English school celebrates Burkah Friday...

[Aeson]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Yes, the key word here being official.

As for the Jews, they do reciprocate, they do recognise Christian holidays, and so we should also recognise Jewish holidays. Honestly, I don't see what's so controversial about this statement.

I do not see why we should be recognising muslim holidays when they do not permit Christians to practice.

You're hopelessly stereotypical. Not all Muslims are intolerant. Neither are all Christians btw...

And it doesn't matter one bit. Because either you're tolerant, or you aren't. Justifying your intolerance based on other's intolerance is a surefire way to make sure no one is tolerant.

[Sirotnikov]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
The Sun eh?

No, the dailymail. it is your newspapers. keep up

[Ramo]

It's capitulation when you force teachers to wear a burkha.

There's no evidence that anything like that has happened.

[Ben Kenobi]

You're hopelessly stereotypical. Not all Muslims are intolerant. Neither are all Christians btw...

My last landlady was one, a very nice lady. I'm not sure what she has to do with the thread.

And it doesn't matter one bit. Because either you're tolerant, or you aren't. Justifying your intolerance based on other's intolerance is a surefire way to make sure no one is tolerant.

It's intolerant to expect Muslims to be tolerant of other people?

[Dinner]

Someone should sue claiming the school was illegally attempting to force employees to take part in a Muslim religious holiday.

[Aeson]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
My last landlady was one, a very nice lady. I'm not sure what she has to do with the thread.

Because you're saying we should be intolerant of her beliefs so long as there are Muslims out there who aren't tolerant of Christians.

It's intolerant to expect Muslims to be tolerant of other people?

No... it's intolerant to be intolerant... which is what you are proposing we be so long as Muslim countries are not tolerant of Christian beliefs.

[Ben Kenobi]

Because you're saying we should be intolerant of her beliefs so long as there are Muslims out there who aren't tolerant of Christians.

First off, I think she should have every right and along with those rights come the same responsibility. I expect everyone who is here to abide by the same laws, and that the law should be applied fairly. She should be able to practice her religion freely, even though if she were a Christian in most Muslim countries, she would not have the same rights. I agree with you that we should have higher standards here then they have in Muslim countries.

However, making a day for school and forcing teachers to wear the burkha is wrong. There is a difference between the rights we have and the recognition. I don't believe we should go out of our way to honour Islam until they have shown they deserve the honour, and that means not killing people who disagree with you.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I agree with you that we should have higher standards here then they have in Muslim countries.

I don't believe we should go out of our way to honour Islam until they have shown they deserve the honour, and that means not killing people who disagree with you.

So I'm guessing not stereotyping an entire religion based on a few wackjobs isn't part of the whole "higher standards" bit?

[Aeson]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
However, making a day for school and forcing teachers to wear the burkha is wrong.

Unlink the two actions.

Forcing teachers to wear the burkha is wrong of course. (As would be forcing them to dress up as Santa or wear a Cross as you pointed out.) It doesn't mean that it's tolerant to officially recognize one religious holiday in school, while discriminating against others.

They are seperate issues. Don't confuse them.

I don't believe we should go out of our way to honour Islam until they have shown they deserve the honour, and that means not killing people who disagree with you.

Like I said... stereotypical.

[Ben Kenobi]

So I'm guessing not stereotyping an entire religion based on a few wackjobs isn't part of the whole "higher standards" bit?

There are good ones, don't get me wrong. I've met them and I've known a few.

The problem isn't those folks, but the ones who sincerely do believe in Jihad, and this concept of human rights that we have here in the west is foreign to them. You know, the same folks that say they do want to kill us and that they hate us. Frankly, I don't see the problem as just a few wackjobs, I see it as a problem that has been part and parcel of Islam.

I think how would they would see an act like this, and their impression would not be a kind one.

[Ben Kenobi]

Forcing teachers to wear the burkha is wrong of course. (As would be forcing them to dress up as Santa or wear a Cross as you pointed out.) It doesn't mean that it's tolerant to officially recognize one religious holiday in school, while discriminating against others.

No, and nor is it intolerant to decline to recognise the religious holidays of other religions. It's entirely possible to do things for one religion without disparaging another. Your argument seems to believe that if the school chooses to have a pine tree up at Christmas, that this is an insult to all the other religions. I don't see this as the case.

So long as others are free to practice their religion, and so long as the laws remain the same, I don't see how the official recognition is harmful to Muslims or Jews. My personal opinion would be to add the Jewish holidays, but not all would share my opinion.

[Aeson]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
No, and nor is it intolerant to decline to recognise the religious holidays of other religions. It's entirely possible to do things for one religion without disparaging another. Your argument seems to believe that if the school chooses to have a pine tree up at Christmas, that this is an insult to all the other religions. I don't see this as the case.

Discrimination. That's what it is. And yes, I think discrimination based on religion is intolerance.

So long as others are free to practice their religion, and so long as the laws remain the same, I don't see how the official recognition is harmful to Muslims or Jews. My personal opinion would be to add the Jewish holidays, but not all would share my opinion.

Ah... I see. Since BK likes Christianity it should be officially recognized. Since BK tolerates Judaism, it could be officially recognized. Since BK doesn't like Islam it definitely shouldn't be officially recognized.

No intolerance there. Nope. None.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Kids- it's the Daily Mail. Specialists in exaggerated alarmist bull****.

Can anyone link to a story corroborating that the teachers were forced to participate? And the punitive measures they faced? Teachers get requested to dress up for Christmas festivities, but I've yet to hear of anyone sacked for not doimg so.

[Ben Kenobi]

Ah... I see. Since BK likes Christianity it should be officially recognized. Since BK tolerates Judaism, it could be officially recognized. Since BK doesn't like Islam it definitely shouldn't be officially recognized.

No intolerance there. Nope. None.

I can go to Israel and not be afraid of having my head chopped off.

Really, that's the only thing I have a problem with Muslims, this whole 'infidel' deal.

I'm surprised you don't see things the same way. They are the ones saying convert or die, so why shouldn't I believe them? Jews don't say the same thing.

I was waiting for someone to call me 'intolerant' for treating Jews different from Muslims, and I'm glad to see I didn't have long to wait.

[Aeson]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
I can go to Israel and not be afraid of having my head chopped off.

Can you go to the UK and not be afraid of having your head chopped off? Canada? There are Muslims there too! Discriminating against them is obviously the only way to save your life?

Really, that's the only thing I have a problem with Muslims, this whole 'infidel' deal.

There are Christian groups who think we should enslave all the darkies, or that it's good when gays (or gay rights supporters) die, because the Bible says so. You are saying that this means we shouldn't officially recognize Christianity, and favor other religions over it.

I'm surprised you don't see things the same way.

I can differentiate between individuals, rather than stereotyping them. I'm sorry if such an ability is incomprehensible to you.

They are the ones saying convert or die, so why shouldn't I believe them? Jews don't say the same thing.

What the hell does this have to do with whether or not we discriminate against Muslims in our own countries? Are you running around freaking out that your land lady is going to kill you or something?

I was waiting for someone to call me 'intolerant' for treating Jews different from Muslims, and I'm glad to see I didn't have long to wait.

It shouldn't be suprising that when you say you favor discrimination against anyone in a religion based on a stereotype of thier religion, that someone would label such a view as intolerant.