Is it appropriate for a western democracy to prescribe what people may or may not wear?

France is being completely hypocritical here and are really just throwing petrol on the fire. You can't defend freedom by enforcing a dress code. Even if you leave religion out of it, if someone wanted to wear a veil for other reasons, like if they were scarred or they just felt like it, then are they not allowed to wear it either? If that's not the case, then the only way to enforce this is to have a separate law that only applies to females of a particular religion, and that is a recipe for disaster.

They're just TELLING women that they're oppressed and subjugated instead of ASKING them and paying attention. But are they making it easier for women who really are being subjugated to escape their families? This law isn't going to give any practical help to muslim women who are genuinely oppressed.

And worst of all this is going to give some of the more volatile extremists an excuse to feel persecuted, making religious tension even worse. That's the opposite of what they claim they're trying to do.

EDIT

@LizVicious: "So you don't think it's appropriate for a western democracy to prescribe what people can wear but don't even question it when Muslim countries do that and worse. "

@Sarah Oriordon: if we were to go to a muslim country wearing a cross or a jesus tshirt ,we would get shot"

No, NOBODY is defending Muslim countries who do that. Just saying that it's hypocritical if you condemn countries for forcing a clothing law on people, and then go and do the exact same thing. This kind of argument is complete rubbish, as always. Their behaviour is wrong therefore we have to act exactly the same, otherwise we're defending them? Bull$hit.

And France made Christian crosses in schools (as part of 'all religious symbols') illegal a few years ago - I'd have thought you'd know that seeing as how you're such experts on their 'progressive' laws all of a sudden.

well for a muslim woman to wear a burqa is seen as a radical statement about her violent political ideas to some, for others the burqa is seen as the oppression of women in Islam. But through many Muslim eyes it is seen as an act of faith before their God. Many see the hijab as a symbol of the rejection of Western culture, think its uncomfortable in society (scary) and so believe it should be banned as their country is not Muslim and hijabs shud not be worn.

I agree with the freedom of being able to wear what you want but to an extent because we all understand the security side to this argument and would ask oursleves the same question in other scenarios e.g then shud not a sikh remove his turban? But the difference is that a sikh is not completely covered which is more comfortable for security and society around him unlike hijab wearers.

I think it is appropriate for western democracy to prescribe what people may wear but only to a limit but not past the point of offending religious beliefs and if muslim people can understand why western governments 'fear' the hijab they should not wear it because they say so themselves it is a matter of choice.

i hope you see where i am coming from :)

So you don't think it's appropriate for a western democracy to prescribe what people can wear but don't even question it when Muslim countries do that and worse.

Is it appropriate for western democracies to lay down and die and give up on everything they hold dear (things like freedom) ?

Look, it's great to have rights in a country but if those rights are taken to excess, they'll destroy the country they're in. Give everyone absolute freedom of speech and people will call for the execution of the politicians. This will turn the country to chaos and the strong will take rights from the weak. It's not an improvement. Give everyone absolute freedom of religion and some nutter will invent a religion that says it's OK to murder children of other religions. Then you've just got the one religion b/c it's killed the other religions off. Rights must be tempered by sanity. Let Muslims have a little bit here and a little bit there and eventually there will be nothing left for you. Those gay people you think you support ? Hung or decapitated. Those women you think you support ? Oppressed. If you don't want your country to be Saudi Arabia Jr., you'd best draw a 'line in the sand' and defend it with all you've got. France is trying to do that. You'd better hope they succeed and that your country learns from them.

Its amazing that nobody questions the fact that in the middle east women are forced to wear such clothing, regardless of whether they want to or not. But yet, as soon as a western country steps into the fray and decides to put their opinion across (especially given that France is a CHRISTIAN country) all of a sudden it's a matter of international concern. Grow up people. It isn't cultural when it is forced upon you, and if I decide I dont want somebody doing something in my house then I'll stop them from doing it. After all, what about the rights of the majority. When did democracy become so dispensable?

A person needs to keep a good friendship with the norm of society; the norm votes and minorities need take that into consideration when they wear unusual clothing; especial when associated with atrocity.

The Muslims are not doing a good job in that friendship; they appear as if to rob a nation of it's culture; why would anyone want that?

I am may be confused in this. Hopefully, I will calmly and rationally decide the right view in this instance; I do feel in some way threatened by their doctrine, hence my apprehension; I know that many bad things have been committed in muslim countries for their religion; they will not be allowed that here in my book.

It is completely inappropriate. While the burqa and it's like are indeed primarily for the subjugation, disenfranchisation and dehumanisation of women the introduction of such a law is a severe broach of civil liberties and is historically indicative of the rise of fascism. My personal advise to the french is that to complete rout this law every single one of you wear a veil, no matter your gender, race or creed make a personal point of reducing this law to tatters.

Edit: And looking through the answers that have turned up it seems fascism is indeed winning, have any of you heard that two wrongs don't make a right. I believe it was Ghandi who said 'An eye for an eye and we shall soon both be blind'

Just because other countries are oppressive doesn't give western countries the right to be

I support the French decision completely. The burqua is an obscenity that should be banned in any civilised society. It's use use indicates that the man considers the woman his possession and i think most modern minded westerners find it unacceptable to see a man parading along with his shirt open half to the waist, gold neck and wrist chains, gold watch etc followed by his wife (?) swathed head to toe in heavy cloth and peering out at the world through a little mesh panel. It seems fine for him to be modern and dress in a western way but when it comes to his wife she is expected to go out looking like someone from the dark ages centuries back.

Napoleon may have brought this on to appease the growing right-wing base in France but I have no problem with it. When you emigrate- or are second generation emigrees- you have to observe the laws of that country including, to certain degrees, social norms.

Would it be appropriate to wear a t-shirt displaying a violent, consensual sexual act? Many other examples...

I agree and think it should be law in UK also!!

Yes people should be able to wear what they like BUT NOT COVER THE FACE ! How are we to identify people on the street if something happens and people are allowed to walk around with the face hidden im sure something would be said if i walked into a super market dressed in summer clothes and a balaclava it is the same thing they are wearing balaclavas of a different style. TAKE THEM OFF!!!!

particular. i think of this is stunning. If this is a posh and extremely formal wedding ceremony confirm you gown it up with severe heels (preferrably sandals) and wonderful rings. in keeping with threat an updo with chandalier or dangling jewelry.