Re: Don't Bring That Booze into My Taxi

Submitted by David Schachter (United States), Oct 10, 2006 at 13:31

If Muslim cabdrivers are to be permitted to refuse to transport those they suspect may be carrying liquor, without going to the back of the line, non-Muslims should be within their rights to refuse to transport those they suspect may be planning terrorist attacks - and thereby refuse to transport Muslims (or those who look like Muslims) - without going to the back of the line.

As a practicing Jew, I understand the importance of - and difficulty in - retaining one's religious practices and cultural heritage when living in a secular society. However, if your ability to provide the basic necessities for your family becomes impaires as a result, or if the secular laws in your community make it impossible for you to live your life the way you firmly believe it must be lived, you have three options:

1. Change your line of work so as to remove yourself from the predicament caused by the conflict between the religious laws of your faith and the secular laws of your community;

2. Move to a community that will allow you to observe your religious beliefs without interference; or

3. Revisit and reinterpret the religious texts whose teachings conflict with the prevailing secular laws of your community (for example, conclude that the passenger - and not the cabdriver - is the person transporting the liquor).

There are countries in which religious practices are imposed by local, regional, and/or national leaders. Those countries are properly referred to as "repressive regimes," are not worth living in, and we Americans are presently at war with some of them - and for that specific reason.

David Schachter

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