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Note the old adage "what is popular is not always right."
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Very true. The popular opinion on this thread seems to be that we should make her unveil or stop driving. I think the adage aptly applies.
However you asked me what the state should do, as if you were implying some
reductio ad absurdum argument. I am pointing out that the conclusions didn’t seem absurd to all those states.
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I see no reason why a state shouldn't require photos on a driver's license. In fact, I see every reason why they SHOULD.
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Surely you can see the *reason*. The reason is that the state, where possible, should respect an individual's religious beliefs. Whether you think the reason is a good one or not is where we disagree.
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And once again, her religion doesn't say that she can't be photographed. It just says she can't be unveiled before MEN - and they were willing to accomodate that. It's very reasonable.
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This doesn't really concern me. What concerns me is the right of a person who believes that they should never be photographed to drive.
The article says that, "Freeman had said it is against her religious beliefs to show her face in public", which presumably means in front of anyone of any sex in a public police station.
BUT that is not what concerns me. She may be lieing, she may be a bad mother, she may be a genuine believer. That is by the by. What I want to get right is the
principle.
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DRIVER'S ID RULES IN MUSLIM NATIONS
Saudi Arabia: Women aren't allowed to drive
Iran: Women wear a traditional chador, which does not cover the face.
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That these countries do not uphold their citizens liberties does not suprise me. That Americans would like to emulate them, does.
And again, whether all Muslims, some Muslims or no Muslims will let themselves be photgraphed is not the key issue. That is why I said lets imagine a hypothetical religion where photos of oneself are against your religious beliefs. Of course there are some religious people who do have this view (otherwise we wouldn;t be having this debate) - some call themselves Muslim, some call themselves Christian, some come from other faiths - but that is not the issue.
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Why can't they take the bus
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Governments often tell their citizens to bend to the demands of the state. Sometimes they are right to. Sometimes they are not.
Why couldn't black people just sit happily at the back of the bus and keep to their own beaches?
Sometimes you have to stay "no. i want to drive and i don't want to compromise my religion. you say driving is a privilege? Fine, i have earned that privilige by pasing my test. now i'll give you proof of ID and my ability to drive in abundence, just don't make me break my religious code to do it."