Guest Cerebus Report post Posted January 21, 2004 (edited) From the BBC: French schools law may ban beards A proposed ban on religious symbols in French state schools could include a ban on beards, according to the French education minister. Luc Ferry said the law, which will be debated in parliament next month, could ban headscarves, bandannas and beards if they are considered a sign of faith. But he said Sikhs might be able to wear head coverings if they were discreet. The proposals, backed by President Jacques Chirac, follow an official report into state secularism. Mr Ferry, in a National Assembly legal committee hearing about the draft law, said the definition of a religious symbol in the proposed law was broad so that pupils could not bypass the law simply by deviating from a list of proscribed items. Some Muslim girls wear bandannas to cover their hair as an alternative to the traditional headscarf, feeling it is easier to blend in to the crowd. Asked about beards, as worn by many Muslims, Mr Ferry said: "As soon as it becomes a religious sign and the code is apparent, it would fall under this law." Discipline As the proposal stands at the moment, discreet religious symbols - such as a small star of David or cross worn around the neck - would be permitted. Mr Ferry also acknowledged that Sikhs were not permitted by their religion to cut their hair, and suggested that they could wear caps. Beards are not at stake because we have young boys and they don't have beards Jacques Myard, an MP from Mr Chirac's ruling party, told the BBC that beards would not be an issue in schools. "Beards are not at stake because we have young boys and they don't have beards," he said. "This is more a question of discipline than any religious or political affair but I would say today that we are not facing a religious approach with the Muslims. "We are facing a genuine political policy that tries to enforce their own Sharia Law on the civil law which is not acceptable." He told the BBC's World Update programme that France was "absolutely tolerant to any religion". French opposition Socialists have described the proposals as misguided and unclear. Socialist deputy Julien Dray said: "This is putting a comic face on a very serious issue." Centrist Francois Bayrou said the planned ban as "a whiff of oxygen for fundamentalists" who would exploit it to whip up protests. Thousands of Muslims joined demonstrations across France against the proposed law on Saturday. Many of France's five million Muslims see it as an attack on their religious and human rights. But Mr Chirac's stand reflects popular opinion in France where some 70% of the electorate have said they back a ban on religious symbols in schools. Divisions have emerged within France's Muslim community over tactics. Yep, all these Muslim kids will be leaving integrating public schools into the warm loving arms of Saudi funded Madrassas. Have fun France... Edited January 21, 2004 by cerebus316 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2004 Yep, all these Muslim kids will be leaving integrating public schools into the warm loving arms of Saudi funded Madrassas. Have fun France... Good. Let them get pissed at France for a change instead of us. Maybe then France will be a little more supportive in the future... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2004 Even after reading that three times, I can only say one thing What? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BDC Report post Posted January 21, 2004 Well, can't say it was nice to know France, but hey, not my choice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2004 Oh great, George Steinbrenner bought France. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted January 22, 2004 oh well that means french women will have to shave twice a week now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Olympic Slam Report post Posted January 22, 2004 Let this be a lesson to the world: this is what happens when you open up your borders to other cultures and DO NO preach assimilation. I thought you knew better France? You guys are so protective of your culture yet you open up the floodgates to foreign customs? Foolish; and now France is going to lose their culture and eventually their nation to Muslims and other foreign cultures. Way to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted January 22, 2004 Let this be a lesson to the world: this is what happens when you open up your borders to other cultures and DO NO preach assimilation. I thought you knew better France? You guys are so protective of your culture yet you open up the floodgates to foreign customs? Foolish; and now France is going to lose their culture and eventually their nation to Muslims and other foreign cultures. Way to go. yeah. stupid tolerance of other cultures. when will we learn?!? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cerebus Report post Posted January 22, 2004 We all know they were very tolerant of German influence in the 40s... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zorin Industries 0 Report post Posted January 22, 2004 I have to say I think this is a good idea, as long as it is applied to all religions. I have a firm belief that school is the last place to allow religion to enter, as it can add a number of deep divisions. To use an example, here in Northern Ireland most of the schools are for ethier Catholics or Protestants, as having mixed schools can lead to a lot of trouble. I went to a predominatly Protestant school, a few of my friends were Catholic and they would NEVER talk about their religion as they would more than likely get beaten up and verbally abused. I've seen with my own eyes what religion leads to in a school enviroment and I applaued theses steps to redeuce its influence in the school enviroment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2004 Big difference between having catholic and protestant schools and allowing religious expression. Such a big difference that I say one is ok and one CAN be divisive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Olympic Slam Report post Posted January 23, 2004 I love the message being sent: "Let's have more tolerance for other religions by forcing kids to hide any and all religious affiliation." So wait, isn't this like the don't ask don't tell policy in the armed forces? Could this actually work if it were about homosexuals? "We don't want any trouble with gays and lesbians so let's make it against the rules for students to proclaim or express their sexual preference." If the don't ask don't tell policy offends people and forces gays into the closet, then shouldn't this attack on religious expression be on the same grounds? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Metallica Report post Posted January 25, 2004 I have to say I think this is a good idea, as long as it is applied to all religions. I have a firm belief that school is the last place to allow religion to enter, as it can add a number of deep divisions. To use an example, here in Northern Ireland most of the schools are for ethier Catholics or Protestants, as having mixed schools can lead to a lot of trouble. I went to a predominatly Protestant school, a few of my friends were Catholic and they would NEVER talk about their religion as they would more than likely get beaten up and verbally abused. I've seen with my own eyes what religion leads to in a school enviroment and I applaued theses steps to redeuce its influence in the school enviroment. I've never understood that, is there really a huge difference between the 2 religions? ...and if people were truely religious, they wouldn't go around fighting with others would they? "What Would Jesus Do?" and all that..lol, unless they think the answer to that question is "Kick some ass!". Do catholics and protestants believe the other "side" is wrong and bound for hell or something? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
