[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Stu

Your friends, might I remind you, are fighting for this apparent 'freedom'. I don't agree with Burkas. On the whole, like the rest of Islam, I find it to be a fucking joke, but trying to deny people the right to wear them is a bit hypocritical.

I'm also somewhat surprised at the views WOMBAI is expressing. Anybody should be allowed practice a religion of there choice as long as it does not conflict with the interests of others. As much as I despise religion, it's stupid to try and censor there freedom to practice because that's just being hypocritical.

Of course taking WOMBAI's incredible logic, we should also kick out the atheists, because after all, if your talking about numbers and beliefs, atheism seems to directly contradict Britain's, as you put it, 'culture and religion'.

I don't object, in theory, to people practicing the religion of their choice in this or any other country - as long as it doesn't conflict with the dominant religion/culture of that country in the way that the wearing of a burka in Britain conflicts with ours. The wearing of a burka does pose potential security issues, and as it is viewed by many (most of the female population for a start) as a symbol of oppression - allowing it would be as good as condoning it.

How does being an atheist compare with that! What special considerations do they require? People can believe or disbelieve all they like - that is not the issue.

I responded to a poster who implied that our objections to Muslim women wearing burkas etc justified Muslim hatred and retaliation. Most reasonable people would not agree with that. Why should we bend the rules or go against our principles of equality to suit their beliefs? They certainly wouldn't do it for us. We are not the bad guys here - as was implied - we are perfectly entitled to be a little less accommodating for other religions that condradict our way of life.

I am sure you will come back at me with your usual tirade of argumentative rhetoric. Be my guest.