This is challenging for a tolerant and open society to deal with, because the open and tolerant response is to allow the individual exceptions on a small scale because they don't matter as much as the right to practice your own religion without needless interference from others and especially from government. But the Islamic view of this response is that it represents a submission to their challenge, and encourages them to view themselves as a people separate and apart from the rest of their adopted nation. It becomes more than a small quirk on the part of someone who otherwise fully participates in civil society; it becomes a badge of resistance and eventually conquest.
I can't agree that it's right to force students to shake their teacher's hands against their religion's gender contact restrictions. But I can't say that allowing that exception (and the hundreds of additional demands that will inevitably follow) will lead to anything but making things worse.
I think the only sane response to this is to only allow in those who are willing to put assimilation into the receiving culture over their religious dictates. As an immigrant, if you are not willing to do that, you shouldn't be asking to join a new nation. That's a different situation than imposing those rules by force on those already citizens.
Once they are here, it is too late for that. That's why being careful who is allowed in is vital.
This entry was published Wed Feb 15 11:47:57 CST 2017 by TriggerFinger
and last updated 2017-02-15 11:47:57.0.
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