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BBC Headdress controvery update: Beards In Jeopardy
EFL but silliness remains unsullied. Fred, sorry for yet another post on this issue, but this one is so chalk full of rationalizing stupidity that I couldnât resist posting it. It called my name all morning like a jelly donut. I knew its siren call would plague me throughout the day. Kill it if you wish; I have excorcised my headscarf demon.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 Mr Ferry said Sikhs might be able to wear head coverings if they were discreet. He also acknowledged that Sikhs were not permitted by their religion to cut their hair, and suggested that they could wear caps. If your religious believe procludes you from cutting your hair, wonât you have to wear one of those red and white floppy stovepipes from The Cat In the Hat? 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. So any compromise act aimed at compliance will be interpreted as an attempt to skirt the intent of the law. 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. So bandanas are on the no-no list. What happens if youâre just having a bad hair day, are a fan of the Grateful Dead, or are nostalgic for the taste Aunt Jemimah syrup? 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." I am conflicted on this one. I donât really care for that pubescent bean sprout on the chin thing, but this kind of penalizes the followers of the Norse god Odin as well. Also for those youths who can grow an actual beard or mustache, this unfairly inhibits their efforts to buy alcohol underage. Jacques Myard, an MP from Mr Chiracâs ruling party weighs in. "Beards are not at stake because we have young boys and they donât have beards," he said. So the beard rule only applies to kids young enough so that they canât grow them anyway. 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. But he said ordinary headbands, which he described as "invisible turbans", were preferable to traditional headgear. So invisible turnbans are allowed. "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 Huh? He told the BBCâs World Update programme that France was "absolutely tolerant to any religion". Huh? The Sikh angle is a great addition to the controversy. Itâs the inevitable twist to any effort to rein in free expression. Many American companies are dealing with this issue with regards to their smoking policies. There is always some person who wants to know how the new policy will affect those who chew tobacco or use snuff. It is always fun to see somebody with a tie trying to discuss the dangers of second-hand spit. Posted by: Super Hose 2004-01-21 |
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