Belgium bans the burqa.

[West Estainia]

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world/belgium-bans-wearing-of-islamic-burqa-in-public/story-e6frfqai-1225860803117

BELGIUM became Europe's first country to vote for a ban on the full Islamic veil or burqa, sparking dismay today among Muslims and warnings of a dangerous precedent with France set to follow suit.

The bill, which also drew fire from human rights group Amnesty International, will not enter force for weeks and may have to be re-examined if early elections are called as Belgium battles a political crisis.

"We're the first country to spring the locks that have made a good number of women slaves, and we hope to be followed by France, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands; countries that think,'' said Liberal Deputy Denis Ducarme.

In the lower house of the federal parliament yesterday, 136 deputies supported a nationwide ban on clothes or veils that do not allow the wearer to be fully identified, including the full-face niqab and burqa.

There were two abstentions. No one voted against.

That's good stuff.

Go Belgium.

[Zeppy]

Which is why, when all forms of personal expression are legal, it should be legal to beat down someone who offends you or is wearing offensive slongans etc

So you support the legality of a miltant religious person to gay bash during gay parades because he/she finds gay to be offense against his beliefs and god?

[Ulu Turan]

they may be fined

[Upper North Yorkshire]

what a pathetic ban, I didn't realise Belgian's were mental. According to the BBC its estimated that there are only about 30 women who wear it in the whole country, what the big deal. if they want to ear it let them!

[Hindopia]

A grand total of thirty women wear the burqa in Belgium.

Even if we jump straight to the dubious conclusion that burqas are a potential security risk and symbolise oppression of women the state attempting to implement and enforce such a law is a total waste of time. I don't see how this could be construed as anything other than a way to take a cheap populist jab at Muslims.

That's all it is. A downside to democracy. When the people get scared, the politicians love it.

[Hindopia]

Which is why, when all forms of personal expression are legal, it should be legal to beat down someone who offends you or is wearing offensive slongans etc

So you support gay bashing during gay parades?

Cat fights could become legal.

[Upper North Yorkshire]

if anything this move has made belgium more likely as a potential target for an extremist attack!

[Hindopia]

if anything this move has made belgium more likely as a potential target for an extremist attack!

If that ever happened, it would just give them the ammunition they needed to outlaw the whole practice of the religion. They know what they're doing...

[West Estainia]

if anything this move has made belgium more likely as a potential target for an extremist attack!

That is sadly true.

[Flameswroth]

I'm kind of on the fence about this one. I mean, I'll say unabashedly that I have no problem with implementing this clear targeting of Muslims. But at the same time, I try to think of other religions with clothing they feel is important to religion, then think of how I'd feel if they got them removed.

If priests couldn't wear those little white collar things because of the law (which cited health concerns or something, but with actual intent to target priests) I would be far less pleased...even though I've never once attended a church wherein a leader wore such a collar.

So yeah, I'm not so sure I'm keen on this. I won't fly off the handle and call Belgium bigots like others do, as it's not THAT bad, but I do find it a little disconcerting.

[Scarsaw]

Europe and its anti-Muslim, gotta keep Europe culture pure, stance is starting to get me a bit worried Sounds like the 20s all over again.

[Ulu Turan]

aa i dont see any problem. this bann is fo the public places only i assume, so the women who wish to cover themselves may stay at home in burka without being disturbed

[Volnotov]

Europe and its anti-Muslim, gotta keep Europe culture pure, stance is starting to get me a bit worried Sounds like the 20s all over again.

Yes, opposing a religion that says unbelievers should have their heads cut off is always wrong...

[Tekania]

Europe and its anti-Muslim, gotta keep Europe culture pure, stance is starting to get me a bit worried Sounds like the 20s all over again.

Yes, opposing a religion that says unbelievers should have their heads cut off is always wrong...

Using the power of the civil government to oppose a religious belief, yes... it is always wrong.

[North Suran]

Europe and its anti-Muslim, gotta keep Europe culture pure, stance is starting to get me a bit worried Sounds like the 20s all over again.

Yes, opposing a religion that says unbelievers should have their heads cut off is always wrong...

I take it that you're in favour of banning Christianity, as well, considering the wealth of atrocities recorded within the Bible?

[Ulu Turan]

in belgium i suppose its not such a problem, the muslims make 5-6% of the population

[Khorata]

Couldn't that ban be racist? Like seriously, my opinion is lift that ban, for [spoiler]France to drop that plan and just forget all about the anti-Islamization plans. Like, seriously, just because a terrorist is a Muslim does not mean all Muslims are terrorists. It is time somebody dropped that wrecking ball on that plan, to ensure IT will never happen.

Just my 2¢.

It's not rascist, stop reading left wing propaganda.

This law isn't targeted against a certain race or ethnicity, thus it is not rascist.

It's certainly not rascist, it's not racist either, but that's a silly point anyway.

It's still discrimination. Religious discrimination. It may not say it is specifically targeted against Muslims, but the fact is that only Muslims wear Burqas, really.[/spoiler]

It covers anything that hides the face, not just burqas.

What if I need to have bandages around my face due to 3rd degree burns?! Will I be refused treatment?! zomg they want to kill me!!!!

I'm pretty sure that's quite a bit different...

It still hides the face. Stick to the law you arnarchistic scum!!!!

Medical reasons easily trump religion reasons in every way.

There is no clause in the law that covers medical coverage. :/

What are you talking about? Not wearing a burqa will not cause your face to become infected. Not wearing bandages can. Monumental difference.

I am sorry sir, the laws the law.

And I assure you, wearing bandages will not be a problem. Fortunately, legislators have more common sense than you.

I got arrested nce for not wearing a seat belt, which I couldn't due to the 5 fractured ribs I had.
But sorry "Laws the law".

And i was just leaving the hostpital too >.>

[Scarsaw]

Europe and its anti-Muslim, gotta keep Europe culture pure, stance is starting to get me a bit worried Sounds like the 20s all over again.

Yes, opposing a religion that says unbelievers should have their heads cut off is always wrong...

The Christian bible isn't much better, and I'm sure the Hebrew bible is really where all the fun stuff is. Quite a few religions have a violent aspect to them, which is usually a result of their creation in a world where such violence against others was acceptable. The thing is, you don't see many Christians or Jews running around with stones!

Islam is the same, and to oppose an entire group because of the actions of fanatics is wrong. It's no different than to judge the actions of all white people because some KKK members beat on a black man, or to judge all Christians because a group went down to bash on gays. Generalization, such as thinking ALL Muslims wish for our death, often leads us to places we don't want to go. In addition, this is more than opposing a religion because of it's values but is more about opposing a mass immigration of a culture that is quite different than the culture of the land. Europe is afraid of loosing their culture and so, like nationalism does when threatened, is greatly enacting all these laws to try and protect itself.

The problem is, and what I am getting worried about, is that this is very similar to the laws and attitudes Europe had towards the Jews who were immigrating to their lands. They also tried to ban some of the practices Jews did to discourage immigration, and I see this burka ban no different. In addition, your attitude alone tells me that the anti-Muslim shift is happening and it won't take long before people take the next step and ban the religion. Then deportation will occur and, if no country will let them in...well...maybe I can add another chapter to my Nazism studies.

[Gravlen]

aa i dont see any problem. this bann is fo the public places only i assume, so the women who wish to cover themselves may stay at home in burka without being disturbed

Why is it OK to ban the burqa in public places?

[Gauthier]

In Saudi Arabia, Bibles are banned; there are reports of airport customs searching for them and destroying them upon finding; no non-muslim gatherings of any sort are even allowed; and non-muslim French tourists have been shot and killed for accidentally taking the road that leads to Mecca.

So, it's fair game.

Before anybody says "Sources?", I'm about to go to work, and I can surely find them later.

I'm not gonna say "Sources?".

I'll just say, "Relevancy?"

The old excuse that the oppressive practices of Islamic theocracies make it valid for secular western nations to oppress Islam in turn.

[Flameswroth]

aa i dont see any problem. this bann is fo the public places only i assume, so the women who wish to cover themselves may stay at home in burka without being disturbed

Why is it OK to ban the burqa in public places?

Because if you're hitting on a chick, you wanna know if she's packing a 'stache or not. Seriously, if anyone's gonna give mustache rides, it's me, amirite?

G-guys...?

[Ulu Turan]

aa i dont see any problem. this bann is fo the public places only i assume, so the women who wish to cover themselves may stay at home in burka without being disturbed

Why is it OK to ban the burqa in public places?

not only the burka- the hijab, too

[Volnotov]

Europe and its anti-Muslim, gotta keep Europe culture pure, stance is starting to get me a bit worried Sounds like the 20s all over again.

Yes, opposing a religion that says unbelievers should have their heads cut off is always wrong...

The Christian bible isn't much better, and I'm sure the Hebrew bible is really where all the fun stuff is. Quite a few religions have a violent aspect to them, which is usually a result of their creation in a world where such violence against others was acceptable. The thing is, you don't see many Christians or Jews running around with stones!

Islam is the same, and to oppose an entire group because of the actions of fanatics is wrong. It's no different than to judge the actions of all white people because some KKK members beat on a black man, or to judge all Christians because a group went down to bash on gays. Generalization, such as thinking ALL Muslims wish for our death, often leads us to places we don't want to go. In addition, this is more than opposing a religion because of it's values but is more about opposing a mass immigration of a culture that is quite different than the culture of the land. Europe is afraid of loosing their culture and so, like nationalism does when threatened, is greatly enacting all these laws to try and protect itself.

The problem is, and what I am getting worried about, is that this is very similar to the laws and attitudes Europe had towards the Jews who were immigrating to their lands. They also tried to ban some of the practices Jews did to discourage immigration, and I see this burka ban no different. In addition, your attitude alone tells me that the anti-Muslim shift is happening and it won't take long before people take the next step and ban the religion. Then deportation will occur and, if no country will let them in...well...maybe I can add another chapter to my Nazism studies.

I would see no problem in the deportation of Muslims and Jews.

I have read the Bible and the Quran. I know what I am talking about.

[Scarsaw]

I would see no problem in the deportation of Muslims and Jews.

I have read the Bible and the Quran. I know what I am talking about.

Yes, but apparently you haven't read a history book as you have no clue what you're talking about. Hitler tried the deportation of Jews, but found you can't mass deport a nation of people because there is no country that will take them. Countries will only take people of their citizenship, not nationality, and so when deportation fails...Himmler turned to the final solution; as you can always deport people to death.

I see a problem in the deportation of Muslims and Jews.

I have read a history book. I know what I am talking about.

[Genyria]

I want to know why I didn't hear this coming. France've been discussing for ages, but Belgium ... where has this appeared from?!