French government bans burqas.

[lrh9]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39175408/ns/...ws-europe/

The article is misleading, it gives the impression that the law specifically bans the burqa and niqab.

When you get a copy of the law, then we can talk about who is being misleading. However, if the article is correct about the laws implications and punishments my point still stands. Namely, if you read the last few sentences you can see the law is discriminatory if you aren't prejudiced against Muslim people. Women who wear the garb will be required to undergo citizenship classes. This is blatantly discriminatory language. "If you are a Muslim person who chooses to wear the garb you are not a citizen of France until you stop wearing it, and we are going to fine you and force our 'citizenship education' on you until you change."

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Its partly about security, at least one known terrorist has tried to escape by wearing one.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6378863.stm

They are a very effective disguise and in this time of hightened security, when I cant wear a hoodie down my local supermaket because it obscures my face, then they should be banned from public areas.

I agree in principle that nondiscriminatory laws in the public interest can supersede religious liberties. Someone else has used this argument in this post. In the United States the precedent is used to ban the religious practice of a small group of people who use the handling of venomous snakes as part of their religious ceremonies. It is justifiable to prohibit untrained handlers from handling venomous snakes because some might escape and harm or kill people.

I've all ready responded to the argument and made a case that the law, no matter how intended or veiled to be nondiscriminatory, does contain discriminatory language.

Its also about perception and intimidation, I'd feel uncomforatble if I was surrounded by a gaggle of nuns and they arent members of a religion that regularly blow themselves up to kill as many people as possible.
I know not all burka wearing women do that but some do.

http://freeinternetpress.com/story.php?sid=25383

Like I said earlier, if you look at the picture in that article I linked to and you are intimidated I laugh at you. Personal perceptions of people are subjective. We can go around prohibiting dress and behavior based upon our personal perceptions if we want to, but I'd rather we didn't.