How can the French get away with banning headscarves?

[Haggisdj]

I thought that we all signed the same Human Rights legislation? How then can the French do this? There is not a chance of it happening in this country.

[birdie1971]

Sp1814

I agree that due to a lack of consistency, both the Bible and the Koran are open to interpretation. I find it amazing that a book, literately �written� by God, can be open to mere human interpretation ;-)

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The fact remains that some societies (admittedly, not France) do force women to wear the Burka in public. The punishment for displaying female flesh is harsh to say the least. If the powers that be in those societies believe that it is ordained by God that women MUST cover their entire bodies, how can anyone argue that women have a choice in it?

In those societies, it is demonstrable that the wearing of the Burka (or any other full body covering) is done under duress.

I find it utterly impossible to believe that a women would voluntarily chose to cover her entire body with such a garment and view the world through a small perforated window.


An analogy...

Someone holds a loaded gun to your head and asks you to give them your wallet. You give up your wallet. The gunman leaves and is immediately caught by the cops.

The gunman's defence is that you gave him your wallet voluntarily � it was entirely your decision.


How many people would agree with the gunman? After all - literally speaking - he is right; it was your decision and you did have a choice.

[lindapinda]

Birdie...your analogy is perfect..thanx for your input ;-)

[trt]

Would you go to your local corner shop if the women behind the shop counter was wearing a Burka, I wouldn't???

Try walking around in a market in Saudia Arabia in a pair of shorts, you would be arrested.

When in Rome as they say!!!!

[Kromovaracun]

And the wearing of blazers with jeans.

Ahem... Guilty.

What's my punishment?

[ludwig]

I find this a difficult one, because on the one hand it's clearly stupid and degrading, but on the other hand if people want to dress in a stupid and degrading fashion, then that's their business...but enough about blazers and jeans.
Berqas - well, same thing applies really. I disagree with birdie when s(he) says that women must be compelled to wear them because they couldn't possibly do it of their own free will. I think they do choose to wear them, for whatever weird reason they have.

Having said all that I think they're bl00dy horrible and wouldn't mind if I never saw one again.
Here's someone elses opinion that may be of interest.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1195 052/Why-I-British-Muslim-woman-want-burkha-ban ned-streets.html

[craft1948]

I only wear mine for shopping and going through customs....