Conversation corner
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Headscarf
Date2005/09/15 07:30 by: IndependentI would like to know the opinion of European Socialists about the headscarf row that recelently was debated in France.
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Re:Headscarf
Date2005/09/15 12:28 by: GermanInternationalistGood question.
As socialists I think we believe in a politically and religiously neutral state.
So I think one can argue the ban of political or religious symbols being displayed by state employees like teachers, policemen/women and judges.
Whether this symbol ban should also apply to students is a tough question.
I would favor it with the provision, that religion belongs to the private realm and is not for display in public institutions like schools and universities. -
Re:Headscarf
Date2005/09/15 12:57 by: IndependentQuestions to GermanInternationalist
That means none can use a crufix in a school?The headscarf is a religious symbol? There are no "christian"-democratic parties that are in public offices and government? There are no christian lessons and subjects in many public schools? It is not for a individual to choose what kind of things he/she want to use? Isn't the public institutions the adequate place in which we should use our civil freedoms? What is the problem to wear religious symbols in schools, it interfers with someone freedom? I think european countries are going to an atheist fundamentalism! -
Re:Headscarf
Date2005/09/15 15:40 by: GermanInternationalistYes, of course no one can use a crucifix in school. The fact that there are religious parties and people in power has nothing to do with. Obviously religious or atheist people can go to school or university, so they can also hold public office. But they must not infringe on the rights of others by displaying their personal faith or political conviction in public institutions or even government positions.
Of course the wearing of religious symbols in state institutions infringes upon the rights of others not to be exposed to religious symbols in school or university or the courthouse.
And it is not atheist to ban religious symbols in that context. Atheist would be if you allowed symbols or statements in public institutions that would say "God doesn't exist".
Obviously atheist symbolism or expression should be banned in schools, etc. also.
