Freedom shouldn’t have to be stealthy

I know some Ex-Muslims who are not impressed by the idea that wearing hijab is a good way to stand up for religious freedom, contrary to what People magazine suggests.

Actress Kathy Najimy Wants People to Wear Headscarves on Inauguration Day in Support of Religious Freedom

I get why she thinks that’s a good idea, but she’s still wrong. Hijab is a religious “obligation” imposed on women and women only. That’s not any kind of freedom.

One group, led by actress Kathy Najimy, is encouraging people to support “our about-to-be-disenfranchised Muslim sisters” by wearing headscarves on Inauguration Day.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarves — with the support of the Muslim Women’s PAC — is putting out a nationwide call for people to don headscarves in the style of an hijab.

But then what of My Stealthy Freedom? Those women take their hijab off in support of women’s freedom. Putting one on is a slap in the face to them, and to all the women who would like to ditch theirs but can’t, because of social and religious pressure including outright violence.

Najimy emphasizes that the purpose of this movement is to support religious freedom.

“We by no means are endorsing or aligning with ANY religious doctrine,” she says. “Simply stand for freedom. It’s easy, creates solidarity and puts some hope into the hearts of Americans who feel unjustly threatened.”

But they are endorsing a particular religious doctrine, whatever she says. They can’t help it. If people put on big ol’ crosses they would be endorsing a particular religious doctrine, whether they intended to or not.

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