[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

The debate has got too caught up in religion. I have stated on several occassions that it isn't so much about the religion but the culture and way of live that has resulted from it. If this had originated as a Muslim country - our way of live would be completely different. That is my point. To deny that our Christian history has anything to do with our current way of life - stikes me as absurd. We are what we are - moulded by many things - a big part of that is our history - our Christian roots giving us the identity we have today as a nation.

Guess what, my country(Senegal) is 95 % muslim. Hardly anyone wears hijab, nobody wears Burkha (I have never seen it) Women wear mini skirt, there are homosexuals, women are as free as any western culture.
The Burkha again is a personal thing, believe it or not. Less than 5% of women maybe wear them. Its like in any religion, there are always those that follow it to the letter, more than others. Some even more than they should. Even in Christianity, you will see that. Go see the mormons in the US.

But trust me, most people who wear it, choose to do so on their own.
I lived in Morocco as a kid, and one of our maids use to wear it, as soon as she leaves the house, and we always made fun of her. ANd she was not married, she lived in a apartment with another friend. It was just her convictions.
My point is, its not because people wear something extreme, that somehow, they are oppressed. And they dont force it on anyone.
LIke I said before, I do think it shouldnt be allowed in certain places, like schools, and anywhere people need to be identified, but to the woman going about her day, I dont see what the hell is the problem.