I thought I'd posted on this before, but I couldn't find the thread here...
Anyway, as of today (or possibly yesterday), students and teachers are not allowed to wear any religious items, like the headscarves for Muslim women and headcoverings for Jewish men. I'm just surprised this doesn't cause a worldwide outrage. There is no chance in hell that I would accept a law like that. It's undemocratic. It violates the freedom of religion. It's insane, that's what it is.
People have gotten so carried away with being "liberal" and fighting religious extremism that they've failed to notice the anti-religious extremism. I'm not sure about the crosses (which are also forbidden from wearing in schools), but the headcoverings for Jews and Muslims must be worn by religious law. I've never fully understood the claim in favour for the ban but it's something to do with not imposing religion on the secular French schoolgoers. Yeah, by imposing secularity! Is this insane or is this not insane? France is going down a dangerous road...

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hummm sorry to say this. but i agree with franch on this one
i am for the banning of headscarves for Muslim women

they don't live in the middle east anymore. and extremist shoudn't be like that in a other country then in the country it is used by everyone

hope i didn't make you angry now freeyourmind

but thats just the way i think about it

I'm not angry. I just think it's insane. Why do head-scarves constitute extremism? These women choose to wear them! Extremism is telling people what they can or can't do to themselves in the name of religion. It's like telling Christians that they can't go to church or something. You can't outlaw religion just becuase you don't believe in it. Freedom of religion is a vital part of democracy.

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most are forced to wear those stupid blankets around there head
whats so bad about showing your hair. do they think they all got flee's or something ?

most woman that wear headscarves are mostly forced or raised with it

i think just allow them to wear it if they like it. when they don't whant it. don't force them to wear it !!!

Muslim headscarves, Sikh turbans, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses which are among the visible religious symbols that will be prohibited do not pose a threat to public health, order or morals, they have no effect on the fundamental rights and freedoms of other students, and they do not undermine a school’s educational function. Therefore, I think the headscarf ban in wrong...

Some in France have used the headscarf issue as a pretext for voicing anti-immigrant and of course also anti-Muslim sentiments. Some arguments appear to be based on the premise that all Muslims want to oppress women which is not true in my opinion, or that women and girls who choose to veil do not understand women’s rights.

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In my high-school, we weren't allowed to wear hats. We weren't allowed to wear head-scarfs, and we weren't allowed to wear those round jewish thingies . Now, I'm very liberal, and very much for a constitution that supports religious beliefs, even though I myself am anti-religious.

In our school they believe that people should not wear hats and stuff out of respect for the teachers, you don't wear hats in class because of respect for the teacher. In this case, I have no problem with the restrictions they try to put down, because it is not a restriction intented on restriction others on religion, but rather just trying to make sure people don't start wearing silly caps. To make sure there is no discrimination, all head-cloths were banned. Logically.

France. Now, personally, in my view of religion, I could not agree more, and I agree that religion should be banned all together. However, in a liberal view, I believe we should allow people to believe as they want to believe (after all, maybe we are wrong and God does exist!).

Now, if they are basing the ban of headscarfs on religious aspects, but I do believe there is another side to the story (at least for headscarfs for female muslims), as their face is covered up for a large portion. I'm not allowed to wear a clown's mask into a bank either, even though I may have a religion that forces me to follow it.

When does the right to express your religion end, and the rest of society continue?

Mr U

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In Norway the muslims are allowed to youse the head scarf, but the other students are not allowed to have things on their head! Maybe I have started my own religion, lets say it is called " John`s friends ", a religion where everybody has to wear a baseball cap.... it is just as stupid as the head scarf thing!!!!!!!

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Watch it, Freddy. Those 'stupid blankets' are an expression of their religion.

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Sorry to go against the flow but the head scarf isn't, I amled to believe, actually a religious requirement of Muslim women, it is a purely cultural garment, much the same as wearing a football shirt when visiting Old Trafford for instance. This therefore makes it different from sikh turbans or jewish skull caps

I agree that the headscarf has become synonymous with muslim women, but i believe that, as long as the rule is applied to all non-religion required cultural clothing, eg crosses etc then the french government is within its rights to introduce these laws.

I feel this is another case of when in Rome. I am not racist and if this comes across this way I'm sorry, but alot of people move to places like western europe seeking the cultural affluence and freedoms these places offer, wihout wanting to be a part of them or contribute to them. Anyone who comes to my country for instance, and has something to offer and endeavours to make the country a better place to be is more than welcome. Its the minority who come and then expect the rest of society to conform to and support them, whilst they seek to destroy the culture they've joined who both confuse me and fustrate me

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Undemocratic maybe, but I never thought France was all that "democratic" anyways.

I remember hearing about ths a while back though...

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oh oke. i just find them stupid. whats so bad about showing your hair