All, 

Is banning minarets a form of intolerance?  
This could signal a dangerous new trend in Europe or the USA. 

I find these prejudicial events troubling. 
While I do not have any liking for the mono-theist literalistic religions, as a secular humanist I have to stand with the freedom to practice one's religion -- or non religion -- so long as the practice does not oppress others or limit their freedom. 

From listening to other reports it's apparent this is not about aesthetics or architecture. It is not motivated by the same motivations as an anti-billboard movement because of an unsightly or distracting blight on the landscape -- which includes tall church steeples -- some that ring loud bells. This is a move against what may indeed be "peaceful neighbors" who probably have made no attempt to force their religion on others, as right wing fundamentalist Christians often do. This is not a proportional response to Islam's presence in Europe. I don't find the argument of a  "defense of secularism" very convincing, an argument which some free thinkers may use to justify these actions.
 -- Gary the Grouch 

from The Globe and Mail of Canada. 

https://www.theglo...­ 

Analysis: Doug Saunders
Swiss minaret ban emboldens Europe's extremists 
 
A deep and troubling insecurity toward Muslims seems to be bubbling in the continent
 
by Doug Saunders

London ��� From Tuesday's Globe and Mail (Canada Newspaper) 
Published on Monday, Nov. 30,[masked]:45PM EST
Last updated on Tuesday, Dec. 01,[masked]:15AM EST

If not for its dark, historic resonance, the Swiss decision to ban the construction of minarets would have seemed absurd and pointless. 

In a country whose steeple-pocked landscape features exactly four of the mosque-side towers, there seemed no good reason for the far-right Swiss People's Party, which happens to be the largest party in Switzerland, to be putting the question of a mosque-building ban to the people. ... 

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