French approve ban on burqas...

Epignosis wrote: I've read that many women do not feel imposed upon at all by the tradition and are actually insulted by the feminist reaction toward it. However, I can see one reason behind the ban: Suppose a person commits a crime?  Identifying her would be very hard with a covered face. However, does this mean it's illegal to wear masks in public as well?  The French do celebrate Halloween, I believe.

I've seen videos of people trying to hide their face with bags over their head while attempting to rob a store. That didn't turn out to well.

I think it is an animal/human instinct to demand that we should be able to see another's creature/humans face to check out if that creature/human being is displaying aggressive or friendly behavior. In short, every single one of us is always risk analyzing everything that comes across us on a street. Human faces is an important part of a risk analysis. This is our basic human instincts.......... as well as the instincts a dog and a cat lives by too. Burkas on cats or dogs will create total havoc in the animal kingdom. 

Hence I support this ban on all veils, burkas, closed helmets and masks worn in city streets. 

I became aware of this risk analysis when I lived in a terrorist ravaged city for some years.

Padraic wrote: I think this is a terrible decision for many reasons. (Teo) What is your view?

I'd be interested in hearing the reasons too.

I'm kind of torn on this though I tend to agree with the ban. It is slightly negative for religious freedom but I can't accept religious ideas that make one half of the population into second-class persons, and that forces them to hide behind a curtain. Maybe they feel freer inside the veil? Maybe. But themandate to wear it is a man-made (male-made should I say) decision, imposition on all muslim woman who wouldn't have a choice not to wear the thing (at least those in the radical exextremes of the religion) so I think this decision is healthy and a steo towards less discrimination.

I think this is a terrible decision for many reasons.

Edited by Padraic - July 13 2010 at 13:51

French lawmakers have approved a ban on burqas, that piece of clothing that covers all the woman's body including her face. Polls show most people in France, Germany, Spain and others approve of a ban like this while 2 out of 3 americans oppose it. What are your views? I'm very interested in libertarian opinions...