Respect Expressions of Faith

Dear Charles ''Chuck'' Colson,

You say *Respect Expressions of Faith*,but,most of muslim posters including Zebra4(Kurdish Siad follower who relatively knows islam better than you) say *Burqa is NOT islamic mandate*

So,this is the Question;

Is Burqa *Expression of Faith* or anything else?

Solstice, educated, and Bronwyn,
I think you need to reread and understand the question. No one is endorsing burqa's here. The wearing of burqa's is the same type of religious freedom we all enjoy in America.

This isn't be advocated as a mandate but as a freedom someone can choose. If a woman believes in wearing a burqa and chooses to, that is her right. It really doesn't make sense to ban something that is part of a belief system and causes no direct harm to anyone.

Your assumptions about burqa's are a little far fectched. My understanding is they are only for public places. Certainly women who where burqa's can enjoy life and generally don't where them the majority of the time. I also don't see any reason why they would be more uncomfortable than a suit. Why not get them banned too?

You guys might want to look up the concept of Ethnocentrism. If you aren't aware, it means assuming everything in your culture is superior. Most cultures believe it because it is all they know. Certainly this is an area that can use some tolerance. By your examples, someone in another culture may think we oppresive for wearing pants. I think after thinking about it we are all glad that people need to where something down there.

Lets let people practice their freedom of religioun in our own country. It won't help anyone to forbid people from their practices. I do agree we should continue to speak against Islamic governments who oppress people and force them to do things against their own will. That is the fight that will help.

France should outlaw men marrying young models and then divorcing them as soon those models start getting wrinkles and then marrying other younger models.

How many times did Sarkozy marry and divorce young models?

It is a cruelty against women. Women live in constant threat that their husbands will leave them as soon as they (women) start getting wrinkles.

Wrinkle creams and other make-up paraphernalia are a trillion dollar industry in the West.

I am shocked that this column bears your name. What an ill-thought out response to an important trend in which religion,most often Islam, demands the approval of a society to enslave and dehumanize its own adherents. Your views are as unAmerican as they are ungodly. You callously ignore that women enshrouded in burkas cannot feel the wind on their faces or communicate a smile to any human being in public, ever. They are completely withdrawn from interaction with society in one of the most profound apartheids that this world has ever seen. Think.

Do you really expect that your blithe comment that faith must be respected will cover this dehumanizing situation? If these women dare to object to their slavery they will be brutally subjected and killed. They are stoned, beheaded and strangled by their parents and relations every day for lesser ofenses.Do you pretend not to know this?

This devilish attack on God's creation,women, must and should be resisted and the American legal system, with its defense of liberty, and its hostility to the badges of slavery should spurn your easy approval of the infamous. Obama approves of the subjection of Muslim women as a lesser evil to ruffling Muslim sensibilities. His is a heartless and political calculation, but more respectable than your sweepingly banal response that faith is to be respected. No it isn't. It must not do harm. Religion is the first refuge of tyrants and scoundrels. Get your discernement back.

The burqa is a form of dress that is associated with a religion and specific cultures in that religion that have made it their custom to wear it. It is a symbol, of oppression to these poster below perhaps, but as an act of respect to their faith to others. We all have judgments on that which is foreign to us, but we would do better to find, and give, allowance for the differences. It is also a better way to support change, for when allowance is offered there is less reason to defend, and more reason to find commonality instead of opposition.

Support your local burqa!. In a free society, at least, it will advance the removal of that same burqa.

Are you living in the real world? Or a protected, wealthy environment where you go to nice cocktail parties, and your kids elite schools, and all you know are other well-educated, respectful, polite folks. Come down to earth a bit and visit our other world...I cannot believe you defend the burka! How would your precious cocktail parties flow, if all the women guests were wering them, your children's school's, your workplace...go ahead, tell me!
I suppose you willingly allow any heinous practice and its expression in our public places...Is there any practice you would ban? For Heaven's sake! We forbid every inhuman thing, from cock-fighting, dog-fighting, protect every species, protect children and ban drugs that may harm...yet clothe this practice in religion and everyone it all for it. Most of these commentators will not be running into hordes of women such as these on their streets as so feel quite comfortable with the occasional apparition...Thanks alot all you high-minded folks...You are safe knowing you won't have to really live with the consequences...

There is no correlation between wearing a burqa and wearing a cross pendant.

The burqa is a sign of religious oppression of women. Period.

When MEN wear burqas, too, get back to me.