@IrishLuigi:
As shocking as it sounds, how is that different to when Christianity had a sizeable grip on the world. It's true that, if Islam actually* attains an influence on the world equal to that of Christianity in Medieval times, we would be taking a step back from political progress IMO.
*Extremely unlikely.
Its more a cultural question than religious, both christians and muslims serve same god (Allah is God in arab language). As you can might see countrys with catholic background, countrys with orthodox background and countrys with islamic background have all major diffrences with culture on each other.
Back in middle ages religion was ruling element of countrys and Pope having extremely high amount of political influence and having power to excommunicate countrys and royal houses.
Black plague however changed many fundmental aspects of christianity of europe and churches grip over populace were loosened. Current christian countrys does not generally mix religion with politics keeping those two seperate.
Christian nations are very tolerant for other religions and most countrys allow freedom of religion as for civil rights of citizens.
Modern christians dont generally make big number of their religion and they try keep it as personal matter, religion have very little to say in modern politics and your religious background is rather irrelevant in most cases.
Islam however encourages you to be more strict and serious in your faith for god. If you start compare Bible and Koran you will find alot of diffrences on how you should live and worship god.
Bible is more like an history book and collection of storys and history of worshippers of god, there is of course 10 commandments and recommendations in new testament but bible itself does not have that much of rules and orders for christians.
Koran however is alot more strict institution with strict orders, recommendations and rules for muslims and alot more promotion for fundmentalism and religion centric lifestyle.
I honestly dont believe that there is no room for religion or god in modern world and I have certain dislike for all religions (not for Buddhism because its more like a lifestyle than actual religion). But I really dislike how serious approach islam has and how it affects on countrys where its a state religion.
I dislike new rise of fundmental evancelisma and babtism on USA but those has very minor impact on world.
@Airflow101:
Well the security issues come from the veil part specifically and as long as it's recognised that the veil can and should be lifted under specific circumstances (identity checks ect), I see no problem with it.
Taking those security photos might be little irrelevant. If you uncover your face during photo session and cover it always outside that photo wont be much help of identifying person. Security cameras will be obsolete if you cant see persons features under clothing.
Burkas also robs womans identity and personality outside. It severly limits persons social life and social contacts. specially if you keep low profile. Men will miss attractive features of women if she is hiding under burkha limiting her chances of romances and relationships.
Those womans who wants to wear burkha have been simply taught and raised that way. They thing it could be shameful and bring dishonor to her family if she would reveal his face or body features in public, it would be immoral, dishonorable and heretical behavior and should such behaviour become to attention of her family it could bring severe unrest and complications to her inside family.
Burkhas are just tools for jealous husbands and dominant fathers, women should just know their places and obey their husbands…