Here's my opinion of this:Quote:
Originally Posted by Curlyben
I have no problem with Muslims wearing Muslim dress to the pool, in the pool or around the pool.
I have a huge problem with the government telling Muslims that they cannot wear their Muslim garb to the pool, in the pool or around the pool.
I have a huge problem with the government telling anyone else that they have to wear Muslim garb to the pool, in the pool or around the pool even if theyr aren't Muslim.
When I go away to kosher hotels, I often see separate swim hours for men and women as well as mixed swim time. There are also dress codes that generally adhere to Jewish Law for entering or leaving the pool area... mostly because the guests at such hotels EXPECT that a kosher hotel will abide by such laws. That's why they go to kosher hotels in the first place. I have no problem with that. The people going to the pool know beforehand what the rules are, the pool is run by the HOTEL which is a private organization. But again, that is within what is appropriate for PRIVATELY OWNED SWIMMING POOLS.
When it comes to city, state or federally-run locations, the government has no right to force a religious dress code (or lack thereof) on anyone. If someone wants to wear a burkini in the pool, the government neither has the right to stop them, NOR the right to force OTHERS to do the same.
So while France has gone too far in one direction, England, it seems, has gone too far in the opposite direction.
Elliot
