the world today

I would think that France would be quite a liberal country, basing on it's influence on history specifically regarding liberalism. So imagine my surprise after reading an online news article about the issue of burgas being banned. I think the French government, and those who seem to think that burgas "make women prisoners" (President Nicolas Sarkozy), should just stop making excuses for their discrimination and covering it up by saying that to disallow wearing burqas would free Muslim women from whatever. Hello. There is such a thing as religious freedom. There is such a thing as freedom of choice.

First point: These women who wear burgas practice the Islamic faith. Part of their faith is to wear such clothing. Why stop them? Because it makes you uncomfortable? We should all look at where this discomfort stems from, and I don't think it's because you see someone garbed from head-to-toe. How can you teach your children to be open to the world when you're not even open to seeing Muslim women wear their burqas? Please let your actions be consistent with what you preach.

Second point: If you're not going to look at it from a religious standpoint, look at it as respecting their rights as citizens of the country--or even as human beings--to practice their freedom of choice. Not all Muslim women wear burqas. But there are those who choose to wear it. Operative word is CHOOSE. Where is freedom of choice when you are not going to allow someone to wear what she wants?

No wonder why there's STILL so much misunderstanding and hatred in this world. I want to go further with this but I'm just too pissed off right now to even continue writing. Ugh. Maybe later.

Could someone please enlighten me more about this issue of burqas in France? Is it just me who finds this issue disturbing, or are there those of you out there who disagree? Let me know what you think.