Posts Tagged ‘ Islam’

More on Minarets

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Criticism about the recent ban on minarets in Switzerland from scholars who live in a country that doesn’t allow churches or synagogues. Yeah, that’s who I turn to for opinions on religious tolerance and liberty.

Riyadh: Several prominent Saudi Islamic scholars and preachers lambasted the recent Swiss referendum to impose ban on the construction of mosque minarets in the country.

I’m sure they did. But they didn’t lambaste the marriage of adult men to nine-year-old girls, I bet.

Speaking to Gulf News, they said that this is another evidence of the West’s antagonism towards Islam and such moves detail the serious initiatives being undertaken for holding dialogue among followers of various religions in different parts of the world.

Any churches or synagogues there in Riyadh yet? Didn’t think so. (more…)

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Posted in religious liberty | 4 Comments »

Mixed reaction to Swiss banning of minarets

Monday, November 30th, 2009

I like religion to be personal and private. That goes for all religions. As someone who likes religion to be kept out of my field of vision when I am out in the world, I have a deep and innate feeling of approval for the recent decision by the Swiss populace to ban construction of new minarets, which are heavily associated with Islam today.

However, as a champion of freedom to practice as people wish, I feel also a tinge of sadness at the Swiss decision. This seeming contradiction is not difficult for me to internalize. I think of Voltaire, who didn’t say,

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

(more…)

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Posted in religious liberty | 7 Comments »