Where do we draw the line when we respect other peoples cultures?

Question

For example, when we would travel to a country which has Islam as the main religion women from England (not muslim for the point of this argument) would be expected to cover up and respect the beliefs of the citizens there, and I can understand every part of that.

What I don't understand is how do some people justify themselves breaking it when they come to a predominantly Christian country. If you have been watching the British news in the past few months you will have heard about the Muslim teacher who refused to remove her facial "mask", (I don't know what to describe it as).

I personally believe it to be rude not to show your face when you talk to someone, and this woman is teaching Christian/Atheist/Nihilist children, who don't understand this, and some of them may be frightened by it.

Rant over. How is it fair that if an English person travels they must respect other countries' beliefs yet it doesn't work two ways?

Answer 1

The problem actually isn't the Islamic types. The problem is so many Western countries allow all kinds of craziness with their politicians/corporate types and what not. However many Muslims think their governments are just slaves to the West who don't do anything the Muslims want either so I don't know. I guess if more people everywhere started to get upset about their government instead of foreign cultures it might help. You have to be firm on some of these politicians as they are mostly concerned with lining their coffers over pleasing the voters. You're wasting your time trying to change Muslims but you can change your government.

Answer 2

*****The teacher only wore her veil when in the presence of a man that she was not related to. All of her students could see her face. ****** And if her school was anything like the ones I've worked in, only the janitor and head teacher couldn't.

I used to work with people with severe disabilities who had limited control of their facial muscles. The eyes can say everything that the rest of the face can. You just need to pay attention.

Ask the people of any nation that has a significant English migrant population if the English respect their beliefs and customs. The English are well-known for refusing to learn the language and preferring to remain in their own little enclaves with English pubs, food and the like.

From my own experience, I profoundly disagree with your claim that the English respect the people of the countries they travel in or the nations they reside in.

Even though they get well bent out of shape when other people want to retain their own customs here.

Answer 3

The answer to this is:"A person has the right to wave their fist around any where and any time it won't hit another person's nose."
IE. Let everyone do what ever they want if and only if it doesn't hurt any one else. I really don't think the students have to see the teacher's face to learn from her so I think requiring her to take off her face covering would hurt her more than leaving it on will hurt her students, so let her leave it on. As for having to conform to the customs of others in their country, if it doesn't really harm you then do it out of politeness or at least to keep the peace.

Answer 4

some islamic countries(like gulf region) have it as a law that women should cover up when they go in public.
if the english women had the choice, maybe they'll take off their cloth, because it is so hot over there.!

anyway, england is mainly a christian country so why are you offended by someone doing the same as what the virgin Mary used to do?

Answer 5

Fear will lead you away from love. A child afraid of somthing as trivial as a piece of clothing needs to learn how to deal with fear in positive ways; otherwise your teaching racism. However, if the teacher were teaching that 'All the childreen were bad' because they were not wearing this, then she too would be promoting racism.

Where do you draw the line: When muder, steeling, rapping, torture, and racial intolerance are promoted.

Answer 6

If you were to visit in a country whose culture expected you to go naked at all times, would you 'conform' or would you expect them to understand that it goes against what you feel comfortable doing? What if it went against your religious values?

I think we need to respect other cultures and beliefs to the best of our ability but there are indeed lines that no one should be expected to cross.

Answer 7

you don't have to cover you head to be respectful. Not covering just says "I'm not islamic". Just as a muslim will not remover her hijab, so a Christian (or any religious person) need not put one on.

respect is supposed to be a universal thing (in a perfect world), but it's not. the line isn't supposed to be drawn, as we are to be respectful to all, but I guess it comes down to HOW you respect someone.

I wouldn't find it disrespectful if you refused my food for beliefs, as long asy ou didn't INTEND to offend me...

Answer 8

Australia has the same problem.
Why should a country change law's and custom's to suit an immigtant. If they feel so strong about their culture they are free to go home anytime.
If you move to another country you should show respect to their culture,they obviously thought it would be better there if they moved there.

Answer 9

It wouldn't be respect for another culture if one were forced to do something against their culture, would it? Dressing with respect while in another country is far different than demanding that another culture disrobe against their cultural beliefs. Did you stop to think that by her showing her culture to others that they would be able to better understand and have respect for it?

Answer 10

As a host, a guest should expect that the host would respect his/her religious beliefs, and would not offend them by demanding that they violate their own religious laws.