re: #433 prononymous

I agree and think that separation of church and state needs to be maintained (at least here, I have no idea about how it applies in Canada).

But I don’t really see why DF cited it as a failure to assimilate. It should be expected that people of all religions would continue to pray to their deities even after assimilation into a new culture. Unless he was implying that assimilation meant conversion as well.

I think the reference is to more specific commands. Sikhs are supposed to wear headgear and carry a knife. Muslims are supposed to pray 5 times a day at set times, regardless of class schedules, not to mention Fridays as Sundays.

Obviously that causes very visible conflicts in the west, if anyone insists on them. (would you let your restaurant chef take off to pray in the middle of lunch or dinner like they do in Saudi?).

I suspect most Muslims like the freedom to choose when they pray, instead of being noticed when they don’t, but you will need to ask CL how that plays out in her life today.