Would banning the hijab be an unfair restriction on a religious practice?
Would banning the hijab be an unfair restriction on a religious practice?
No, but any face covering [in public] must be banned for safety reasons. I think any restrictive clothing ought not to be 'compulsory' - this is counter to modern human rights. These practices go back thousands of years and are not aligned to modern views. They are usually targetted at women. Similar to the daggers worn by Sikhs - these also must be banned, unless made out of non harmful materials.
How do you feel about traditional highland dress that involvees the wearing of two knives, one a fighting dirk that large and sharp enough to do a fair bit of damage, even the Skean Dhu, traditionally worn in the sock could do quite a bit of mischief.
Many Pagans wear an Athame or knife that's used ritually, some groups use swords too, an Athame is part of a Pagans normal ritual equipment.
A knife, or sword has no morality, that is entirely in the hands of the user, a tool or a weapon, its your choice.
How do you feel about traditional highland dress that involvees the wearing of two knives, one a fighting dirk that large and sharp enough to do a fair bit of damage, even the Skean Dhu, traditionally worn in the sock could do quite a bit of mischief.
Most rental sgian dubhs are blunt or have a plastic blade. Dirks, fighting or otherwise, aren't part of ceremonial Highland dress. The sgain dubh isn't worn in some ceremonial dress. At least, that's true in Scotland - I don't know what Americans do; many create 'Scottish' customs that don't exist in Scotland and just make Scottish people laugh.
Many Pagans wear an Athame or knife that's used ritually, some groups use swords too, an Athame is part of a Pagans normal ritual equipment.
I don't know what pagans do, but I do know that Gardnerian Wiccans (the sort with strict initiations and lineage from Gardner, who created Wicca) don't wear athames. They are part of ritual equipment but most Gardnerians don't travel with them, or if they do, they obey the law and pack them away. Apart from anything else, they don't want to have a piece of ritual equipment they treaure confiscated by the police or airport security. (Again, I can't speak for Gardnerians in the USA, which has its own laws.) In Gardnerian Wicca, the sword stays in the covenstead. The only pagan I know who tries to wander around the UK with a sword is still subject to the law. Ditto for pagans who want to carry around knives.
For those occasions I am part of a Wiccan circle, I use an athame with a bone blade. My metal knives are not for that purpose and stay at home.
How do you feel about traditional highland dress that involvees the wearing of two knives, one a fighting dirk that large and sharp enough to do a fair bit of damage, even the Skean Dhu, traditionally worn in the sock could do quite a bit of mischief.
Most rental sgian dubhs are blunt or have a plastic blade. Dirks, fighting or otherwise, aren't part of ceremonial Highland dress. The sgain dubh isn't worn in some ceremonial dress. At least, that's true in Scotland - I don't know what Americans do; many create 'Scottish' customs that don't exist in Scotland and just make Scottish people laugh.
Many Pagans wear an Athame or knife that's used ritually, some groups use swords too, an Athame is part of a Pagans normal ritual equipment.
I don't know what pagans do, but I do know that Gardnerian Wiccans (the sort with strict initiations and lineage from Gardner, who created Wicca) don't wear athames. They are part of ritual equipment but most Gardnerians don't travel with them, or if they do, they obey the law and pack them away. Apart from anything else, they don't want to have a piece of ritual equipment they treaure confiscated by the police or airport security. (Again, I can't speak for Gardnerians in the USA, which has its own laws.) In Gardnerian Wicca, the sword stays in the covenstead. The only pagan I know who tries to wander around the UK with a sword is still subject to the law. Ditto for pagans who want to carry around knives.
For those occasions I am part of a Wiccan circle, I use an athame with a bone blade. My metal knives are not for that purpose and stay at home.
