Religio/Cultural issues

France is planning to ban the Burqa, “an all-enveloping cloak worn by some Muslim women.” The clue here is “some Muslim women.” The vast majority of Muslim women wear only the hijab, or head scarf. Similarly orthodox Jewish women cover their hair or wear a wig. Jewish men have their heads covered.

It would seem then that the burqa is cultural and not part of religious observance.

There are many other religio/cultural issues. Take for example marriage. Anyone who has read any history knows that in various times and places there was polyandry, polygamy, and variations in between including group marriage. The Mormon practice of polygamy was and is a religious issue. Islam allows for up to four wives which also is a religious practice sanctioned by the Prophet himself. In India arranged marriages are very common, a practice adhered to by many U.S. naturalized Indians. Similarly, Hasidic jews often arrange marriages among their fold. For my part, I have no problem so long as coercion is not involved.

Let’s face it: we American are having problems letting loose of the “one man, one woman.” Remember the Shakers -- they had, effectively, no marriage at all. It unfortunately ended their practices. What is wrong with adults of sound mind voluntarily entering into a complex relationship that meets their needs and is satisfying to their souls? Communes are just a shade more intimate than condos.

We have a wide variety of religious practices in this wonderful country of ours: Shakers - there are a few left*, Amish, Mennonites, Mormons, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Christians of a wide variety, Rastifarians, Taoists, Wiccans, Quakers, and many, many more.

There is room for all; however, there are limits to some religio/cultural practices, namely human or animal sacrifice, stoning women for adultery, or cutting off the hands of thieves. Also. in lesser ways, practices that tend to hide identities: KKK, burqas, etc. There is also something un-American in secret societies.

We are, after all is said and done, a free and open society. Let’s coexist.

* Sabbath Day Lake village, New Gloucester, Maine