[RUgreek]

The only thing amusing me now is that you are looking for an argument rather than a discussion. Nobody here (including myself) was trying to offend you or your people. I don't understand why you are picking a fight, but maybe you've been a victimized recently and looking for a scapegoat. Enough lecturing, the problem now is that you want to twist my words and make them fit your irrational propositions...

Originally posted by _Opi_
You did not separate muslim women from certain countries that actually do oppress their women by making them wear the hijab (like Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Iran) from other muslim countries like Egypt, Eastern Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia as well as western Africa. That's your bad. You overgeneralised muslim women everywhere with your comment.

I think you should use common sense when posting. I was speaking indirectly of the oppressed muslim women. If you couldn't understand that, that is your bad. Nobody else was confused by reading it.

In case you misunderstand me some more, I did see that you were making an analogy (a fucked up one at that). You went further to insult all muslim brothers by stating that they oppress their women, when in fact, that is incorrect.

No, i think you are the one that is incorrect. One, I said extremists and fundamentalists oppress women. That does not mean all. My analogy is straight and to the point. Sorry you fail to see the simplicity of its message, but that goes back to my common sense remark.

you generalized and did not make specific WHO you were talking about exactly. I am assuming in European countries, "free" (and I use this word loosely) and democratic countries. You suggest that women are not free-thinking people and insult their intelligence as well as make them out to be the type of people the wear their religious garb to spite others.

Again, I said extremists and fundamentalists, are you seriously not understanding the specific who in this post? And where have I even suggested let alone said that women are not free-thinking people? Do you read before you type on here?

These countries, while liberating those who did not wear the hijab out of choice, are actually OPPRESSING those who do by denying them basic rights to education.

How does the prevention of wearing a headscarf deny a person the right to education? You yourself say that those who choose not to wear it are being liberated. If that's the case, then the only thing being denied is a religious issue. School should be a place for the free exchange of ideas and thoughts without the intimidation or pressure of any religious group. I think the headscarf ban is trying to balance those interests and not oppress muslim women. I think its important to understand the reasons and justifications behind this new law before attacking it on personal grounds.

BTW, in all the schools, lectures, conference about Islam that I have attended over the years, I have been taught to respect fellow Christians and Jews, and I have never made a deragatory comments (as you have, even though you think you did not) like you have about either religions. We share more than you would like to believe.

I respect that and glad to hear those values are being taught at Islamic-sponsored events. Unfortunately, there is also a large population of islamics that promote the hate and destruction of the fellow christian and jewish cultures. I know you believe I have made here a negative comment about you or your religion. In reality, I've only attacked the people that are giving your religion a bad name and face. I hope someday you will come to understand where I am coming from.

Hon, I grew up in both worlds..and at least I know the truth.

Forgive me if I don't automatically believe you when you imply you grew up in a muslim country. Growing up in both worlds has a fuzzy meaning to it. I asked if you grew up in a muslim country. Some people would say a muslim family or local community counts as a "world." Did you live in one of the middle eastern muslim country's?

BTW, I did not imply that you were a Christian but instead giving you a comparison to another religion for reference. But that point has been lost on you.

If that was the message you wanted me to ponder, you chose the wrong way to bring it out. After running through a post trying to insult me and my opinions the last thing you should expect is that I would switch gears and try to compare this headscarf issue with the fact that nuns wear them too. It's off topic and off point with regards to this discussion. The fact that you find the law against headscarves oppressive is a consequence of its effect on the repressed. Which is better, to repress those that do not want to wear it or force all to wear it against their wishes?

You talked earlier of choice, but you also know that many of these women are being forced to wear the headscarves without a choice. This law gives them the opportunity to attend school without feeling repressed or different.

How would you feel if you were forced to wear one when you did not want to?