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Essay about Public Display of Religious Garments

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In many religions, the use of garments such as the Jewish yarmulke or the Islamic hijab are not merely worn out of choice, but out of strict ritual or religious obligation. Donning traditional dress is not just seen as religious duty, but ties closely with spiritual practice identity. Widespread use shows that it has become an integral part to the continuity of multiple religious practices. Provided that wearing religious garments is based on manifesting central religious beliefs, to what extent can a State hinder this expression of freedom? Should this conflict be approached as a matter of individual sovereignty or should a global norm be adopted? Technically speaking, the right to express religious freedom without the influence of …show more content…

It has been specified by the United Nations Human Rights Committee that the wearing of religious garments falls under the category of observance and practice, while specific symbols apply to worship. In 1966, The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enforced this further under Article 15, “[this covenant]... upholds the right of everyone to: ... Take part in cultural life...3” To civilians participating in cultural life, the right to proudly bear one’s traditional and religious dress should be protected. Relativism will play a part in the situation of soldiers, but not of those in this setting. Freedom of expression has always been a popular right and religion does not deserve to fall from that category. Also, cultural exposure among civilians is a valuable tool with the potential for intra-cultural dialogue and cooperation, and prohibiting people from freely expressing such culture can lead to generations of intolerance, which have manifested in bloodshed and conflict over the course of history. However, in the case of most sovereign constitutions and laws across the world, there are certain exceptions and reservations that must be explored. In these cases, relativism is applied. For example, military law is often at odds with federal law. Under codes of uniformity, solidarity and conformity, the military is often under fire from the civilian powers of the

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