Tajikistan moves to ban youth from mosques

[rug]

DUSHANBE - Tajikistan moved a step closer on Thursday to banning children and teens from worshipping in mosques in a bid to curb Islamic fundamentalism, amid criticism from religious leaders.

The upper house of parliament unanimously adopted a "parental responsibility" bill, which would ban those under 18 from praying in churches and mosques and would require them to study in secular schools.

The bill now goes to President Emomali Rahmon, who backed the legislation and is expected to sign it.

"The current law aims to protect interests of the coming generation of Tajikistan," the chairman of the upper chamber of parliament, Makhmadsaid Ubaydullayev, said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/Tajikistan+moves+youth+from+mosques/5137896/story.html#ixzz1SljyeRfj

[demosincebirth]

1. You do what you have to do. nt

[rug]

2. I'll put that down as agreement with the law barring minors from religious education.

I'd ask you to explain your agreement but it's already patent.

[ZombieHorde]

3. Technically, it is the venue that is being banned, not the education.

I sympathize with Tajikistan's motivation (less Islamic violence), but not their technique.

[rug]

4. I see. When the schools are closed, children are free to learn in the street.

[ZombieHorde]

5. The street is a strange venue. I think the teachers would work in

parks, homes, etc.

edit to ask: What made you pick the street? So weird; I'm laughing thinking about it.

[rug]

7. No, speaking religion in the park would offend people and

doing it in the home would annoy the neighbors. Eradication of thought is difficult.

[ZombieHorde]

8. Hey, your example was the street, which is significantly sillier.

Homes were the original Christian churches, and many people currently have religious education/service inside of their homes without problems. Most fringe religious groups; e.g. O.T.O., Wicca, Golden Dawn, I.O.T., etc., hold their services inside of people's homes regularly. Sometimes occult book stores are used. My father allowed a local coven to teach at his bookstore.

In my town, various religious communities do have religious gatherings in the parks. No one seems to mind. Sometimes they even have free food.

[rug]

9. But they might - pray! - in the park on public property!

:scared:

[ZombieHorde]

10. They do pray, and no one cares because they do it using a "normal conversation volume."

[rug]

11. I suppose it's ok if they behave themselves.

[ZombieHorde]

12. True. If they misbehave; people will probably become upset.

There are a group of Christians that stand and yell outside of our Farmer's Market while holding aborted fetus signs. People sometimes get upset and argue with them. Though this is more of a protest than a religious service. Protests are meant to rock the boat.

[Taverner]

6. Shit, do I have to break out the 'law of unintended consequences' again?

This will have the opposite effect - always does

If you want to get rid of Religious Fundamentalism, Science Education and Employment within the sciences is the only way you kill old, bad ideas