Muslim barber refuses to cut hair of lesbian: Whose rights trump whose?

[Jeff]

I am interested in the opinions of those that felt the photographer here in the states was so wrong for not taking pictures of a Gay couple ( I think it was for there wedding ) seeing as a few on that list also jump each time anything to do with Muslims is posted. Although this took place in Canada the situation is a like.

So a lesbian walks into a Muslim barbershop, and asks for a “businessmen’s haircut”.It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it really happened, and now a government agency called the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario will hear her complaint.

http://libertyunyielding.com/2014/03...s-trump-whose/

[Trigg]

If it's a private business then I think he should be able to refuse service. I felt the same way about the cake shop owners who didn't want to be involved in the gay wedding.

Why would someone want to force their views down someone else's throat instead of going somewhere they are welcome.

I will say that if the muslim man is employed by a chain, he will probably be fired.

[NightTrain]

What ever happened to all the signs that said "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone."?

And how the hell is the government going to force anyone to serve someone they don't want to?

This country continues to get weirder and weirder.

[Missileman]

The solution is so simple. All the barber had to do was snip one single hair and demand payment. The lesbian would have left to find another barber without paying.

[Abbey Marie]

The solution is so simple. All the barber had to do was snip one single hair and demand payment. The lesbian would have left to find another barber without paying.

These days, if he does that, he might end up on Angie's List with a very poor rating.

[jafar00]

An unlikely story but if true, his loss I guess.

Surely you can come up with something better to bash Muslims with today? <shrug></shrug>

[logroller]

What ever happened to all the signs that said "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone."?

And how the hell is the government going to force anyone to serve someone they don't want to?

Heart of Atlanta motel vs United States happened.

This country continues to get weirder and weirder.

I believe it was in Canada, but nonetheless I think we've become obsessed with problems of our own invention. If instead this was a guy who asked for a shave and the barber, being muslim, didn't offer shaves because of personal beliefs, I'd support him. A right to refuse a service to everyone I'd support, but not just anyone. Its a slippery slope that history proves to be tilted towards oppression.

[logroller]

If it's a private business then I think he should be able to refuse service. I felt the same way about the cake shop owners who didn't want to be involved in the gay wedding.

Why would someone want to force their views down someone else's throat instead of going somewhere they are welcome.

I will say that if the muslim man is employed by a chain, he will probably be fired.

Well, its simply a matter of fact that a business is subject to the public will. Under a moderate degree of scrutiny the claim, 'its a private business, therefore...' breaks down. What if it were a doctor that refused to treat a patient because they used tobacco?

[jimnyc]

An unlikely story but if true, his loss I guess.

Surely you can come up with something better to bash Muslims with today? <shrug></shrug>

I think you quickly read and misjudged. I think 9/10 of us here would support the rights of the Muslim to run his barber shop as he sees fit. The fact that this guy is Muslim isn't bashing, but rather adding a different angle to this very same story. At least 3 businesses have gotten into hot water in the past for refusing to do business with gay marriage couples. They did so based on their Christian beliefs. This is the same, but the guy refusing on his Islamic beliefs. You'll note quite a few replies in this thread and not a single person bashing Muslims or this particular barber.

[Jeff]

An unlikely story but if true, his loss I guess.

Surely you can come up with something better to bash Muslims with today? <shrug></shrug>

If you have doubt about the story don't be so lazy it took me 2 seconds to google it and see all the different news agencies covering it ( some well known and yes some probably not so much )

As for bashing Muslims , yes you are exactly like the blacks ( or any other minority group ) scream racism , please show me how it is bashing you idiots or shut up. If you had took the time to read the article and what I had to say it was more geared towards bashing you and a few others on here, yes you all had a strong opinion when this was a white man refusing service to gays and just as I thought you wouldn't have a opinion now , DAM WHAT A SURPRISE !!

OOO and my point being is well I guess maybe this guy isn't a real Muslim, LOL , yea jafar anything a muslim does is OK ( and I wonder who the racist is )

[fj1200]

Well, its simply a matter of fact that a business is subject to the public will. Under a moderate degree of scrutiny the claim, 'its a private business, therefore...' breaks down. What if it were a doctor that refused to treat a patient because they used tobacco?

But an individual has religious freedom (can't speak to Canada though) which brings up refusing to bake a cake for those seen as sinning. What if a doctor refused to administer an abortion?

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

The Muslim barber had every right to refuse to cut her hair! She had other options and comparing her case to that of a doctor refusing to give aid is just wrong. As no health issue(injury , life or death) was involved in the process of hair cutting. A religious objection was involved and I agree with the Muslim man's right to object and refuse service. I may not agree with very much of that religion but damn sure believe they have the right to hold to their belief in this instance. Its called religious freedom ... Tyr

[Trigg]

Well, its simply a matter of fact that a business is subject to the public will. Under a moderate degree of scrutiny the claim, 'its a private business, therefore...' breaks down. What if it were a doctor that refused to treat a patient because they used tobacco?

Actually I"m pretty sure I've heard of doctors refusing to reattach digits of tobacco users. Due to the fact that tobacco constricts the blood vessels leading to poor blood flow.

[jimnyc]

Well, its simply a matter of fact that a business is subject to the public will. Under a moderate degree of scrutiny the claim, 'its a private business, therefore...' breaks down. What if it were a doctor that refused to treat a patient because they used tobacco?

But legislation can fix that. A doctor can very well go into his practice knowing that he may have to give up his beliefs a bit, in the name of health and healing. Similar to a soldier giving up some rights when going into the military. But outside of hurt feelings, nothing can happen to people rejected at a barber shop or a bakery. Surely they can make it so that some can keep their religious beliefs and run their business in such a manner AND recognize that people like doctors would be excluded. Someone can potentially die if a doctor refuses to treat them. I never heard of a single person croaking because someone wouldn't cut their hair or bake them a cake.

[jimnyc]

Btw, a doctor CAN already refuse a patient that smokes if they choose to. The only time they MUST care for a patient is if it's an emergency. A solo practitioner can hurt his business if he chooses to. It's a tad more difficult for a hospital emergency room to do so. But even then, I've seen patients with lack of insurance shipped to county hospitals, which is a way of refusing to care for a patient as well.

Hell, there was a doctor not too long ago that did so on political beliefs. He had a note on the door telling Obama voters to basically go elsewhere. All legal.