Freedom of Religion or...

**DJ Ms. White** · 07-13-10, 10:31 AM

France's lower house of parliament has approved a ban on wearing the Islamic full veil in public.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10611398.stm

So, do you think this is government going too far or is it justifiable?

I'm personally leaning towards justifiable as the burka/niqab are cultural requirements and not religious ones.

**Consultant** · 07-13-10, 10:33 AM

Eek....that's going too far I think. It was that kind of religious persecution that pushed the Mayflower across the Atlantic.

**Consultant** · 07-13-10, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. White

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10611398.stm

So, do you think this is government going too far or is it justifiable?

I'm personally leaning towards justifiable as the burka/niqab are cultural requirements and not religious ones.

What other cultural fashion choices could justifiably be banned? Lots of people wear the Star of David around their necks...or the Cross. I just think it crosses a line that is best left alone if France portrays itself as a free thinking country.

**Alundil** · 07-13-10, 10:49 AM

I am torn on this one - mainly as I see that certain applications of the ban would be justifiable. To whit, if I recall correctly, much of this started over woman(en) refusing to remove the veil during photos for official identification cards (though it is possible that I am confusing/joining two separate stories) such as a drivers license. The absurdity of posing for an identification card but at the same time not identifying yourself on said card was one of the items that kicked this into high gear. Add to the fact that the population of France is becoming less tolerant towards a community that has shown itself (at least in France) to be largely intolerant. I think that this is much like "Good for the goose, good for the gander."

I do see where this could become slippery to a very negative extreme though.

**DJ Ms. White** · 07-13-10, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Consultant

What other cultural fashion choices could justifiably be banned? Lots of people wear the Star of David around their necks...or the Cross. I just think it crosses a line that is best left alone if France portrays itself as a free thinking country.

Aye, but stars of David don't impede your ability to drive or be identified like the full veils do.

**CanadianPersian** · 07-13-10, 10:52 AM

who is the government to tell an individual what he/she could wear or could not wear? where does one draw the line? this is completely over the line in my opinion. and this is coming from someone who doesn't believe in religion.

the government has no business regulating individual preference that don't affect other people directly. you don't like seeing a hajab? tough shit. deal with it.

that would be like banning the confedarate flag because it's insulting to some people.

**Thorsen** · 07-13-10, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by CanadianPersian

who is the government to tell an individual what he/she could wear or could not wear? where does one draw the line? this is completely over the line in my opinion. and this is coming from someone who doesn't believe in religion.

the government has no business regulating individual preference that don't affect other people directly. you don't like seeing a hajab? tough shit. deal with it.

that would be like banning the confedarate flag because it's insulting to some people.

100% agree.

**Consultant** · 07-13-10, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. White

Aye, but stars of David don't impede your ability to drive or be identified like the full veils do.

You make a good point.

Here's an honest question though...traditionally - in Islamic culture, are women allowed to drive? I always thought that they were pretty subjugated and kept from most of those kinds of things. Walking 10 feet behind their man, wearing the full regalia, not talking in public, etc...Maybe I am confusing the Sharia law with common Islam. I am not an expert.

Certainly...requiring them to show their face for identification and in cases where the garb impedes safety is one thing...but an outright ban would be questionable IMHO.

**deputyfestus** · 07-13-10, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Consultant

What other cultural fashion choices could justifiably be banned? Lots of people wear the Star of David around their necks...or the Cross. I just think it crosses a line that is best left alone if France portrays itself as a free thinking country.

This is cultural fashion for some people but I don't condone the wearing of this either.