[MD] What is the intellectual argument about Islamic veil wearing?

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Laird]
I'm taking quite a few steps back here, apologies but man you guys just go 
berzerk on weekends while I'm busy taking my a priori (and not-so-a-priori) 
motorcycle through the backroads at legally-questionable speeds, 
reconnecting with my own 'spirit of the valley'...

[Arlo]
Yeah, you see, I put my Harley into storage two weekends back. I'll move 
right the meat of what you said.

[Laird]
If the perception of public risk reaches critical mass, I believe it is 
moral for the host society to pass a law enforcing the minority to comply 
with its social requirements.

[Arlo]
First, I have no problem with society enacting laws to protect itself from 
legitimate threats. And this is where intellect must be used. Just because 
a majority "perceive" something to constitute a risk, does not mean it is. 
This is "rule by fear", honestly, where law panders to the emotional whim 
of the citizenry. Politicians have learned to manipulate this, and so 
bombard us daily with fear rhetoric, to were now I am supposed to believe 
"veils constitute a threat to our culture". This, quite frankly, is absurd.

Khaled has spoken on the many reasons, worldwide, people choose to wear 
veils. None of these, in any stretch, can be said to "threaten society". I 
have asked, if we outlaw veils, do we also forbid by law a disfigured 
person from concealing their face in public, if they are not comfortable 
otherwise? Or is it only Muslims who would be forbidden from wearing veils? 
Is it just the face? Or do we ban the entire headcovering? If, as the Dutch 
say, "veils work against assimilation", do not Muslim headcoverings as 
well? If we really want to "force assimilation", why stop at the veil? How 
is of the entire Muslim cultural dresscode, only "veils" the evil we must 
forbid? Why not the robes?

You see, there is no intellectual or logical framework at play here. Its 
just fear, plain and simple. And pandering to emotion. I don't want my laws 
based on that, Laird. For as much as society has a right to protect itself 
from legitimate threats, this conform-by-law culture that some argue for is 
immorals.

I see women in veils and/or headcoverings often. I am not afraid, nor 
threatened, nor insulted because their social dress customs differ from 
mine. Now, if they are being _forced_ to wear it, then that's a whole other 
issue. This is as immoral as forbidding it.