Women arrested for wearing burqas in France... what do you think?

And yes, some over-zealous English convert calling me "intolerant" to the religion of my country and my entire family tree is downright risible.

Fundamentalism, as defined today, is:

-- Religious fundamentalism is an ideology or philosophy that gives the religion absolute precedence over any other norm. It is usually accompanied by a literal, monolithic interpretation of sacred texts.

-- The belief in old and traditional forms of religion, or the belief that what is written in a holy book, such as the Christian Bible, is completely true

So "forcing others" has nothing to do with the definition of "fundamentalist". Look it up if you don't believe me.

As defined above, a fundamentalist Muslim would be someone wearing a hijab and believing that every word of Quran is literally true. Someone like DarthNiqabi who goes outside covered head to toe in a black binliner with a slit for eyes is beyond fundamentalist because Niqab Is Not Even In The Quran. It is an abomination born out of ignorance and over-zealousness.

That's ridiculoys gorgeous; whilst you cannot have possible met all people who wear the burkha or niqab I actually HAVE met 'little English convert' (WTF Ciote?0 and know her quite well and that she is an intelligent woman who has a very nopn controlling and abusive (and non Muslim) DH. She is not a fundamentalist; that is a specific term for a specific group. As my old religiosn Prof used to say to students, I say to you: 'fundamentalism is a term that refers to people who would use their faith to deny and inhibit other people's rights becuase of it; use it wisely becuase as long as it remians specific it holds power'.

I am not Muslim, yet I can see that intelligent people can form their opwn opinions on matters of faith and that making random judgements across the board about all Muslims is pretty abhorent.

'Is your message basically that ALL muslims and really ALL people who have any kind of organized religious practice should be re-educated to your standard?

'

It's integuing isn;t it? I mean, people going on about fundamentalists and whatnot and yet they are the ones who want their own set of mores to be the ones to ascribe to. That's as controlling as it gets. Me, I like diversity and whilst tehre are women who need support in being liberated from all manner of faith absed (and other based) restrictions, Darth ain't one of them!

Personally lathe Dawkins, BTW: nowt to do with faith (was Athrist when I read it, Quaker now) but the man seemed so very bitter. Why hate anyone based on their membership of side a widely varying group as a mainstream faith?

NAd little convert made me LMAO be cuase I am no shortass yet she dwarfs me

Very helpful gorgeous.....starting wih that stupid sweeping statement about arts and music....

Is your message basically that ALL muslims and really ALL people who have any kind of organized religious practice should be re-educated to your standard?

Very civilized.

Anyone who CHOOSES to wear a niqab or a burka in the year 2011 is clearly not all there.

Muslims need to progress, stop segregating the sexes and integrate; and, along with the rest of the world, start to appreciate art and music and stop spouting their medieval crap.

Everybody should read Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion - the world would be a far better place.

"Intolerant"

My entire family tree is Muslim. Most of my friends is Muslim. I was born and raised in a Muslim country. No problems understanding and especially "tolerating" Islam and Muslims.

Little English convert calling me "intolerant"

In a language you will understand, you call people who point to your fundamentalism "intolerant", much like Israeli Jews call those who point to their inhuman treatment of Palestinians "anti-Semite".

medieval: "primitive" "unenlightened", "extremely outmoded or antiquated" , "having a quality (as cruelty) associated with the middle ages as defined in the merriam-webster

so as we are discussing this on a sociological level, from post quaddrocento Europe, and only taking into account the grecco latin heritage (would not dare speak of judeo christian heritage), I THINK COTE DOES HAVE A POINT HERE.

You know very well what I am talking about.

Saris, kimonos, chef's aprons, even hijab is not a problem.

Not yet. Only when UK follows France, shuns your medieval mentality and bans your medieval clothing.

If you espouse a mentality that is incompatible with your country of origin, your nationality will not save you from the law, naturally.

For example, if your DH decides to follow Mohammad a bit closer and marry several more women, he will have two choices (1) jail, or, (2) relocation. And "But I'm English" will not be a great defense.

DarthNiqabi - she didn't tell you to go back home or anything like that. She suggested you find a place where you would feel comfortable wearing the niqab, as in previous posts you have said you suffered abuse for it.

"Why should you leave your own country?" I don't consider it at all odd. I was born and bred in the UK and now live in Greece. One of my cousins lives permanently in Dubai. Many, many people have left their own countries to go and live in the UK, coming from all over the world. There are many reasons why they do so. Why should you consider it an odd attitude?

Cote is quite right. Each society DOES have rules about what is considered acceptable. I don't see why you find that so hard to grasp, it's hardly a new concept.

The point is that a woman wearing nothing but thong walking down the street would get harassment as well, at the very least.

That should tell you that people are not free to wear what they want, wherever they want. Each society has an unwritten set of rules about acceptable behavior, including what can be worn in public.

There are places where burqas are acceptable (even expected) attire. Maybe you should consider relocating to one of those places, where you will certainly feel more comfortable walking down the street in a binliner.

Yeah? So women can also trot down central London wearing nothing but a thong and a smile, breasts wobbling every which way?

If not, why not?

Pious is not the same as holy. Pious means observant. Holy means living through the spirit. That has nothing to do with western ideals, it's a concept recognised in every human culture of whatever size or importance. So your response is the arrogant one.