Religious Symbols

religious symbols: Its latest manoeuvre, according to a trial balloon floated in a Montreal newspaper, is a plan to ban religious symbols such as Muslim head coverings, Jewish kippas and Sikh turbans along with ostentatious personal crucifixes from schools, hospitals, daycares and anywhere else in the broad public sector, all in the name of ensuring religious neutrality. In fact, such a move would be anything but neutral, according to The Star. Of course, the PQ doesnt want to ban all religious symbols. The partys own ads during the last provincial election campaign featured a lingering aerial shot of the enormous cross on Mount Royal accompanied by promises to take pride in our values. And legislators in Quebecs National Assembly famously debate laws in a chamber where a crucifix hangs above the Speakers chair and Quebecs Parti Qu b cois government is plumbing new depths in its cynical campaign to pump oxygen into the sputtering cause of sovereignty. It would amount to targeting religious minorities by effectively excluding devout Jews, Muslims and Sikhs from public sector jobs. It would play on the defensive attitude of francophone Quebecers who fear their values are under siege from newcomers. In the words of Charles Taylor, the McGill philosopher who six years ago co-chaired a commission into religious accommodation in Quebec, it would be an absolutely terrible act of exclusion. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.