Ban the Burqa ?

[snooky]

Just browsing the news to see the French have put a ban on women wearing the burqa. I believe almost every westerner would go along with this , what are your views ? In the main i feel the issue is one of security, and what deity would worry if it was worn or not. I'd like to know the origin of this. It seems a symbol designed by insecure blokes frightened to reveal their trophy wife ?
Though i would support a law in this country for some women to wear some form of cover-up, at least till ive had a few sherberts.

[Eddie]

I personally have an issue with it. The problem I have is: that it's hard to justify moaning about religious freedoms for Christians if we don't allow freedom for others. I know that there have been Christians that have been penalized for wearing crosses (BA?), even though the law exempts Sikhs from the offensive weapons act for carrying daggers etc.

I think that the law in France is based on right wing politics not public safety.

I don't know enough about islam to comment on the origin of the reasoning behind the "rules".

[JimJamYaHa]

It was more of a political move than anything else

[Simon-JG-hr]

This is an issue which I have no strong feeling about either way. Though I definitely err towards the 'no ban' camp.

On the one hand, I have issues with people wearing things which cover their face in public such as helmets, masks etc... (Incidentally, I walked past a less than savoury character last week who was wearing a mask like thing). As such, I think that there should be a legal acknowledgement that anywhere which requires people to remove, for example, motorcycle helmets should also be allowed to require people to remove the part of a burqa which covers the face.

On the other hand, I don't believe that the state should be dictating what people can and cannot wear. As the face veil is not, by most accounts, a requirement of Islam, then I don't believe that this should be treated (wholly) as a religious issue. If some women are forced to wear one, then that is clearly a different issue; but if it is their choice, I don't believe that anyone should be able to interfere with that (with the exception of the case I mention above).

I'd rather see tank-tops banned for overweight women and men required to wear shirts before this is dealt with...

[Kdot]

The ban in France as said above was mostly political. Its always easy to blame one section of the comunity for all the countrys woes.
People should be allowed to wear what they want. What next a ban on free speech?
Regarding security issues, treat it like motorcycle helmets where they have to be removed in banks, etc.
Regarding origin there's more than one reason. 1. For chaste women to avoid unwanted sexual attention and preserve modesty. 2. To stop religious guys eyes wandering...

[Mark3142]

I for 1 think it is a great idea. We as a state pander to the minority's to much. When we live/work/holiday is foreign climes we have to abide by the law of the land. People deported for publicly kissing recently springs to mind.
Yet we in the UK seem to pre occupied with the pleasing of all and sundry.
I have served in the Army for over 22 yrs and spent 6 yrs of that in a Counter Terrorist role so understand a bit more than most. Didn't a terrorist escape from a country dressed as a woman in a face veil??
I may be described as an archaic old dinosaur in my beliefs but I'm very proud of my country and what it stands for. Bring back the Empire is what I say

[snooky]

The ban in France as said above was mostly political. Its always easy to blame one section of the comunity for all the countrys woes.
People should be allowed to wear what they want. What next a ban on free speech?
Regarding security issues, treat it like motorcycle helmets where they have to be removed in banks, etc.
Regarding origin there's more than one reason. 1. For chaste women to avoid unwanted sexual attention and preserve modesty. 2. To stop religious guys eyes wandering...

Ask Rooney about free speech. Definitely Burqa's defeat security requirements, you , i , mr terrorist could hide behind one. I guess between Islam and the West modesty in dress code could comprimise, many of our women go over the top Jeez. Seems harsh to hide beauty, if eyes wander, so its nature.

[Tzusskin]

Ask Rooney about free speech. Definitely Burqa's defeat security requirements, you , i , mr terrorist could hide behind one. I guess between Islam and the West modesty in dress code could comprimise, many of our women go over the top Jeez. Seems harsh to hide beauty, if eyes wander, so its nature.

My mum has a saying that fits in here: "once you stop looking, you are no use to anyone"

As for the burqa ban, I am all for people wearing what they like but I do agree that there should be places where covering one's face should not be permitted, such as in a bank or, as has been mentioned, anywhere where a biker must remove their helmet. France has a long running stand of being a secular society and I think that is one thing they have got right. State and religion should never mix and if that means that state run locations are a no go for ANY kind of religious imagery, clothing or ritual then, as long as it applies equally then bring it on.

I am a religious guy (you might have guessed from my avatar and sig where my path wanders) but I would have no problem tucking my Thor's hammer pendant away or removing it and putting it in my pocket should there be a requirement to do so. There is a time and a place for all things.

[Lascaux]

banning burqas for issues of security, thats a completely moot point. and i hear it all the time in this argument,
i mean come on, how many times has someone committed a crime dressed in a burqa...

honestly...

[Robusto]

This has nothing to do with the debate, but it amused me.

A friend worked as an educational adviser in a country where the majority of women wear the berkah (sic?).

In one of the schools she worked in, the Headmistress and her Deputy had more important things to do than to attend meetings at the County Hall equivalent to discuss the curriculum and budgets.

So they sent along two Berkah stand-ins to the meeting in their place.

That story amuses me to death.

[Jacobwaits]

I did have an opinion on this topic but I have forgotten what I was going to say...oh well.

[monkey66]

Worth noting this is nearly an impossible subject to discuss on a forum as it is complex, sensitive and challenging ....not easy to emote in plain text.

I am torn on my position on this but I do think it is reasonable that anywhere one should have to remove face coverings for identification this should apply to all face coverings.


Two ladies in a Burqa ...one says to the other "does my bomb look big in this?"

[patrickspark]

i'm in the live-and-let-live camp

[Jacobwaits]

Just remembered what I was going to say before...I seriously believe that laws should be in place that forbid (with no exception) the wearing of the skinny jean by the male sex and a suitable punishment for those that disobey.


Sorry for getting a little heavy but it had to be said.

[daverave999]

Title of thread should read Burqa not Buqa, what a berka.

Sorted.

What business is it of the Government's what I wear, drink, smoke, etc.
Much as I realise it might used a tool of misogynistic oppression, it's not the tool but the intent that should be legislated against.

Did banning handguns/knuckle dusters/butterfly knives stop people getting killed ? Or are other tools used in the commission of violence?
Did banning certain drugs stop people wanting to get high, or did it create a black market uncontrolled by the authorities and push others to new and unknown 'legal highs'?

It's easy for the tabloid press to go after the soundbite headline BAN THIS SICK FILTH but you can't change human nature.