# Top Religious Leader of Saudi Arabia bans Chess **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 22, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892 "2016-01-22T18:04:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![A\_isha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@A\_isha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_isha)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/201 "2016-01-25T14:16:02Z")
Oh look. This thread again. ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/202 "2016-01-25T14:39:08Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > Another slow one. This point has been discussed long ago. Islamic preachers have influence even if they don’t have any formal authority. Really. And who would think that less than 48 hours ago you were all imans, shemans, they’re all just priests. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/203 "2016-01-25T14:53:28Z")
Irrelevant . I want to hear you try to justify the example that Muhammad sets through the life he led. Please proceed. ---
**Author:** ![A\_isha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@A\_isha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_isha)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/204 "2016-01-25T14:59:49Z")
Go back and read the many responses to **Robert163** back when he tried the same bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/205 "2016-01-25T15:05:17Z")
I don’t want to wade through six pages of “haha Muslims are stupid and evil,” so can anyone just tell me what this dude’s problem with chess is? Other than the apparently unsupported idea that people are gambling on it, that is (which is especially ironic given the Saud’s predilection for horse racing). ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/206 "2016-01-25T15:07:46Z")
No . I’ve specified explicit examples that are not controversial from Muhammad’s life. If you can’t accept the actions of the founder of the religion as representative of the religion then there’s no argument to be made . Since no one wants to address this I will assume you have no good answers . ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/207 "2016-01-25T15:15:17Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > Irrelevant . I want to hear you try to justify the example that Muhammad sets through the life he led. Please proceed. Oh, you got me there. I’m simply devastated. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/208 "2016-01-25T15:20:31Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I don’t want to wade through six pages of “haha Muslims are stupid and evil,” so can anyone just tell me what this dude’s problem with chess is? Other than the apparently unsupported idea that people are gambling on it, that is (which is especially ironic given the Saud’s predilection for horse racing). One wag tweeted, “Saudi mufti has declared chess haram. Apparently this game makes you use your brain, and this is haram!” I haven’t seen anything reported that there’s more to it than (1) equating chess with gambling; and (2) generally wanting to declare that things people like are haram, so as to remain relevant and edgy ala the Westboro Baptist Church. Chess has been the occasional target of fanatics. IIRC, it was briefly banned in Iran after the revolution. Notably, this was an answer on a call-in show in which he issues spontaneous fatwas. Like the 700 Club, but with a religious police force. ---
**Author:** ![A\_isha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@A\_isha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_isha)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/209 "2016-01-25T15:50:43Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > No . I’ve specified explicit examples that are not controversial from Muhammad’s life. If you can’t accept the actions of the founder of the religion as representative of the religion then there’s no argument to be made . Since no one wants to address this I will assume you have no good answers . Or I _just spent_ a whole lot of time and effort in several [recent](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=768070) [threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=773888) right here on this forum addressing those _exact same accusations_, and don’t really feel like repeating myself every couple of months every time some random idiot repeats the exact same anti-Islam talking points as every other Islamophobe before him. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/210 "2016-01-25T15:57:06Z")
For the record, **coremelt** is a religiophobe, not specifically an Islamophobe. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/211 "2016-01-25T16:05:43Z")
> [@](#): > > . . . calling it a waste of time and money that creates hatred between players. This man is perfectly right. [My evidence](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/tenant-cuts-open-dublin-landlord-heart-chess-fight-article-1.1578662): [QUOTE=Irrate chess player] He claimed to officers that he had cut open O’Gorman’s chest and tried to eat his heart after a dispute over a move in a chess match the two had been playing. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/212 "2016-01-25T16:22:18Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > who cares what you see or not? You are an idiot who thinks himself clever and smart. Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/213 "2016-01-25T17:22:07Z")
This thread is a perfect argument against any religious doctrine. Given the nasty give and take here, it’s no wonder that millions have died because of religious ideologies carried to extreme. Amazing that a couple of fanatics from centuries ago managed to spark such hatred. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/214 "2016-01-25T17:30:50Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > This thread is a perfect argument against any religious doctrine. Given the nasty give and take here, it’s no wonder that millions have died because of religious ideologies carried to extreme. Amazing that a couple of fanatics from centuries ago managed to spark such hatred. Odd conclusion from a thread that is mostly atheists arguing. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/215 "2016-01-25T17:44:18Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > And a better article than the dumb New York Times article - [The Guardian notes](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/21/chess-forbidden-in-islam-rules-saudi-arabia-grand-mufti) that the opinion was in all appearances even just single advisory (a stupid, single advisory) > > > [@](#): > > > > Muslim scholars tend to place chess, a skill-based game, in a different category from games of chance, such as dice, but frown upon it if it distracts a person from performing the five daily prayers. Placing bets under any circumstances is forbidden. > > What this should say is the conservative scholars, but these people do not like people doing anything but praying all day - their attitudes are like the Haredim. How long can it take to do 5 prayers anyway? Why can’t I be distracted between prayers 4 and 5? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/216 "2016-01-25T18:03:47Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > How long can it take to do 5 prayers anyway? Why can’t I be distracted between prayers 4 and 5? As a non-Muslim (but lived in the Middle East for 4 years), the ‘prayers’ are actually performed 5 times during the day, not 5 “prayers” (as Christians define them–it’s not like having to say five Our Fathers during a 24 hour period). That is the purpose of the minarets and the call to prayer; to remind Muslims that it is time to pray. So the Mufti’s logic (such as it is and what there is of it) is that chess-playing fanatics (and really, is there any other type?) would ignore the ‘calls to prayer’, thus not performing their solemn duty as Muslims and imperiling their immortal souls (YMMV). ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/217 "2016-01-25T18:30:08Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > For the record, **coremelt** is a religiophobe, not specifically an Islamophobe. Not true. I regard all religions with skepticism, but I respect Buddhists, moderate Jews, Sikhs, Druze, Jains and Zoroastrians (yes they still exist, in India and Iran) for their moral integrity amongst the majority of their followers. No one has argued with my summary of the life of Mohammed, namely “He conquered a bunch of cities killing thousands, killed prisoners who had surrendered to him, took thirteen wives for himself while limiting his followers to only four and lastly married a 7 year old and then consummated the marriage when the girl was 10 years old.” So I assume you accept these as true. Those of your arguing with me who are Muslims know damn well that the life of Mohammed is pretty unpalatable to western sensibilities so you try to deflect or accuse me of being a bigot. The truth is, the example he sets with his life is repellent to most people not born in islamic culture, and this person should not be a moral compass and an example of moral practise to a billion people. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/218 "2016-01-25T18:57:50Z")
I bet it’s really warm and cozy that far up your own ass. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/219 "2016-01-25T18:59:17Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I bet it’s really warm and cozy that far up your own ass. Yes thanks I’m enjoying it. Do you have anything intelligent to add to this discussion? ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892/220 "2016-01-25T18:59:55Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > So I assume you accept these as true. Okay, you win. Just kidding. You’ve been pointed to threads where these issues have been discussed. If no one wants to respond to you here, it’s because you bring all of the nuance of talk show radio to the discussion, and demonstrate the reasoning skills of a small hippo dropped on his head at birth. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-religious-leader-of-saudi-arabia-bans-chess/743892.md?page=12)