The Tolerant French
June 23, 2009
|
Posted by Michael S. Langston
In what has to be an effort to discuss anything other than the sad shape of the French economy & social issues, today President Sarkozy has given a speech on the possibility of banning the burqa as (article here):
…“In our country we cannot accept that women be prisoners behind a screen, cut off from all social life, deprived of all identity,” Mr Sarkozy said to applause in the parliament’s ceremonial Versailles home.
“The burka is not a religious sign. It is a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement,” he added. “It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic.”…
As one can guess, this hasn’t gone unnoticed throughout the world. In France, it seems moderate Muslims and the majority leftist population agree (here):
Leading Muslims and the media in France here have indicated general support of French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s striking comments Monday that the burqa cover for Muslim women is “not welcome on French soil,” though opinion is divided on whether the president’s cultural stricture should be extended to an outright ban of the burqa for women.
But this shouldn’t shock anyone, as it’s a simple continuation of policies from years ago (here):
A law banning Islamic headscarves and other religious symbols from French state schools came into effect on Thursday, the first day of term.
Of course the French and other Europeans don’t hold freedom of religion or speech to the high standards as the US does, and under their laws, this is well within their rights.
& I do agree that the burqa and complete covering of Muslim women are anathemas to individual freedom, however outlawing religious clothing, on behalf of secularism is not only xenophobic, but anti-freedom to all religions as well.
Basically with this policy, France will demonstrate their belief in a state religion called the state, while all the way, claiming this policy to be pro-freedom.
As with all doublespeak though, people who really want to see the truth, can do so easily.
Categories: International
| 
Tags: France, Freedom of Religion, International, Tolerance
|
Leave a reply
