News from: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jSvKwQU-w3j6Gp8PWHRzV2hnh54QD9C9EES80
Whether it is the Nazi, Fascist, Communist, or now Socialist movements that Europe is always in a race to the bottom when it comes to using failed philosophies as a basis for their legal code?
What brings me to this conclusion? Switzerland, the great neutral peace loving nation of Europe, has banned mosque minarets.
The catch? The current minarets won't be affected. How many are there? 4. In the whole of Switzerland there are four minarets. So my question is what do the Swiss people think they have accomplished by banning minarets?
They have angered the Muslims many would say. That part doesn't matter though. Simply making someone angry isn't a reason to not do something. However upholding certain principles should be a guideline of what one should or should not do.
Switzerland and Europe often do the one liners about freedom and liberalism, yet banning a minaret is an obvious restriction of two very fundamental elements of freedom:
Freedom of religion
Freedom of expression (architectural expression)
So I really don't care who is angered by a law banning something. I care that this law bans something which has other elements of freedom infringed by it.
Sure, Muslims shouldn't be discriminated against, but neither should Christianity or Judaism or Buddhism (as such symbols are destroyed by Muslims throughout the Middle East. At least they don't pretend to stand for democracy or freedom and come right out saying Sharia Law, so kudos for honesty).
So what do the Swiss believe they have accomplished? I want this answer but know approximately zero Swiss citizens. However, they have alienated and, to put it bluntly, pissed off their Muslim citizens.
You open a dialogue with those you disagree with, and if that doesn't resolve your issues there is one last step before stupidity must take over. Agree, as two entities of culture which can't seem to agree, to live and let live. Have a live and let live agreement where you don't attack their beliefs and they don't attack yours. This means don't go forcing your message on others by cornering people on the street with pamphlets, or other crazy stuff. It also means that during the holiday season let it be celebrated which whatever symbols (within civility) each culture feels represents them best.
Live and let live.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
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