[Buddha-l] Buddhists taking a stand against Islamaphobia

[David Living]

The New York Times reports that the New York City Police 
Department infiltrated peaceful Muslim groups across the Northeastern 
United States for indiscriminate surveillance.

Big deal! UK police also infiltrate peaceful Buddhist groups in UK - so what? Did they forcibly carry anyone out for questioning in the local nick?

France and Belgium have outlawed wearing niqāb in public over concerns 
about immigration, the status of women, and the diluting of European 
culture
What's so terrible about that? - when in Rome do as the Romans do. The trouble with many religious groups is they seem to fixate on clothing as if that is the essence of religion. The Jews do it too and it has caused them no end of trouble in the past. Even Theravada Buddhists monks do it. OK so its good to stand up for your beliefs but wearing a mask is going a bit too far even if you are a woman. I have a lot of respect for many Muslims but basically there is a lot to be critical of just as there is always a lot to be critical of in Buddhism, Christianity, Marxism, Republicanism and everything else. Life can be tough!

Dave Living/Aryacitta Southend-on-Sea - a Conservative Christian/Atheist stronghold.