Guest post by billybob
Many years ago in Ontario, when people went to a bar, there were two doors one for men and one for women. No more do you see the repugnant signs separating the sexes. Times have changed but not always for the better. A Canadian Atheist post “God: Fact or Fiction” is an advertisement for a debate organized by an Islamic group to discuss the possibility of a god existing.
I was going to attend, but after finding out that there will be segregated seating available for women who choose to sit there, I say, “Hell No I Won’t Go!” Apparently segregation is alive and well in Ontario. We have gone back fifty years, maybe more. Religion is a pestilence; unfortunately, it can’t be cured by antibiotics.
If you are one those of you who say the women have free choice and can wear any clothes and sit where they want, I need you to try something at your next few social events or at work:
- don’t comb your hair
- wear different coloured socks
- don’t bother making sure your clothes are not dishevelled
- eat with your hands
- lick your plate
- pick up the food that fell on your clothes and eat it
- double dip
None of the above behaviours are illegal; it is your free choice to do them, but you won’t will you! You fear the social repercussions and you fear being shunned. Even as an experiment the damage would be so severe you cannot risk it. If out of fear of being socially ostracised you won’t try the above mentioned behaviour, how can you expect women living in a social group that requires wearing certain clothing and sitting only with those of the same gender to ignore their social constraints, their survival? Are you a hypocrite?
We are about as free to make any choice as the earth is free to stop orbiting the sun. Our individual success within our society is based on following social constraints. Failing to do so would lead to serious social repercussions. Your very survival depends on meeting social norms.
Why does women being equal matter? If women and gays have equality, then I will have equality, and it is my selfish desire to not be under the thumb of some theocrat.