OT - France lays down the burqa hammer

[BostonAJ]

PARIS — The world’s first ban on Islamic face veils took effect Monday in France, meaning that women may bare their breasts in Cannes but not cover their faces on the Champs-Elysees.

Two veiled women were hauled off from a Paris protest within hours of the new ban. Their unauthorized demonstration, on the cobblestone square facing Notre Dame Cathedral, was rich with both the symbolism of France’s medieval history and its modern spirit of defiance.

This is sure to solve the problem.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/4788702-418/france-enforces-ban-on-veils.html

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

I wouldn't give France's problems to a monkey on a rock.

 

[BostonAJ]

How about a turtle on an island?

/Must spread rep.

 

[Darkstone42]

What a stupid, unnecessary, and rather oppressive law. They're trying to achieve equality by denying people their religious rights? That doesn't make sense.

 

[pixburgher66]

Wow. It's not female oppression, they're not saving them from some unjust law, they're just taking away something that they believe in. To them, that's basically saying "you're not allowed to wear sleeved shirts anymore, and we want your midriff to be bare." It's like inappropriate exposure to them.

 

[SLY]

Theres a big difference between sleeved shirts and shielding your face. Regardless if it's religious, we wouldn't be comfortable with someone wearing a mask around all the time. It's no different. People's faces should always be visible out in public... And if thats a problem, then they should return to the country that it is a custom.

 

[Rossinole]

Another failure of multiculturalism.

 

[awaz]

wow.. religion causes so many problems these days..

let people believe what they want to believe.. until they start forcing their religion on me i have no problems with anything anyone wants to believe

 

[SLY]

Yes, but a belief is in your head, this is an external element that I believe is wrong. People should not be in public with their faces covered regardless of faith.

 

[dare2be]

Yes, but a belief is in your head, this is an external element that I believe is wrong. People should not be in public with their faces covered regardless of faith.

You've never been to a Renaissance fair...lol

...but yeah, I agree. They could have worded it differently to ban all face coverings/masks, not just target Islamic veils.

 

[SLY]

You've never been to a Renaissance fair...lol

...but yeah, I agree. They could have worded it differently to ban all face coverings/masks, not just target Islamic veils.

Agreed... That would still have a backlash, but at least be more sensitive.

 

[SLY]

And ren fairs are fucking awesome. Which reminds me, they'll be up soon.

 

[dash]

Yet France loves Jerry Lewis...

 

[KillerVee]

It doesn't seem that different than the US outlawing bigamy. For some people, that's their religious right. Yet our government (and the majority of our citizens) feel the need to ban it due to our own personal morals.

 

[SLY]

It doesn't seem that different than the US outlawing bigamy. For some people, that's their religious right. Yet our government (and the majority of our citizens) feel the need to ban it due to our own personal morals.

I knew I'd see you here shortly, lol.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Another failure of multiculturalism.

is this multiculturalism failing?

or is it a protectionist element of government/society pushing back because they all want to preserve a homogeneous identity so in the future they can all continue to surrender together

 

[Comeds]

When I worked at an different location I would stop by a convenience store on the way in there would often be a couple of women with burqas on. I have no problem with it. I can be my normal pleasant self whether a woman's face is completely visible or whether its covered.

It doesn't seem that different than the US outlawing bigamy. For some people, that's their religious right. Yet our government (and the majority of our citizens) feel the need to ban it due to our own personal morals.

lol, as long as its consensual I have no problem with bigamy either.

 

[KillerVee]

So, this issue is really hard for me. I'm not sure where I fall. On one hand, I believe burqa's sole purpose is to oppress women. And we all know I'm not down with that.

I also know that some women in that faith don't believe they are being oppressed. In my opinion, they're being brainwashed. After all, a lot of women also used to believe they shouldn't have jobs because women aren't as smart as men and a bunch of other bullshit like that.

BUT. I don't like the government telling people how to practice their faith. People should have that freedom. BUT when that faith is essentially anti-freedom for women....Jesus, how am I supposed to feel?

I don't know. I'm confused. I need some more time to think. I'm glad I'm not Muslim and living in France. I would hope if the law sticks that over time, younger Muslim women will get the idea that it's not ok to be stripped of their basic human rights and will evolve just like a lot of other cultures have. Maybe this ban is the first step towards it. I don't knoooooooow.

 

[KillerVee]

lol, as long as its consensual I have no problem with bigamy either.

For reals though?

What about all the CHILDREN who are raised to believe that it is their duty to become a multiple wife and that they don't have a freaking choice. The ones who are married to middle-age men in their teens and are never given the chance to decide if they want to go to school or get a job or move away or become a lesbian or whatever?

Those women are raised to believe that what they are doing is right and what they are doing is great. So in their mind, it's consensual. But in reality, they never had that choice. They were brainwashed into believing that was the right way.

 

[KillerVee]

I knew I'd see you here shortly, lol.

And how did you think I was going to side on this issue?