[marshmallow]

"The objective is to guarantee freedom to every French citizen, with the only restriction that the common rules be respected," he said

I was looking for a comment like this. Whenever some restrictive law is introduced which curtails and suppresses the public expression of faith, the word "freedom" is seldom far away. Usually used in a sense which is the exact opposite of its true meaning.

The USA is a shining example of this.

[kdf1]

The mark of the state may be allowed on the forehead or headgear.

[AdequateMan]

This is exactly the type of backasswards legislation that happens with these "separation of church and state" people. Their form of activism nearly always leads to state restriction of the church. That's not separation. Telling a muslim that she cannot wear hajib is ridiculous, as this is mandated by her religion. This is not freedom. We must be careful as conservatives that we not seek to restrict the behavior of others to that which we approve of, as well. We cannot convince the world to respect religious freedom if we also seek to control the activities on nonreligious people.

[Tacis]

The French will burn Christians at the stake or in Wacos before they'd ban Muslim headscarfs. Their Arab masters won't permit it. The French will, however, be able to use the issue to extort even more Arab/Saudi money.