re: #461 ggt

No, I don’t think so. I really think DF is reacting to the visual effect of the photo in the article. As I’ve said before it is effective propaganda.

Both the Whacko Christians and Muslims have ways of bending logic to suit their needs.

After 9/11 we learned all kinds of new things about the Muslim faith that we weren’t exposed to before. The Christian version is old hat. The fear is that they will use our goodwill (civil rights, democracy) to control us.

What is new seems the most dangerous ….we are vulnerable to what we don’t understand.

There are plenty of Whacko Christian sects that have carved little niches for themselves (The Sect in Texas that had their kids taken away comes to mind for me). If we have to live with them, then we have to live with all others.

Whackos of all persuasions scare the shit out of me. Just the idea of “one more” to deal with is overwhelming.

My husband would be ranting about it for days before he calmed down. Maybe it’s a guy thing?

Fair enough. But a headscarf and praying, while an indicator for certain religions, isn’t necessarily an indicator of failure to assimilate. No more than wearing a cross and not working sundays is an indicator of failure to assimilate. And speaking to his broader point of multiculturalism as a failure I would suggest that incomplete assimilation within the first few generations isn’t an indication of such failure. Full assimilation into a culture takes time and it certainly doesn’t help that process if they are ostracized or never allowed entry in the first place. Ostracized groups are exactly the types that become insular, hard for us to penetrate and understand, and can become more easily radicalized.

re: #476 Naso Tang

Not sure I follow the question. All of them would have to skip prayers in a US public school, and presumably be forgiven for doing so by the big guy.

Like the Catholics and penance, there is a provision for catching up if circumstances prevent a scheduled prayer. Might be hard on homework time, but where there is a will there is a way.

Well it also depends on how important they consider those prayers. Most students probably don’t want to make up classwork over something that they don’t consider significant. But you are right, they could leave if it isn’t something they could do on their own during a free period. I don’t approve of a sponsored prayer time, but accommodating a religious necessity is fine. I don’t see how it is any different just because they are Muslims.