A Possible Turning Point

NRO ^ | November 30, 2009 | Daniel Pipes

[yoe]

On one level, the vote to ban minarets in Switzerland is a triviality. The constitutional amendment does not ban mosques, it does not pull down the country’s four existing minarets, nor does touch the practice of Islam in Switzerland or bear on the many issues concerning Swiss Muslims. In all likelihood, the political establishment in Bern, which abominates the amendment, will find some way to overturn it.

But on another level, the 57.5 to 42.5 percent vote represents a possible turning point for European Islam, one comparable to the Rushdie affair of 1989. That a large majority of those Swiss who voted on Sunday explicitly expressed anti-Islamic sentiments potentially legitimates such sentiments across Europe and opens the way for others to follow suit. That it was the usually quiet, low-profile, un-newsworthy, politically boring, neutral Swiss who suddenly roared their fears about Islam only enhances their votes’ impact.

[yoe]

The Swiss are known for their cleanliness as well as their courage...........

[oyez]

In a matter of months, many Americans will be able to hear the Islamic call to prayer via a local public address system, yet the ringing church bells will be still classified as a nuisance.

[SamAdams76]

You are not too far from the truth. Here in Boston area Massachusetts, virtually all things Christmas have been banned. A local school system around here actually banned candy canes at their "holiday party" because they felt that the candy canes had "religious significance." I'm not making this up, can provide links if you want them.

We have been allowing the tail to wag the dog for so long now that we have forgotten what it was like to be free and tolerant of others. This does not bode well for our future unless we wake up.

By allowing a few hateful and intolerant killjoys virtually wipe Christmas off the face of the planet, we have ironically replaced tolerance with intolerance.

[sunmars]

Perhaps it will take one country with the cajones to start the ball rolling and let the others know, its oks to say “not in my backyard, sunshine”

[verga]

Perhaps it will take one country with the cajones to start the ball rolling and let the others know, its oks to say “not in my backyard, sunshine”

I had rather gotten used to the idea that it was this country that always had the Cajones to do that.

[taildragger]

Interesting. Note the Swiss border with Italy. Does anyone remember the story of about a year ago of the Italian President making positive comment about groups busting the chops of those making lawsuits about their "religious rights" in Northern Italy? Interesting, geographically so close.

We need to file a mental note on all this and watch it's progress....

[WVNan]

Any church within earshot of such calls should start ringing bells at the same time.

[Biggirl]

Pushback has started. God Bless the Swiss.