Should Ther Uk Follow Le Pens Lead On This?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2597082/Eat-pork-hungry-Frances-far-right-National-Front-leader-tells-schools-stop-offering-religious-alternatives-canteen.html

Regardless of the sensationalist headline 'Eat pork or go hungry' (that is not what she said) or Marine Le Pen's politics, should UK schools follow her lead on the problem of special school meals to suit certain religious groups.

In my opinion, this reader has got it about right:

*** As much as you should respect people's religious beliefs you also should respect the beliefs of the country that you live in. European countries that have a high immigration rate are in danger of losing their identity because they have to be so politically correct. I support multiculturalism whole heartedly but when are we going to stand up for our beliefs and what makes a country ours? People are so afraid of being racist that they're scared to stand up for their own beliefs and values. Equality and respect is a good thing but where do we draw the line? ***

[woofgang]

I am not aware that either France or the UK believe that everyone should eat pork? Surely school meal services already have to offer alternatives for children who have food allergies?

[Zacs-Master]

But that's a necessity not a wish based on faith.

[anotheoldgit]

woofgang

A choice of food based on health reasons is very different to providing special foods for religious reasons.

We have such a diverse mix of religions and cultures in this country, where does it end, should we provide a mix of various national dishes to fit in with their requirements?

[DTCwordfan]

Well we could all eat Putin Pancakes if AOG's god, Nigel Farage, has his way.

[DTCwordfan]

http://m.tickld.com/funny/t/695279

[China Doll]

What about children who are vegatarians, should they also go hungry?

[woofgang]

Indeed, but my point is that if a choice of food has to be provided anyway then children who don't eat pork for religious reasons will have an option? The option may not have been provided to cater for religious need but it will still be there, making this a non story.

[anotheoldgit]

DTCwordfan

Why don't you just grow up if you want to join in on an adult debate?

[DTCwordfan]

from someone like you, AOG, that's a bit rich, someone with hardly any humour in them. What a sorry case.

[woofgang]

very very very interesting that the focus is on muslim children and not jewish children???

[THECORBYLOON]

If you agree with the reader's viewpoint, do you also "support whole heartedly multiculturalism" ANOTHEOLDGIT?

[DTCwordfan]

"I'll support whole heartedly multiculturalism - on my terms and if 75% of them leave these shores"......

[anotheoldgit]

THECORBYLOON

/// If you agree with the reader's viewpoint, do you also "support whole heartedly" multiculturalism"? ///

To a certain extent, to those who can bring with them valuable skills, along with total support and respect for the laws and culture of the country they have chosen to settle in, we should not be expected to alter our laws or our culture so as to fit theirs.

[DTCwordfan]

Well I got that one para-phrased fairly accurately.

Now from what base are you going to do that, AOG? 1990, 1970, 1952, 1945, 1920?

Laws and culture have always modified and developed through history, so it's a bit of a moving target that you have in front of you - and what you are suggesting is something very static. Define 'Ours' please?

And those modifications are in part culturally driven by various immigrant groups, something that has been a recurring feature of these sceptred isles since the year dot.

[anotheoldgit]

DTCwordfan

/// Now from what base are you going to do that, AOG? 1990, 1970, 1952, 1945, 1920? ///

See you left the most important date periods out those being 1964 to 1970 and 1997 to 2010 the times of Labour's mass immigration policies,

*** In an article for the Evening Standard, Andrew Neather revealed that ‘it didn’t just happen: the deliberate policy of ministers from late 2000 until at least February last year ...was to open up the UK to mass migration’. ***

*** In Labour years we have now seen an additional 300,000 from the Old Commonwealth and about one million from the New Commonwealth. ***

*** They may well have been conscious that they have much stronger support among the ethnic communities than their Conservative rivals. ***

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1249797/Labour-threw-open-doors-mass-migration-secret-plot-make-multicultural-UK.html

/// And those modifications are in part culturally driven by various immigrant groups, something that has been a recurring feature of these sceptred isles since the year dot. ///

Yes but we have never seen a period when white British a minority in some areas, or of classes in our schools where the indigenous English children are vastly in the minority, and English is classed as the second language or claims that say that white Britons 'will be a minority' in the UK before 2070 if current population trends continue.

*** In England and Wales, censuses show that in 1841 just 0.25% of the population was "foreign-born", rising to 4.4% in 1951. By 2010/2011, in the whole of the UK, immigrants made up 13% of the population. ***

You are living in 'cloud cuckoo land' if you think it has always been the same.

[DTCwordfan]

I haven't said that things stay the same......so rescind that remark.

So what if the British population ends up mixed - that's always happened......and, for the record, they reckon that Mexicans in the States end up with English as their principle language by the time they get to the third generation. So the cultural assimilation does not bother me so much. I would concede that any acceptance of Sharia is a step too far, as that is based on religious and not secular law - in the large.....though they have some points in it to be admired, such as the practice of zakat. That would soon temper the money-gougers.....

[naomi24]

//I would concede that any acceptance of Sharia is a step too far, as that is based on religious and not secular law//

Abstinence from eating pork is also based on religious law. This isn’t about culture – it’s about religion – big difference. I can’t see a problem with Jewish or Muslim children abstaining from eating pork at school, but difficulties do arise when people who adhere to those particular faiths expect the animals they eat to be slaughtered according to the dictates of their religion. Perhaps they should offer to eat vegetarian meals at school? Problem solved.

[mikey4444]

aog...not sure how eating pork is going to improve race relations in France. There aren't as many Jews in France these days, mainly due to the Vichy Government enthusiastically sending 10,000's to Nazi extermination camps, but they can't eat pork either. There are plenty of things to eat in the world today, so what what would be gained by causing serious religious offence.

If have no desire to eat frogs legs as well. So, not sure what point you are trying to make here ?

[naomi24]

Mikey, //what what would be gained by causing serious religious offence.//

People can believe what they like – but their rights end when their foibles impact upon others. I’m sure the school menu is not restricted to pork products, so if the religious who are barred from eating pork are willing to choose something else to eat, no offence is given and none need be taken. Tolerance must work both ways.