Like the French President was saying how the Burka should be banned because it’s a symbol of oppression. But if you ask a Islamic woman, she’ll tell you that it’s a symbol of her faith, etc.
But nuns to wear a nun outfit, I forget what it’s called. And she would also say she wears it to show that her life is to God, etc. Just like the Islamic women.
So if you’re going to ban the Burka in a free country, shouldn’t the nun’s outfit be banned also?
I agree with your point, but will qualify it somewhat. In general, any country that espouses religious freedom and individual liberty shouldn’t be banning anyone’s outward sign of religious faith, Muslim or Catholic.
That said, France does not enjoy a constitutional guarantee of religious liberty and freedom of expression like we do in the US. There is a strong “statist” element that runs through French politics which puts the state ahead of the individual. From that standpoint, the French are certainly more comfortable setting defining limits on what is acceptable within French culture.
While both Islamic head coverings and habits are both outward signs of religious observance, there are significant differences in their cultural and societal message and that’s what France is certainly addressing. I don’t agree with it, but certainly understand it.
Specifically, the history of France is interwoven with the history of the Church. While Nuns are a dwindling site on the streets of France in the 21st Century, they are an intrinsic part of French culture and history. The symbolic message sent by religious women wearing a habit is well within the cultural mainstream (at least historically) for French Society.
Conversely, women wearing Islamic headwear represent a much different cultural message. For many, particularly in the west, female Islamic headwear is viewed not as a sign of faith and piety, but one of gender-based oppression and the wholesale mistreatment of women. It’s symbolic of the second class status many feel Islam accords it’s women. Secondly, it’s a sign of cultural separatism. Whatever the motivation for wearing traditional Islamic dress, it is likely viewed by many in France as a deliberate rejection of traditional French culture and a desire to avoid assimilation and maintain the culture of their traditional homeland. This is certainly a threat to the traditional French view of themselves.
I’m certainly not endorsing the French position, but can understand it. This is what happens when there is no guarantee of individual liberty. Heck, we have enough trouble keeping the government out of our private faith lives even with a Bill of Rights.
)