Good.  `When in Rome…’

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uh oh. Don’t ride the bus today.

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“It’s better to lose your skullcap than than your skull!”

-Mel Brooks

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Great and I’m happy for that, but just a question…who gets the fine? Who’s name goes on the books as being a “law-breaker”? Oh I see, so the woman is the one who gets in trouble. Didn’t think that one through did they.  She’s in trouble with her husband, family, and her faith first if she doesn’t wear the burqa or niqab (possibly subject to extreme ridicule, even physical abuse) and now she in trouble with society if she does wear it.  Hmm, she has a nice choice now doesn’t she. Wear it and risk getting a fine she can bring home to her husband or father, or go without, and face the consequences for not covering up in her faith. It’s like saying we don’t allow bruises to be worn in our schools anymore. Any child that shows up wearing a bruise will be suspended. (note the child says, “but I deserved it, I wanted this bruise” in order to protect their parents).  We are against children having to wear bruises. Therefore, it is illegal to be bruised in school..and those that show up with bruises will be further punished by the school board.  The burqa is a “bruise” on women.

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The “lightbulb” moment, for most religious people to realize that they don’t NEED religion is the fact that they realize they can do fine, be good people, prosper, and be happy without it.  When will this same “lightbulb” moment happen for most of the women I know regarding marriage?

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I applaud France for this.  The public wearing of a Burqa goes against the secular society they value; they’ve now taken steps to uphold that value.  Vive la France.

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@LisaCanada you make some good points. Also, there is bound to be even worse backlash from Muslim extremists, which could cause civil unrest in Western Europe. As terrible as the ultra-conservative Muslim treatment of women is, perhaps this amounts to pushing the issue too hard. On the other hand, I do believe that the U.S. Civil War was just for the reason of abolishing slavery alone (although, of course, there were other factors) and pressuring/forcing women to wear a burqa or a niqab seems similar in so many ways. Is this a false analogy?

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Or false equivalence?

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Response to LisaCanada:
I’m with you on the marriage thing. It’s a fantasy that gets indoctrinated into women in this country. They’re convinced that their lives are incomplete without a ring on their finger and a man at their side. Do people love each other any less just because they haven’t gone through some antiquated ceremony and become part of a failing institution. Marriage is a sham just like religion. Not surprisingly, marriage and religion are wholly intertwined. Women only need to ask why is it important to get married and there is no rational reason that would make them believe they should.

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Yes the woman would be in trouble from the male.
But not for religious reasons as the tent is not required by the karan, it is just an oppressive custom.
I feel sorry for the women as they are going to get whacked by both sides.  And going to the law about an abusive male just means being dumped into the welfare system which is a different oppression.
But I agree with the ban as france is not asking muslins to do anything special just that you are here follow our rules.  Don’t like it then leave.  In muslin controlled countries they do not say that, its more like ‘how dare you!!  OFF with his head!!!’

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This isn’t a secular law, but one which penalises a particular cultural group (NB not all Muslim women wear these clothes). Therefore I oppose it. It just encourages believers to see themselves as persecuted by their infidel government, hence undermining the legitimacy of secularism. Bad move.

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While I personally think that burqas are absurd and that isslamm is, at best, absurd, and at worst, evil, I don’t think it is the government’s place to tell people what they cannot wear.
As much as I object to religious fanatics trying to control our minds, hearts and bodies, I have the same objection when bureaucrats attempt the same.

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Thank you all for the comments in favour of my own, and also thank you to those who do not agree, or who have somewhat differing views.  Thanks to the society we live in, I was able to make my views known without fear.
I’m too outspoken for my own good, and my first opinion on France’s decision was just that, an opinion.  I do feel that at the very least they are making the best attempt to convey their secular views by this law.  What else are they to do? It’s a hard question, for sure. 
On my second point about women and marriage….well, that’s just the feminist in me gone to far.  I’M SORRY, for that. lol (I had some wine)
I do feel that sometimes women feel like they need to be married, but I’m definitely not against love and/or marriage, for anyone.  If you love someone, and they love you, and you both want marriage…..then CHEERS!! I love when people make their own choices!!!

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