Religious duties and equal opportunities in public space

Thompson, Simon

Abstract

In a number of European states, laws and regulations of various kinds place limits on individuals’ ability to wear certain religious garments or to display certain religious symbols in public space. In this Chapter, I focus on how burqa bans fare when assessed against a principle of equality of opportunity. Could it be argued that such bans are wrong since they undermine the opportunities of some individuals more than others? My conclusion is that, judged against an appropriate principle of equality of opportunity, burqa bans place an unjustifiable burden on women who have a commitment to veil in public places.

• Acceptance Date: Apr 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 30, 2019
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: Religion in Public Life
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/849396
• Contract Date: Apr 30, 2019