So, France is moving to join Italy and Belgium to ban the Burka and Niqab.
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Today in the New York Times ran an editorial by the leader of the majority in the French Parliament about banning the Burka / Niqab. His comments were probably the most intelligent I have seen on this subject.
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He stresses that this ban does NOT apply to the Hijab - in which the face is still visible.
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He speaks of the ban as an issue of safety - according to him there have been bank robberies in France by men disguised in Burkas. He also brings up the unique French ideas of "equality and fraternity" and how the Burka / Niqab violates this.
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In discussing the religious issue he has 2 points. The first (and perhaps less compelling) is that the Koran doesn't require the Burka / Niqab and that many Islamic countries ban them in public places. The second if more compelling to me, in that Freedom of Religion does not mean unlimited ability to practice that Religion in public.
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His example is that a "devout" nudist would not be able to walk down 5th Ave. in New York fully nude. Even if that was their particular tenant of their faith. Members of a society have obligations as well as freedoms.
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He doesn't come off as a bigot (but that may be me).