This is for sure a complex and many faceted issue.
Liberty is freedom to do what you want and freedom from arbitrary controls. If the women chooses to wear a burka, and now cannot, this law has removed that freedom for her, even if the burka is a sign of oppression. So Liberty lost. If she is forced into wearing it in public by her religion or family, then that is an issue in and of itself that she needs to address. But making laws to ban it to address those personal/religious issues is not the right step.
However, in addition to infringing upon a right of another, my rights to Liberty need to be tempered with other people’s rights to Liberty as well. And does allowing one to wear the burka infringe upon other people’s Liberty? To allow for an environment where people can be anonymous at the basic level of recognition in public - does this create a threat or situation leading to possible safety issues? Or the illusion of a safety issue? Some might argue it does, given some of the attacks that have transpired in association (directly or indirectly) with the burka, or Muslim faith in general (guilty by association.) But does someone walking down a street with an AR-15 strapped to their back create an illusion of a safety issue for others? (I think it enhances safety of others, but again, some might not see it that way.)
Where is the line for personal freedom tempered with a public environment that is conducive to everyone’s right to freedom and Liberty. Does this mean wearing a hoodie with a face covering is also banned, or just the religious garb? People who hide in public have traditionally done so because they do not want to be identified as they have ill will in mind - a ski mask to rob a bank, a handkerchief over the nose and mouth before robbing a stage coach. But with the ever expanding police state and Orwellian surveillance, should one be allowed a right to privacy in public without being monitored and tracked by the state? So, should visibly covering ones identity be permissible, without concern of ill will? (Obviously the PtB will rule it illegal, as they do want to identify and track.)
I feel, at the end of the day, as the world becomes more of a melting pot, for better or worse, cultural clashes will test ones perspective of Liberty and therefore tolerance level. That aside, I think a bigger issue is the motive behind the act of wearing a burka. And in this case it is strongly representational of the Muslim religious belief. And while many may argue that being a Muslim is a peaceful religion, and a majority of Muslims appear to be; there are many, many statistics and acts that prove otherwise. And yes, there are some Christian extremist too, but statistically speaking that number of Christian extremism is very small compared to the Muslim statistics showing agreement with the fundamental hard core principles of radical Muslims, and carrying out, or at least supporting acts of violence – watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSPvnFDDQHk
So in evaluating the bigger picture, I think it goes well beyond just the burka, and one needs to look at the actions of the Muslim religion at large as it stands today and decide if a locale wants to accept that belief system into their community, or not. As banning the burka is just poking a twig at the much larger bonfire. Either allow the burka and be tolerant of all things Muslim, or take the much bigger step and disallow the entire Muslim belief system in your community. Too radical? I know that this statement will upset many, and I am sorry for that. I am all for freedom of religion, but I draw the line when that religious belief system at large embraces violence, hatred, persecution, and/or restrictions of freedoms and rights - MY freedoms and rights - MY Liberty (and yes, even Christians who promote any of these beliefs in the name of “Christianity”), as therefore that religion as a whole violates other people’s right to Liberty. Being tolerant to a religion that wants to restrict Liberty, is counterproductive to the advancement of Liberty. And if a religion is not a friend of Liberty, then the religion should not be accepted by Liberty. If the goal of the religion is to eliminate Liberty, then Liberty needs to fight that tyranny, just as it fights the tyranny of the state. And since it has been shown that statistically speaking the Muslim faith wants Sharia law everywhere, through force or adoption, and that law and the religion itself are not a friend of Liberty and Freedom, I say: In the name of Liberty - allow the burka, but ban the Muslim religion. Probably impossible, but I think it is basically what it comes down to. To be tolerant of something that wants to eliminate the very concept that allows for the tolerance (Liberty), is fool hardy.
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Originally Posted by angelatc
Seriously, though, siccing the state on people for having views you disagree with (no matter how noble the reason) is just wrong, IMO. 
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