Banning religious symbols

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[b]Mr.Jingles wrote:[/b]































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Truth is that religion is NOT the root of all problems as many would believe.
Intolerance is.





























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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Bang on.  If we didn't have religion, we'd have some other way to keep a large portion of the population ignorant, immune to growth, and unable to live peacefully with those who disagree with them on philosophical matters.

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[b]Yara wrote:[/b]































































































































What I DO demand is that I’m accorded the very same rights of people who also make their statements in the public sphere by wearing other kinds of cloths and resorting to other kinds of discourses





























































































































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As a human being I wish you well, but this will probably never happen.  As long as society slowly continues to secularize, the average civilized person will never find it acceptable not to see the faces of their fellow citizens.  I'd like to think the few of us here at the forum represent the generally more tolerant folk in our society.  Now consider the average folk, religious or otherwise and if they'd even give the issue the time of day.  Hijabs, veils, burqas... they don't stand a chance.

[QUOTE][b]Sir GH wrote: [/b]

As a human being I wish you well[...] [/QUOTE]        


I wish you well too.

[handing out a vase with the finest selection of flowers available in the market]

May we shake hands, Sir?

[reaching out my hand]

Don't let me here standing like a statue!

Yara, your last post on page three of this discussion sounds like a response to my last post. If it's not, forgive me. If it is, let me say that post was not directed to you. And if you read my post - any of my posts - you'll see my frustration and label of 'arrogance' has less to do with the wearing of religious symbols and more to do with the surprise some of those wearing them seem to feel when looked at or treated differently. I have never - nor will I ever - condone or encourage discrimination or poor treatment against someone because of the way they look, dress or worship. But I am not a fool and so I accept that certain people - religious or not - will stand out from the rest, sometimes making it difficult for others to carry on as usual - as in my example from a previous post.

The very fact that religion has been the basis for conflict over the centuries should prepare those of any faith who are ultra orthodox for the uncomfortable way others feel around them. It should not, however, allow for the mistreatment of those people simply for the way they dress or worship.


EDIT - And Yara, I have to say if my posts insulted you, that was not my intention and I'm sorry. My only intention here was to be honest about my views  - and to hear the views of others - on what I feel is a vital issue in today's world.

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[b]Sir GH wrote: [/b]

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[b]Mr.Jingles wrote:[/b]































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Truth is that religion is NOT the root of all problems as many would believe.
Intolerance is.





























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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Bang on.  If we didn't have religion, we'd have some other way to keep a large portion of the population ignorant, immune to growth, and unable to live peacefully with those who disagree with them on philosophical matters   .
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But we do have religion and the disturbing part of it is that 'religion' by nature should be peaceful and loving while instead it has proven to be threatening and deadly. I know, everything in the extreme is bad and not every religion or religious person behaves in the extreme. I understand that and do not begrudge anyone their faith. I only complain when one person's faith is permitted to overshadow another person's faith or lack thereof. Religion - intolerant religion - is the root and it's a pervasive one at that, wedging itself into discussions about abortion rights, science class in public schools, funding for medical research and other personal freedoms of choice like wardrobe, diet and life-partner - as if those whose religious beliefs forbid these things should overshadow the non-religious, or varied religious beliefs of others. When you break it down, the majority of issues are indeed due to the religious waging battles against the freedoms of others, not the other way around. So while we agree - and we do agree - that 'intolerance' is the issue, we seem to disagree on the side from which the intolerance comes.

Magicalfreddiemercury:

Here's a vase of flowers for you too. The finest selection available... : )) Now I have only one more left.

I'll give it to...Mr. Jingles, cause I like his avatar.

[handing out the gifts]

I feel like shaking hands today.

[reaching out my hand]

I'll stand here with my arms raised.

******

Note*: I totally agree on these other issues. No religion in science classes, and so on. Allowing people to have their religion and not be discriminated against is one thing; state-sponsorship of religious beliefs or tenets is a very different one, and I don't like the idea of professors teaching religion in science classes in private schools either. 

There's a lot of intolerance coming from the religious field. That's a fact, and I'd never deny it.