AIBU to question religious exemptions and equal treatment under UK law?

Yes.

But no doctrine, no scripture, no leaders, no churches or meeting places other than people's homes.

Started culturally in Jamaica in the 1930s.

But you want us to accept the vague interpretation of old testament verses to justify cannabis use and dreadlocks as to be seen entirely the same as established religions dating back from centuries or millenia ago with clear scripture and doctrine?

You'll have to try harder.

Well hopefully you won't get stopped and searched when in the possession of a bladed instrument then...

I have horses and I use a blade for similar reasons... but I don't need to carry it around the streets when I'm off the farm.

It's very hard to cut open bags of feed and bales for the cattle without carrying a knife. When on the farm a knife goes in my pocket when I get dressed, it comes out when I get undressed. It gets used 20+ times a day. There is no way I can work on the farm without a knife in my pocket.

We must agree to differ.

I am a Pagan and, since many branches of Paganism include a respect for nature, including a belief that nature is ensouled with spirits, some practicing Pagans end up doing rituals and spells on public land. We try to do so as out of the way of other people, and as discreetly as possible - it's not always feasible to do it in our homes, and not everyone has a garden, and it's not as though there are tons of pagan temples around. Sometimes the ritual or spell might be a blessing of the land itself - my local Pagan Moot recently did a dressing of a local spring, which included a ritual.
I really don't want anything that makes the practice of paganism more difficult/impossible.

Same here... but I manage to do my thing without carrying an athame or blade around with me...

Maybe so.
But not in the carrying of bladed weapons.

Rastafarinism doesn't have doctrine or scripture.

It's recognised as a 'Religion' in the UK when it's more of a cultural way of life.

Both should be banned

Oh my.
"We cannot have it".
I can and do have respect. For Sikhs. And Highlanders. And others.
More Sikhs, maybe fewer incels.
'We' should learn from them.

@ThereAreOnlyShadesOfGrey

I don't agree with that level of restriction. Secularism, both in idea, and in practice, doesn't mean that there cannot be any expression or practice of religion "in public", it means that religion must not mix in with government and public institutions - and vice versa, that the government must not interfere with religion.

France has a pretty strict form of secularism, but people are still able to publicly express their religion when out in public, if they choose. If a religious person is working at a particular place like a school, they have to remove religious clothing (and they can put it back on when they leave) - but there isn't a prohibition of everything religious in public.

I am a Pagan and, since many branches of Paganism include a respect for nature, including a belief that nature is ensouled with spirits, some practicing Pagans end up doing rituals and spells on public land. We try to do so as out of the way of other people, and as discreetly as possible - it's not always feasible to do it in our homes, and not everyone has a garden, and it's not as though there are tons of pagan temples around. Sometimes the ritual or spell might be a blessing of the land itself - my local Pagan Moot recently did a dressing of a local spring, which included a ritual.

I really don't want anything that makes the practice of paganism more difficult/impossible.

The Sikhs are epic people in general- agree.
However- we cannot have it so certain groups of people are allowed to carry bladed weapons about their person.
Some Christians have been told they cannot even wear a visible cross on a chain around their own neck,, and yet we have other religions allowed to wander round with knives.
Nope.
( I dont 'do' religion of any name, so I have no skin in this game. Although if I was to go about with an athame on show I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be allowed)

Very eloquently put and so true.

Please do tell me if I’m wrong but my understanding is that they are normally once a few inches long, often blunt and under layers of clothing (so not out or on display). They are to protect others not themselves - the very nature of humanity.

Knowing Sikhs my understanding is that religion is not one where the entice people to join, are very charitable and will defend others.

This isn’t a religion based on large historical horribleness and shouldn’t be lumped into that category.

We are deliberately competent and like to read maps and wear serviceable rain jackets and so on. Iykyk. Yes, sewing fixes when needed in transit.

The sewing basket at home has the proper scissors.

Still not in the street though right? Or do they sew on the pavement? Me thinks you are being deliberately obtuse.

People should not be allowed to cover their faces in public.
People should not be allowed to carry knives.
People should be allowed to do whatever they want with their hair.

Things that are dangerous should be managed by law. Hair should not.

Food-related things usually. Peeling fruit, slicing bread, prising off bottle tops. Gardening- and flower-related. Sewing fixes, unpicking stitching or cutting loose ends etc. Small bits of DIY.

Never snip flower stems with scissors, cut with a sharp knife if you want them to last...it crushes them less so they do not rot as quickly.

Knives have a feminine aspect.

What? On the street? What do they use it for on the street? Interesting

…..not really

Women in my family tend to. It is a fabulous allpurpose tool.

I have a very sharp letter opener, and a Victorian hat pin.

I wasn’t complaining about them covering their head. That doesn’t affect anything. It was the arms that are apparently classed as a serious cross infection risk but doesn’t apply if you say you can’t due to religious reasons. I’m not sure really long gloves would solve it at all. They would need to be removed straight after treatment and their arms would then be on show. Unless you mean they put the gloves over their long sleeves? That would be very difficult as they would be very tight and I imagine when putting on and taking off the gloves it would move their sleeves and I don’t think that would be acceptable.

Yes it is in the UK.

Ok so let’s let everybody carry a knife then…