OK, blogger just screwed me over with a longer version of this (spell checking a link and then clicking on it to change it doesn't quite work as expected), so this is the rough and ready version.
The Dutch government is proposing a ban on wearing burqas in public places just before the election next week.
This is a bad idea for many reasons.
1) it's persecution based on religious beliefs. The law is written to include some non-religious items like covered helmets, but the government's only talking about the burqa and Muslim women when discussing the issue. This is bad in and of itself
2) Such persecution is a bad idea for those who want respect and tolerance for people of all creeds. such persecution leads to marginalisation and division between groups within society.
3) The Dutch immigration minister says that "It is very important that we can see each other and can communicate with each other. Because we are so tolerant we want to respect each other." Respect or lack thereof based upon what someone wears is superficial at best.
4) Most importantly, it's a violation of individual freedom. Everyone should be free to choose what they want to wear. Wearing a burqa, jeans and t-shirt, a suit, or any other garment only affects the person wearing it, and they should be allowed to choose whatever they want. Freedom is easy for the things you like. Your commitment to freedom is tested when you have to stand up for things you don't like.
My position is this: I don't wear or want to wear a burqa, but if anyone else does, they can.
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3 comments:
How about the right to nudity in public? Is that just the other extreme of this case, or is there some fundamental reason why that ought to be disallowed?
I'm going to go with yes, it's fine. I won't be quite comfortable around you, but I that doesn't mean I can stop you doing it.
I disagree, there is some stage where certain cloths become. A shirt that says "I hate niggers" should not be allowed.
Also kinky, wierd BDSM leather garb should also not be allowed in public.
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