(May 23, 2012 at 5:49 am)Jinkies Wrote: I'm not really seeing the "it's just an article of clothing" argument here. The burqa is a tool of oppression. I admit that it's only a small part of a much larger disease, but I still thinking banning the burqa would be a positive. Any step away from a culture that denigrates and systematically oppresses women is a good step.
I saw an argument upthread about how customs and religion should be respected. Honor killings fit into both of those categories, and I'm pretty sure very few people here respect those. I have no respect for customs and religion except where they provide a solid argument as to why they are worthwhile. (Since people always tend to completely miss the point of things like this, I'm only pointing out faulty logic, not saying that the burqa is as bad as honor killings.)
I think perhaps, you're missing the point on faulty logic, if you admit to a strawman but still claim its a valid point.
To clarify the "just an article of clothing" argument, it would be rooted in golden rule morality.
I would not want a government dictating how I should dress, if I want to wear a ninja outfit I should be able to. From the point of view of the Burqa, while it is enforced in many households, many do so willingly also, and I would not stoop to the religious level and enforce a clothing code upon anyone.
The only question that is relevant to the debate, is whether the Burqa causes harm, and the potential relief of harm outweighs the harm of banning such items.
I dislike Burqa's, I dislike what they represent, but it is simply is none of my business what someone wears. As long as there is provision in their "tradition" to comply with security requirements where necessary, it really does not bother me.
Its a matter of perspective, if they believe showing their face denigrates women, in much the same way we feel covering it denigrates them, its more or less a stalemate in terms of relative morality.
Self-authenticating private evidence is useless, because it is indistinguishable from the illusion of it. ― Kel, Kelosophy Blog
If you’re going to watch tele, you should watch Scooby Doo. That show was so cool because every time there’s a church with a ghoul, or a ghost in a school. They looked beneath the mask and what was inside?
The f**king janitor or the dude who runs the waterslide. Throughout history every mystery. Ever solved has turned out to be. Not Magic. ― Tim Minchin, Storm
If you’re going to watch tele, you should watch Scooby Doo. That show was so cool because every time there’s a church with a ghoul, or a ghost in a school. They looked beneath the mask and what was inside?
The f**king janitor or the dude who runs the waterslide. Throughout history every mystery. Ever solved has turned out to be. Not Magic. ― Tim Minchin, Storm
