Should Muslim cab drivers be allowed to refuse service based on their religious views?

Question

"MINNEAPOLIS - Officials at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport are proposing stiffer penalties — including suspension of an airport taxi license — to Muslim cab drivers who refuse service to passengers toting alcohol or service dogs." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/muslim_cabbies_alcohol

Heres the issue: Whether Muslim cabbies should be allowed to impose their religious sensiblities on other people.

Notice, the issue deals with the conduct of OTHERS. Muslims are not themslves refusing to drink beers or own dogs. Instead, Muslims working in service related fields, that service the general public, are imposing their religious views on others.

Whats even more insane, is the fact that generally speaking, we appluad people who chose to take taxi cabs when they drink. It is to the benefit of society that we ENCOURAGE this choice.

Isnt this just another example of reality that, Islam, in its many faces, creates an intolerant people who try to IMPOSE their beliefs on others?

Answer 1

Here, Here! If any other religious group tried to do something like that, the ACLU would be all over them like white on rice, trying to make an example out of them.

Answer 2

As I understand it, cab drivers are largely independent contractors. If they are, they have every right to refuse anyone they choose. They can decide to not take you because they don't like the way you look, or because they don't want to drive into the neighborhood you want them to take you to, also. Should we now start making businesses that have signs in the window saying 'No Shirt, No shoes, No Service" give service to people who walk in in cutoff shorts with no shoes? What if their restriction on service were religiously motivated? Say the place is owned by Mennonites? Would that make a difference to your opinion? What if it were only Muslim shopkeepers who had that sign, would it make a difference to your opinion? Cab drivers don't have a professional a code of ethics in the way that pharmacists do. Pharmacists are *required* to fill any legitimate prescription from a doctor. Cab drivers don't have to pick up anyone they don't want to - if they are willing to make less money, what do I care? There will be other cabbies happy to pick up the fare. Further, the article linked to doesn't say that these cabies won't pick up someone drunk - just someone CARRYING alcohol. Where it can be seen. Mind you, I don't really have a problem with the city deciding to put some restrictions on their licensing process. They can certainly do that. What I'm taking issue with is the idea that this is actually imposing something on others. When observant Jews who own a deli won't make you a pork sandwich, is that imposing their beliefs on you?

Answer 3

I think that if people are unhappy about it they should write to the cab company and ask if the cab company allows their drivers to refuse service to people for any reason. If said cab company does there is nothing they can do.

However if the company is imposing penalties on the drivers, then yes the drivers should comply and provide the service to people regardless of whatever circumstance. It is not about them after all, but the customer. If they don't like it they should get a different job where they don't have to deal with alcohol-drinking people or people who use service dogs.

But the company's policies need to be consulted first. Some cab companys do allow their employees the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. And if that's the case with the employers of these cab drivers, well the officials at the airport are out of luck. And if the cab drivers are free agents...that applies as well. There isn't much you can do.

It sucks and it does seem to be in bad taste not to mention a healthy does of intolerance to some, but it is their right if they are private free agent cabbies or if their employers allow them to do it.

Answer 4

I don't believe so. It's a mixed society and I think that if you're going to get into a job that mixes you with other people and their different beliefs you need to be able to accept that they're not there to meet your religious needs in a non-theocratic government.

I believe in that coming from both sides. I don't choose to take a job where I know MY beliefs would be compromised or where I think my beliefs would interfere with the happiness of other sentient beings, so I'd like to expect the same consideration of others too.

IMHO it's a matter of not serving the ego of the individual, however, in a realistic world I know that most people don't subscribe to subduing one's own ego in favor of others so I let people do what they do, fix what I can and so forth. I try to be the stream flowing around the rock as much as possible.

_()_

Answer 5

Islam does NOT impose their beliefs on others.I have met maybe 10 Muslim cabbies from Morocco,Jordan,India,Iraq,Egypt.etc,and NONE of them said ANYTHING about Islam to me or my mother.The only time they spoke of Islam,is when we ask.They are very careful about that,because almost every time they try to explain about Islam to someone,they always think we're trying to "force" them to believe.In all of my life,before I became Muslim,I have probably met maybe,30 Muslims.Yet, I only new maybe,5 of them were Muslim.The other ones,I didn't even know they were Muslim,because they didn't go around 24/7 forcing anyone to accept anything.2 out of those 5,I new they were Muslim because my Mom told me.2 more,I new because I went to school with them.There was a Middle Eastern Muslim boy in my second grade class.My second grade teacher had married a Muslim from Morocco,and she became Muslim too.She told us a little bit about Islam,and that's when I found out about the 3 Muslim students in my class.The Middle Eastern boy,the Indian girl,and an American girl.My teacher never forced Islam 101 on us.And not just because she is a teacher.But because that is NOT ISLAM.

Answer 6

Either way they'll be poorer for it. That's the price for being closed-minded. Free enterprise will bite them in the @ss (wallet) for not taking the customer. This includes the lack of tip for trying to impose their religion upon people. They will end up hurting themselves.

Answer 7

Hello
You have unearthed a can of worms.
Anything to do with religion is bound to be a talking point

Good talking point

Hope you get some interesting answers

Good luck
Kind regards

Answer 8

It isnt about imposing beliefs, if people want dogs or to drink Alcohol do it just not in my cab. there are other cabs you can get into.

Maybe we should, as a society encourage people not to get drunk all the time which in turn becomes a burden on society when they become a drain on the health service (In England) That might benefit society more for them to take care of themselves and their health.

Answer 9

I am a muslims and i believe that they have no right to refuse service.

if they don't like living in a country where people drink then they shouldn't live in that country.

Answer 10

I believe that they should be able to refuse service based on religious beliefs. I don't see anything wrong with that-However, this is a capitalist society and if you turn down the money, you're not going to make any.