Hitchens against the free exercise of religion

[pdka2004]

Firstly I do think that everyone should read the full article in order to understand the conceit that the Hitch was trying to get across.

Secondly my own belief is that when you choose to visit or permanently reside in any country, you are bound by the rules and laws of that country - even if they directly contradict your own beliefs or the laws in which you were raised. While certain exceptions can, and indeed have, been made to accomodate religious belief - it is unacceptable for anyone to demand changes or exceptions that are offensive or socially unacceptable to the wider society.

 

[Giliell]

And who'se arguing here for "special muslims rights"?
At least nobody here.
But funny enough that always comes up when muslims ask for the same exceptions to be made for them as are made for other religions (personally I think that no exceptions should be made at all. If you can't take off your turban so you can put on a helmet, you cannot ride a motorbike, end of story).
People in the UK are outraged when civil Sharia courts (no, no stoning) are introduced in the UK, but perfectly happy with civil jewish courts following their religious rulings.
In Germany, people where outraged, claiming how barbaric and brutal muslims where when they fought in court for the permission to butcher animals according to Halal-rules (In Germany, animal protection laws say that you must not cause unnecessary pain to an animal and since there are less cruel and painful ways to slaughter an animal than cutting its throat, its generally forbidden), but where fine with jews being allowed to slaughter the animals according to kosher-rules which are quite like Halal-rules in that respect.
And of course you have to accept and respect the laws of a country. If you can't, don't go there. I will neither visit Saudi Arabia, because I disagree with their laws on women, nor the USA, because I cannot submit myself to an imigration procedure that treats me rather like a criminal.

 

[Anachronous Rex]

And who'se arguing here for "special muslims rights"?
At least nobody here.
But funny enough that always comes up when muslims ask for the same exceptions to be made for them as are made for other religions (personally I think that no exceptions should be made at all. If you can't take off your turban so you can put on a helmet, you cannot ride a motorbike, end of story).
People in the UK are outraged when civil Sharia courts (no, no stoning) are introduced in the UK, but perfectly happy with civil jewish courts following their religious rulings.
In Germany, people where outraged, claiming how barbaric and brutal muslims where when they fought in court for the permission to butcher animals according to Halal-rules (In Germany, animal protection laws say that you must not cause unnecessary pain to an animal and since there are less cruel and painful ways to slaughter an animal than cutting its throat, its generally forbidden), but where fine with jews being allowed to slaughter the animals according to kosher-rules which are quite like Halal-rules in that respect.
And of course you have to accept and respect the laws of a country. If you can't, don't go there. I will neither visit Saudi Arabia, because I disagree with their laws on women, nor the USA, because I cannot submit myself to an imigration procedure that treats me rather like a criminal.

If you think our airports are bad you should try our public school system

But seriously, I don't support religious exceptions at all. I've been arguing against Orthodox Jewish circumcision practices now for a decade, and from the beginning I've taken flack for it. I was once threatened with suspension by my High School for speaking my peace on the subject (I threatened to sue them, they "let it go this time.") I'm not anti-semitic, and I'm not anti-Muslim, and I dislike being lectured because idiots happen to have taken my side.

Now before you get me wrong, I agree with you. The public reaction should be against all of these. Sadly Islamic extremists are adept at drawing attention to their faith.