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

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Here

I'm not really sure what I think about all this. On the one hand the veil is used as a tool of oppression in many countries, and I'm generally against it on the grounds that if men can't control their lust at seeing women's faces, they should stay inside, rather than making women cover up.

But then, it doesn't sit right with me that women who wear it out of choice are being arrested. Or is it comparable to the choice to become a stripper, in that it may be an OK and not-so-harmful choice to make for the person doing it, but is something that harms other women by encouraging anti-feminist or mysogynistic attitudes?

I'd welcome some more informed views on this...

laptopwieldingharpy it is relevant because it illustrates how people respond to someone being dressed differently. i strongly feel that in western europe people are generally extremely tolerant. it is not just a russia/chechnya issue...

No, actually, hijab does not, for no purpose, mean "all head coverings".

If I managed to believe in God, I would have been Muslim. And having read the Quran in my teens, it is pretty clear that God expects women to cover their heads. As a result, I would have covered my head.

All to say that there is s very good argument to be made that Muslim women feel obliged to wear the hijab.

However, burqa is not required by Islam. It is an abomination born out of ignorance and overzealousness.

Atheist though I am, I'm all for living in god's service. Nuns choose to dedicate their lives to spiritual development and good works - for fellow men, not just for god. They do what holy men & women have done, and continue to do, throughout the ages and in all cultures.

That is not in any way analogous to wearing a face-covering in everyday life; Oranica insults real holy people by pretending to be the same.

For the purpose or is post, I declare apples and oranges to be the same

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

You know very well what I am talking about.

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

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.