Expatica : Muslim neighbours force censorship on Paris cafe
Unfortunately, this kind of behaviour is typical of Muslims in France (or other European countries). The main problem is that they use religion as a form a identity to differentiate themselves from the "French stock", and cannot tolerate mocking or jokes against Islam. Mocking any religion is fairly normal and well-accepted in European culture, and particularily so in France, which has a long history of anti-clericalism (since the 18th century) and the strongest separation of state and religion in Europe. There is even a very commnly used term for "non-religious" in French ("laïc"), and many French are proud of their laïcité (non-religious nature). It is therefore unreasonable from people of immigrant families to try to force a whole country to change one of the fundament of its culture and lifestyle.
In the same way that the Dutch now ask canditates for naturalisation to look at pictures of nude women or gays kissing each others, or that some German states question them about their attitudes to women and homosexuality, the French should impose on immigrants to be able to accept religious criticism or mockery, as it is necessary to live a normal life in France. In fact, such basic cultural values are about as important as being able to speak the local language. If they can't accept the local values, they always have the possibility to move to any of the world's 230 or so other countries.
Expatica said:
Unfortunately, this kind of behaviour is typical of Muslims in France (or other European countries). The main problem is that they use religion as a form a identity to differentiate themselves from the "French stock", and cannot tolerate mocking or jokes against Islam. Mocking any religion is fairly normal and well-accepted in European culture, and particularily so in France, which has a long history of anti-clericalism (since the 18th century) and the strongest separation of state and religion in Europe. There is even a very commnly used term for "non-religious" in French ("laïc"), and many French are proud of their laïcité (non-religious nature). It is therefore unreasonable from people of immigrant families to try to force a whole country to change one of the fundament of its culture and lifestyle.
In the same way that the Dutch now ask canditates for naturalisation to look at pictures of nude women or gays kissing each others, or that some German states question them about their attitudes to women and homosexuality, the French should impose on immigrants to be able to accept religious criticism or mockery, as it is necessary to live a normal life in France. In fact, such basic cultural values are about as important as being able to speak the local language. If they can't accept the local values, they always have the possibility to move to any of the world's 230 or so other countries.