Should Muslims be Allowed Exemption?

NO! NO! NO! When one visits or decides to live in another country, that means that they themselves chose to leave that place (birthplace/home) where their religion and faith are practiced daily, and to that individuals teachings. It isn't the responsibility of the particular country that is visited to change all thier customs just to accomodate them, just because they don't like or believe that what is offensive should be practiced. If they want to faithfully practice thier religion and or faith without hinderance let them return to where they came from, so that they can practice it without difficulty or interference. -- RJ Rosado

As an American, we face many of the same issues in our public schools. If parents are concerned about gender mixing in various classes and sports, then they should remove their children and send them to sectarian facilities. We did this with my own 3 children; however, we did permit them to participate in co-ed activities as appropriate. If the dictates of the parents are not to participate in various co-ed activities, then they should use religious day schools. When you send your child to a public school, you got to remember what you are giving up. You cannot have it both ways. -- Marv Hershenson

When you go to a country you must conform to that countries practices. There are always rules and regulations that vary from different cultures but if you insist upon living in a country different than your own you need to also accept their practices. When my grandfather came from Europe to America he put aside practices from the 'old country' he didn't insist that they conform to his beliefs and traditions. He learned to read and write English and didn't insist that documents/classrooms/ballots be put in his language. If you don't want to conform then don't immigrate. Nobody makes you change countries, but if you must do so then find one that is close to what you believe and stop insisting whole systems change to your way of beliefs. Watching Europe become an annex to the Middle East Muslim culture is really sad. They will be losing all their identity within 50 to 100 years at this rate. -- Carol Cee

In response to the question "Do you think that Muslim parents should be allowed to exempt their children from sports and sex education class?" I say, yes they should be allowed because parents are responsible for their childs ultimate education. But, having not participated, their children should fail the class or at least receive a bad-grade.-- Bernie Minor

When someone immigrates to another country they should study that country beforehand. Learn about that country's culture and if they don't agree with it, they should consider moving elsewhere. Integrate or move back. -- Kim, USA

Do I think that Muslim parents should be allowed to exempt their children from sports and sex education classes? No. Western states are political states not religious states. I like it that way. There are plenty of Islamic states in the world where Muslims can live however they want without upsetting their neighbours. All citizens should live by the laws of their country or there will be conflict. If Muslim parents are not happy with our western values they should move to where they are welcome to avoid conflict. -- Clive Jones

Muslim immigrants are not forced to live in western countries. While in western countries,they have to integrate, to learn the language and obey the laws, just as we westerners have to obey their laws when in their countries,even as tourists. Muslim religious beliefs are not compatible with western democracies, it would be impossible to a western country to accomodate all of their demands,unless becoming an islamic country.The ones that place their religion above the laws of the guest country should be deported. -- Adela Kostea

Free, western nations, such as Germany and the US, must not allow exemptions based solely on religious concern. It can never be any government's responsibility to recreate religious environment in public enterprises, such as schooling, because doing so makes the general public subservient to the religious group in question, whereas the religious group is only one subset of society. -- Robert Arsenault, USA

Each country has a culture and laws and anyone coming into that country should know these before hand. I'm tired of people making other countries change their ways for them. If you don't like it, stay in your own coutnry, I mean that with respect. When in Rome do as the Romans -- Donna

I feel that when Muslims move to a modern western culture, they either have to adapt to the laws and customs of that region, or choose to send their children to Muslim schools. Why should a country change their rules to apply to the few? If we comply to the whims of their culture, we will live under Islamic law. Implementing this would be the end of western civilization. -- Allyson Rowen Taylor

I believe they should have separate swimming. I think all sports should be separated. The boy from the story is at an impressionable age and shouldn't see girls like this. Neither should girls see boys so scantly clad. -- Dominique Jordan, USA