If there is a dress code why do some people think its ok for them to flout it on the grounds of 'religion'?

Question

Lizardmam learn to read then you may come back and answer my question

Any educated, rational thinking person would realise that if a dress code is in place you cannot allow some people to deliberately dissobey this simply because 'their religion' tells them to do so. It completely undermines the whole point of the dress code in the first place

Answer 1

In answer to Dan you said if they dont hurt anybody, well of course they do,they are causing offence to the indigenous population who dont like the idea,its like going into a club and deciding you dont like the rules.

Answer 2

As has been pointed out in other answers, there are two legitimate purposes for requiring certain modes of dress in any workplace or other establishment.

The first is safety - eg covered shoes, hard hat &c. However this is not called a dress code, but safety regulations. As your question refers to a dress code, I must assume you refer exclusively to the other.

The other legitimate purpose for a dress code is to ensure appropriateness and decency to a standard suitable to the organisation in question. EG, 'no shirt, no shoes, no service', a sign we often see at the entrance of public bars in my country. A conservative firm may require business suits, a school a uniform, etc. I am not aware of any modes of dress required by any religion that would not be compatible with such a code; as has been earlier pointed out, religious requirements dress either deal with modesty or with the wearing of some additional item with ritual significance. Examples that come to mind are the hijab and the yarmulke (spelling?), and also the turban and that hat that Muslim men wear if they have been to Mecca. The wearing of crosses, crucifixes and holy medals is similar, although strictly speaking this is not a requirement of any Christian church but is more a cultural imperative for certain Christians.

There has recently arisen a third category of dress requirements in certain organisations which has as its purpose the suppression of adherence to these religious requirements. Such 'dress codes' forbid these additional items.

Although when imposed by the ignorant such 'dress codes' may be well intentioned, aiming at lessening the obvious difference between adherents of different faiths, it is questionable whether anyone in a position to impose such a condition is acting in good faith. With the amount of information freely available to all nowadays, there are few excuses for really crass ignorance about the major features of a religion with whose adherents one regularly comes into contact.

The fact that you place the word 'religion' in inverted commas is worth a mention. It suggests that you are assuming certain religions to be somehow bogus. This assumption stops just short of being really offensive, as you have not specified any religion. However, you should reflect a little on how you would feel if you were forbidden to break an important tenet of your own beliefs. Religion when really believed in is more important to a person than almost anything. Certainly more important than some rule which is only imposed in order to discriminate. How do you think Jews felt in 1940 about wearing a yellow star?

Answer 3

Typically, a dress code is put in place to assure modest, appropriate dress. I have yet to meet someone dressed according to their religious beliefs, who is dressed in a scanty and inappropriate manner! In fact, they're usually dressed nicer than the rest of the world, who waltz around with their underpants hanging out - but that is another conversation.

If you live in a country that is democratic, and provides religious freedom for people, then that includes religious purposes. The only exception to that would be if it became an issue of safety, for example, a piece of jewellry or clothing that must be worn but that might be caught in dangerous machinery. If that were the case, then I would assume that person would find a different career, or make a decision whether or not to wear their specified item.

Best Regards,
Holly

Answer 4

At the end of the day, everybody has the right to choose which religion they follow, and nobody should be discriminated against for that choice. If a religion stipulates that it is necessary to display some form of religious symbol, then a devout follower will do just that.

Religion is a choice, a way of life that is adopted due to one's beliefs. A school or an employer should have no right to prevent a free person from doing something that is integral to their chosen lifestyle.

If it were in some way harmful to somebody else, then perhaps it would be a point to reconsider. But, as is, displaying external religious symbols such as the Hijab is perfectly harmless.

People need to realise that we are all different, and should be allowed to express our beliefs as we choose, so long as these expressions of belief cause no suffering to others.

Answer 5

Religions that require specific modes of dress are usually stricter than secular dress codes, so anyone requesting a specific style of dress eg black tie would be unlikely to feel that their code had been flouted by eg a nun who turned up in her habit.
I cannot think of a style of dress required by a religion that flouts any dress code - or is there a religion that demands that it's adherents wear trainers/jeans/hot pants/bikinis at all times?

Answer 6

Probably because they have not be taught respect for the order of law by their parents, or they feel they have an entitlement to do what they please at the detriment of others.

Some people are very self assured. This is not all bad, but when that carries to the point of being insubordinate or disruptive then it's gone too far in my opinion.

Set the example in yourself and lead. A real leader is not the loudest, the flashiest, the most popular...a real leader is one that sets the example and is a model to those around him/her. Don't buy into wrong thinking.

Answer 7

It depends on the purpose of the dress code. If the dress code says no long sleeves, and is for safety reasons, then a person who must cover their arms either can not take that job, or must modify his or her attire. If the policy says "no hats" for the sake of old fashioned cultural values which say wearing hats indoors is rude, as long as the intention is not to be rude, why discriminate against the relgion of another person?

Answer 8

I'm going to answer this on what, I admit, is fairly narrow scenario.

You talk about a "dress code" - I've interpreted this as "dress rules or suggestions" such as those that would be in place at a formal wedding or in a workplace.

Firstly, if I invited someone of a religion other than my own (if I had one!) to a function etc, I would expect they would observe the "dress" message on the invitation within the confines of their beliefs; ie, if a male follower of the Jewish faith accepted my invitation to a "black tie" function, I would not be offended if he wore the skull-cap (yarmulke, I think is the correct terminology) as part of his dress.

Similarly, I would not be offended if a woman of the Islamic faith wore a scarf, veil etc as part of her dress.

Please, stop defining people by what they wear - it is the "inner" person that counts. You don't have to see the person's facial expression/s to view the "inner" person - what about those whose facial muscles are paralysed through illness or injury? While we may be able to see their faces, their muscles are paralysed therefore resticting their ability to express themselves. Are they to be persecuted as much as we are persecuting those who cannot conform to our "standards" on the basis of religion???

Answer 9

Flout? Dressing accordingly to a religion staple is hard. Specially in the Western world. There is no flouting by true practitioners. We live in a society that respects differences in religion and creeds. No one can deny them their civil rights.

Answer 10

I don't know what you mean. Flaunt? Flaunt what? Their assets? Wouldn't the dress code prevent that? Who flaunts their body in the name of religion anyway? I don't get you.

I'm perfectly literate dear. How about you learning to express yourself more clearly and try making sense. I stand by my comments above.