« Biculturalism | Main | By Way of Explanation »
December 17, 2003
French President Proposes Ban on Religious Symbols
From the Washington Post, Chirac Urges French School Ban on Muslim Headscarves:
French President Jacques Chirac asked parliament on Wednesday for a law banning Islamic head scarves and other religious insignia in public schools. . . "Secularism is one of the great successes of the Republic," Chirac said in an address to the nation. "It is a crucial element of social peace and national cohesion. We cannot let it weaken."Chirac said he would push for a law to be enacted in time for the school year that begins next autumn. Islamic head scarves, Jewish skullcaps and large crucifixes would fall under the ban.
Sigh. Just when I thought we might be able to refer to "freedom fries" as "french fries" again, Chirac has to go make an ass of himself.
For the record, I'm a bleeding-heart liberal secular agnostic. Effective separation of church and state requires the government to stamp out government-mandated or -sponsored religious symbology (the Ten Commandments do not belong in courthouses, for example).
However, governments shouldn't require individuals to stamp out their own personal expressions of faith in public settings.
Posted December 17, 2003 01:18 PM
Comments
I heard this on the TV news. This man is a 24 carat Pratt. These symbols are all signs of what people are. Does he really think that banning these symbols fro public view will make any difference what so ever.
What a dip-stick
Comments by Dave Smith . Posted December 27, 2003 05:17 AM
I love this story because it puts a fork in ass of all those american europhiles who feel that everything in europe is superior. In my opinon, Europe is moving beyond secularism into outright anti-religionism (i invent an ism roughly 3 times a week). In any case, there are several facets to the story that don't get much press, but are worth mentioning.
1)France has the largest Muslim population in Europe.
2)If current demographic trends continue France could have a muslim majority in less than 30 years (i.e. the muslims are outbreeding the "root French")
3)They are assimilation proof.
4)Modern France is a product of social engineering.
I for one am looking forward to visiting the Islamic Republic of France 30 years from now. Arabs famous for their hospitality, and I prefer falafel to overpriced French fare.
Comments by Will . Posted December 29, 2003 11:12 PM