will welcome in Christian Baptists, or even Catholics/Orthodox etc. who aren’t members of the order. Maybe a place like [Elohim City](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elohim_City,_Oklahoma) or a more closed white power place. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/5 "2011-12-11T02:47:03Z")
For some definitions of “Christians”… heaven? > [@coremelt](#): > > The inside of a cloistered monastic order? Why would you say that? To the extent that outsiders are not allowed, would it matter if the outsider is a Christian or not? ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/6 "2011-12-11T02:53:19Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > For some definitions of “Christians”… heaven? > Why would you say that? To the extent that outsiders are not allowed, would it matter if the outsider is a Christian or not? the OP says “or only Christians of a certain tradition or group of traditions”. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/7 "2011-12-11T03:11:06Z")
I was going to say Mt Athos, but looking at wikipedia, it looks like non-christians can visit with special permission, though only for a limited time (and interestingly, no lady-folks irregardless of religion). ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/8 "2011-12-11T03:29:23Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > The portal that leads to the inside of Newt Gingrich’s brain. **Moderator Note** **Knorf** , let’s avoid political jabs in GQ. No warning issued, but don’t do this in the future. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/9 "2011-12-11T03:44:45Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > …And I doubt the closed ones will welcome in Christian Baptists, or even Catholics/Orthodox etc. who aren’t members of the order… Basically, I think you are latching on to my question. I’m a Christian, and a man, and I’ve been inside a local Catholic convent (though, apparently there are places there that only the enrolled sisters and possibly the assigned priests can go, and I made no attempt to do so). Nobody asked if I was Catholic (or even Christian) or not. I believe (moral certainty) that they would have allowed a Buddhist or Jew to visit. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > …To the extent that outsiders are not allowed, would it matter if the outsider is a Christian or not? Yeah. I’m thinking about places where the person at the gate/door says, “This place is for Christians only. I’m gonna need to see your baptismal certificate or a letter from your pastor before you can come in.” ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/10 "2011-12-11T04:10:37Z")
Even those monasteries which are normally closed to visitors will welcome workmen - and when the lights aren’t working, the nuns won’t be particularly worried about the denomination or lack thereof of the electrician. The right of refuge applies to everybody, as well. I know that Mt. Athos is closed to women, but can’t think of any Christian location which is specifically and under any circumstances closed to “heretics and unbelievers”. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/11 "2011-12-11T04:16:18Z")
There used to be a prohibition on non-Catholics behind the altar at churches (and even Catholic laity needed a pretty compelling reason to be up there), but this may have loosened up in the past 40 years. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/12 "2011-12-11T05:09:36Z")
> [@Krokodil](#): > > There used to be a prohibition on non-Catholics behind the altar at churches (and even Catholic laity needed a pretty compelling reason to be up there), but this may have loosened up in the past 40 years. Going by my church when I was a kid, they don;t really care anymore. I am 29 now, and as a kid my CCD class was doing a play in the church, and the area in front and behind the alter was the stage. If they let kids fart around behind the alter, I don;t think they care much. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/13 "2011-12-11T23:19:37Z")
CCD class 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/14 "2011-12-11T23:34:07Z")
CCD classes are Catholic faith formation and youth instruction classes. Sunday school but during the week, usually at night and for middle schoolers and up. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/15 "2011-12-11T23:45:57Z")
Quick: which C stands for Catholic? “Confraternity of Christian Doctrine” Huh? Nitpick/anecdote: what we called CCD was pretty much Sunday School for me. It was during Mass, for the first 3/4ish, then we were released to sit with parents. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/16 "2011-12-11T23:46:31Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > CCD class 😕 [Conformity of Christian Doctrine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confraternity_of_Christian_Doctrine). Sunday school for kids who don’t go to Catholic schools. I went to Catholic schools, so I din’t have to do CCD, but I’m pretty sure they start well before middle school. That is where you would receive instruction to receive your First Communion, which is usually in 2nd grade (or at least that’s when it was done when I was a kid). ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/17 "2011-12-11T23:52:03Z")
Aren’t Mormon temples closed to non-Mormons? ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/18 "2011-12-11T23:59:23Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Aren’t Mormon temples closed to non-Mormons? Yes, and they are also closed to Mormons who don’t have the right papers (i.e. a “Temple Recommend”, which you can get denied if you are in gross sin or haven’t paid a proper tithe). In fact, I mentioned this in my OP. I will say that this is within a broad scope interpretation of my question, but I’m more interested in places where the criteria is more just being a member of the faith or not. I’m guessing that, other than LDS, the only mainstream Christian groups that I would see doing this are Catholics and Orthodox. Mt. Athos was a good thought - I had heard of it in the past but didn’t think of it during my OP. The thing about no women though changes the situation slightly. Thanks though, it is a good response. ---
**Author:** ![isaiahrobinson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@isaiahrobinson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/isaiahrobinson)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/19 "2011-12-12T00:53:36Z")
There were a lot of them in the past. In cities throughout Spain during the [Spanish Inquisition](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Inquisition) - such as Valencia - Jews and Muslims were ordered to convert to Christianity or leave the country. Even those who converted were often still oppressed or killed if they were suspected of only pretending. A number of the other inquisitions imposed similar rules throughout Europe over the centuries. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790/20 "2011-12-12T01:29:35Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > In fact, I mentioned this in my OP. Crap. I hate it when people do that and now look at me. Sorry. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-that-only-christians-can-travel-to-or-enter/605790.md?page=2)