there is a difference between practicing/believing in a particular philosophy and insisting that every public occasion must include a reference to religion. My beliefs regarding religion/philosophy are my own. I hope that they influence my actions, but I do not have to let anyone know what my beliefs are. My actions should show what type of person I am.
I am a Quebecker by birth who lives in Illinois, an area that prior to 1760 was part of Quebec. (I joke with my family that I live in the warm part of Quebec.) In Quebec, as in France, there is a strong form of secularism that we call laiicite. Any intermixing of the state and religion is discouraged by custom and law in some instances. While I agree with laiicite in principle I feel that prohibiting people from wearing religious clothing goes beyond what is required of the concept. I feel that allowing people to pray or observe religious custom is reasonable, but where to draw the line on reasonable accommodation is where we arrive at the problem.
Public events should be open to all without being devoted to any religious aspect so as to not make non-believers uncomfortable.
As to open practice of religion , if you refer to practicing in a public place, let me pose a question:
If I believe in live animal sacrifice should I be allowed to sacrifice a live animal in a town meeting? Extreme case, possibly, but where does society draw the line?
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