Ban the Burkha facebook campaign

[Rivercam]

I have just looked at my facebook page and someone has posted a 'Ban the Burkha campaign from Britain First. I've never heard of these before. I felt unnerved by it (As I do with any apparent far-right, or even semi-far right organisations).

(I don't have any problems with burkhas so long as the women wearing them are happy to wear them, and not forced to do so).

It'll never happen in the UK so I wouldn't worry about it.

Social pressure in a predominantly 'old-fashioned' muslim dominated community could be seen as making women from that community feel obliged to use a veil, hijab or burkha.

Britain first are fascists
I judge my Facebook friends hugely if they like or share anything by these clowns

I cant stand Britian First but I agree with banning the Burkha, if i cant walk down the road wearing a full face balaclava I don't see why another group should be aloud to cover there face in public?

I've never heard of Britain First, but yep - I'd happily ban the burkha. No place for it in the 21st century.

Territt16 - why do you want to walk down the road wearing a full face balaclava? Do you feel the cold terribly?

Ohmygrood, I dont really, but I dont see why I should be allowed to if the burkha is allowed?

You are allowed to Territt (aren't you?)If you're walking around with a full sized baseball bat or an kalashnikov as well, then that would be why you'd then be qustioned about the balaclava.

I do think face veils should be banned in court, through customs, and at other times/places where one has to think of the greater good of society above one's own choices.

Britain First uses facebook posts as a political weapon, to mislead people into thinking they are an acceptable organisation.

What makes you think you can't wear a full-face balaclava? I support your right to do so

It's bizarre how much people care about what other women are wearing. WTF difference does it make to you?

Tbh if you arent allowed to wear a full face balaclava and that is important to you i'd rather you fought to secure your right to do it rather than seek to remove the rights of another that have no effect on you whatsoever.

Have you a petition to sign for your campaign to legalise the balaclava?

Is it illegal to wear a balaclava?
It's probably not a great idea to walk around Tescos in one (unless you enjoy being followed by the security guards) but I can't see why a stroll down the road wearing one would be a problem.

The police can ask you to remove a face covering but of course you can wear a balaclava. The change was brought in by Teresa May due, in part, to EDL protests. Many of whom wear balaclavas to avoid identification when engaging in illegal activities.
The ski resorts of Scotland would have a problem with any anti-balaclava law.

Well there you go territt you can wear your bala to your heart's content. Can we leave burkhas alone now?

Why are people so keen to defend the burka? I get that the motivations of Britain First and I are probably not aligned on this, but I find it offensive. It's a repulsive symbol of misogyny, and it offends me as much as the "laddish" 'rape her' t shirts that are produced. It's saying women are sexual objects.

I'm not campaigning to ban it, but I'm not going to defend it either.

Well some women make a perfectly free choice to wear it. It's not always a symbol of oppression.

Not a sign of oppression? Really?

Ask yourself this. If some bloke tried to start a cult nowadays which involved covering women and girls from head to toe, and shunning or attacking them if they didn't, what do you think we would say to him?

The burkha contributes FA to society or the progression of women in the 21st century. If any woman believes it's her choice to wear the burkha then she has been well and truly brainwashed.

It's not the only culture that involves the covering of the head/hair. I have bigger things to worry about than people who know their own minds deciding to dress in a certain way.
I thoroughly disagree with women being forced to wear it and forced not to wear it.

I fundamentally disagree with the concept of the burkha, and feel similarly to SirChenjin.

However, I would never support a ban. This would simply place the state in the role of the oppressor. The state should not be allowed to tell women what to wear.

I want to live in a society where there are things I disagree with- it's similar to the old adage "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

The burka is not just the head/hair. That would be a hijab. That is not what is being discussed here. (Though my mum and later my sisters and I campaigned against wearing head coverings in our own churches...so I do understand the point you are trying to make.)

I disagree. I think that it is the place of the state to intervene when people (usually women and girls, funnily enough) are being oppressed in the name of religion.

Sorry, I meant we're discussing the burka (full body and face covering) not just the hijab (hair/head). :)

The state can intervene without banning the burkha though, SirChenjin.

In fact, banning the burkha would be a lazy, knee-jerk reaction which would do very little for those women who are oppressed. Where is the support? The refuges? The education? The resources to support oppressed women? The legislation to stop men oppressing women?

Banning an item of clothing would not achieve liberation for anyone; it would just change the name of their oppressor.

Not at all. The state can and should take a stand by banning the burkha, making it clear that the UK does not welcome, support or recognise symbols of religious oppression. Far from being a lazy knee jerk reaction it sends a very clear message to those intent on keeping women and girls separate from the rest of society that this garment does not contribute to progress in any way.
I agree that other support should be put in place, absolutely - but the 2 approaches should go hand in hand.

I can't agree with that.

What other forms of religious dress do you think should be banned?