Should we have laws prohibiting those in professional roles imposing their (personal) religious beliefs?

Question

The below link (to the BBC News website) reports an incident involving a Muslim dentist who allegedly told a non-practicing Mulsim woman that she should wear a headscarf before he would treat her. He also admitted to reducing treatment fees to encourage women to wear the headscarf during treatment because it is 'unlawful' for him to look on such women.

What, in the name of King Henry's arsehairs, is going on? Are we living in the 1600s? Surely if a person, regardless of their religion, takes on a professional role such as that of dentist / nurse / doctor, they should just do their job and not feel that their place of work is the place to spout or enforce their own (personal) religious views? Their work should be completely impartial and their only concern should be the welfare of the patient, whatever religion they adhere or do not adhere to.

Should we have laws preventing such behaviour?

For your ref: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7014585.stm

Before those who don't read past the first paragraph suggest it, this is not an attack on Muslim people. It is an attack on ALL religious people enforcing their personal views on others in their place of work. So please don't suggest it.

Some very good points being made here, but let's remember that the woman in this article was a NON PRACTISING muslim. Hence she chose not to follow muslim traiditions. She was told that Mulsim women must wear a headscarf, but what does one have to do to 'stop' being a muslim? The woman is non-practising, thus she should not have been told to wear a headscarf, in my opinion.

Answer 1

Only if they use Public Money.

Answer 2

If the women were forced to see this dentist (due to health plan coverage, etc...) then I would say this is an infringement of thier rights.

However, if they have the option to see any densist they want, this is NOT an infringement of thier rights.

If I own a bussiness, I should be able to conduct it anyway that I see fit.

Let's take an extreme example. Suppose that it was in style for women to go topless. Surely this would offend a large number of conservative professionals, and they would require clothing to be worn in thier establishments. This is the same issue. To the doctor, a woman without a scarf is immodest. As long as the law doesn't force these women to see this particualar dentist, there is no problem.

Answer 3

"The patient said she sought to register at the Unsworth Smile Clinic after the birth of her young child because it was nearer to her home.
She said she telephoned the clinic to make an appointment and was told they required Muslim women to wear the headscarf. "

She was warned. I don't know about in the UK, but business here in the US have the right to refuse service to anyone, don't they.

There are plenty of dentists in the world, even if he was the closest, the next closest shouldn't be too far.

I think that particular policy is stupid in general, in the modern world, but I'm not Muslim so I can't really judge on this.

Answer 4

This is interesting and I would have thought ethically incorrect on the dentist's part. I thought that they [dentists] were governed by the same type of rules as the medical profession; for example it would be like me refusing to treat a catholic because I don't agree with his/her faith - for which I could/would loose my license! In my humble opinion life would be so much simpler if everyone was much more lenient towards other faiths - does it really matter who believes in what, seeing as no-one can prove their beliefs anyway?

Answer 5

I agree that no body should enforce religious or political ideas.But when the UK and US Govenments object Sikhs from wearing Turban what is your stand?I am not a Muslim or Sikh.But what I find is that some people insist all should follow Christian ways of dress and life.

Answer 6

There are unfortunately a number of Muslims who seem more Medieval than Saladin, and less humanistic than Ceour de Lion.
Any dentist who is unprofessional enough to bring "morality" into his job should have his teeth kicked in. He's a technician, not an Iman.

BUT. I strongly believe that this kind of cretin is not the norm, and I'm sure that if our racist media focused on stupid Christians, stupid Jews and stupid atheists as much as it focuses on stupid Muslims, we'd have a better future for all of us.

Answer 7

The Christian Church once controlled the Law Putting anyone to death, Simply for believing the wrong version of the scripture. I would not like a return to that scary world. I would resist being told what to believe What would be done to the followers of other religions, there are not enough prisons or graveyards for everyone. The vatican tried that before long ago, sentencing Belgium to death. Yes the Country... Scary things have been done in the name of religion

Answer 8

We have economic laws discouraging this behavior.

The idea is, people won't see this particular dentist due to his actions.

This will put him out of the business.

Let the people vote...we don't need laws for everything!

Answer 9

Can't we just tell these people to change the subjet?
I don't think a law is a good remedy. It may make things worse.

Answer 10

So ... can i assume that you think that the media are neutral ? Surely you are aware that all news reports etc, these days are biased towards their own political agenda ?

Answer 11

He's practicing his religion, he has that right.
If the patience don't like it thay can go somewhere else
Doctors who are against abortion should no be forced into doing them