Banning the Burqa and the veil.
by Liv | Published on April 30th, 2010, 11:35 am | News
Something we've been following in our house lately is the Belgians' and the French efforts to ban the burqa or the veil. There argument is it denies a woman her humanity, her rights as a human being. Today, the Belgian law made it through and passed one part of Parliament awaiting approval from upper parliament.
Shall be punished by a fine of five euro and twenty-five dollars and to imprisonment for one day to seven days or one of these penalties, who, unless otherwise provided by law, occur in places publicly available face hidden or concealed in whole or in part, in such a way that they are not identifiable, "
Seront punis d’une amende de quinze euros à vingt-cinq euros et d’un emprisonnement d’un jour à sept jours ou d’une de ces peines seulement, ceux qui, sauf dispositions légales contraires, se présentent dans les lieux accessibles au public le visage masqué ou dissimulé en tout ou en partie, de manière telle qu’ils ne soient pas identifiables cite
We've had a lot of discussions here in our own house over the burqa. For instance, while I agree that this is the right thing to do, one must wonder why here in "Christian America" we didn't ban it first? Is it because we're too scared of losing our religious symbolisms (cross, etc.) Isn't that somewhat counter-intuitive to the religion that the majority of Americans subscribe to. Our own greed prevented us for standing up for others rights?
Also I'm really wondering (and hoping there isn't) retaliation for this law against the nations of France and Belgium.
Lastly it makes me wonder about Christian missionaries who go to Islamic countries and must covertly pretend to be "homeschoolers" and/or adhere to wearing a burqa. Isn't that sort of "pretending" to be another religion just to convert others? Seems almost like being anti-proud, or guerrilla religious warfare? Shan suggest it's more of a cultural symbol than religious. I think the burqa, religion, and culture in many countries are very intertwined.
Lastly, I'm guessing many of the women who wear burqas won't want to not wear one based on their own beliefs no matter what.
So I guess here's my question. I wonder if the American populous would support a ban on the burqa if it didn't mean a ban on Christian symbols? Then what if it did? Things that make you go hmmmmm!!!!!!!!
