Man punches nurse for removing wife's burqa during c-section

[Ms. Toad]

76. And there are are a number of laws that my religion conflicts with (or has)

Slavery, military service, IRCA, taxation for war, marriage without an officiant, taking an oath. I have personally, within my family, and within in my religious community challenged laws which require the violation of our religious beliefs, by engaging in conscientious objection. Many of those laws have changed, as a result. Some we continue to violate, as a matter of conscience. And yes, one of the allegations that is nearly always made is that our actions are not religiously motivated.

Just because laws can be enacted which require that individuals violate their religious beliefs, doesn't make it right to do so, and IMO deliberately targeting religious practices is one area in which it is clearly wrong.

As for whether or not the burqa is religious, do some research. It has a mixed history, as I have suggested. But bottom line, you have no more right to tell Muslim women who believe their religions requires wearing the burqa that they are wrong than you have to tell Hassidic Jews that wearing payos is not requried, because not all Jews follow that practice.

When someone tells you that something is a matter of religion it is perfectly fine to have a conversation with them and ask why they believe that - but it religious bigotry to sit on the outside and tell them that what they believe their religion requires is just cultural.