There are limits to Religious Freedom

Submitted by Ralph Ekwall (United States), Mar 26, 2009 at 13:02

Yes, Islam is a religion that is tolerated under the US Constitution. However,religious freedom does not trump the laws of states or the national government.

An important case in point is the Islamic custom or having multiple wives. Most states prohibit polygamy.That practice and this a prime example of my fundamental theme.

Many Islamic countries do not allow women to be educated, but the custom varies among nations. Most states require male and female education.

I think the examples provided are the most important conflicts of Islam with American laws. Female circumcision is practiced in in some Islamic societies. I do not know of any national or state laws that prohibit this practice. In many Islamic societies Islamic dress codes are strictly enforced and that might not be acceptable in some public or private schools.

Many Islamic societies ban the practice of religions other than Islam. Our nation does not reciprocate that restriction.

I wonder if women wearing the prescribed Islamic dress could have enough peripheral vision to safely drive a car. Driving cars is generally forbidden in Islamic countries.

In summary there are some very important conflicts between freedoms allowed in the USA and the strict adherence to the fundamentals of Islam.

Ralph Ekwall

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