Sikhs Allowed To Carry Kirpan (knives) To Olympic Events

Risus

Risus

Genius
May 24, 2006
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SirJosephPorter said:
They are not allowed to ‘brandish’ the 'weapon', don’t use inflammatory language. They are allowed to carry the kirpan, a religious symbol, well concealed, not easy to reach and well wrapped up in a cloth.
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I thought there was a law against carrying concealed weapons...
 
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AnnaG

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Jul 5, 2009
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How about bowler hats? Better not allow them. There's potential danger there if someone made a "Goldfinger" style bowler hat.
Or canes? They can easily hide swords.
How about knives in shoetips like in "Roadhouse"? Or knives in beltbuckles?
Two individually stable fluids can be made into a very explosive substance, so water/pop bottles should be banned.
 
Goober

Goober

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Jan 23, 2009
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SirJosephPorter said:
Students in Ontario are allowed to carry the kirpan. They have instituted policies for safe wearing of kirpan. I am not sure exactly what they are, it wouldn’t surprise me if they are similar to those of New York (actually I think there is only a small sect of Sikhism where minors carry the kirpan, in most of the sects of Sikhism, it is only the adult males who carry the kirpan).
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SJP - You stepped out on a limb by assuming - As you live in Ontario - Upper Canada - a call to a local school board would provide the information - Myself knowing how Canada does not wish to cause any offense thinks that you are incorrect in your assumption.
 
Cannuck

Cannuck

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Feb 2, 2006
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SirJosephPorter said:
Indeed, Downhome Woman. Now, if somebody claims that rifle is a religious symbol for him and his religion requires him to carry it with him all the time (and backs it up with a Holy Book, a God, Commandments, beliefs and creed etc.), I can well see him being permitted to carry a rifle to public events. With the following provisions:
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Who gets to decide which books are holy and which are not?
 
Cannuck

Cannuck

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SirJosephPorter said:
While it would be crazy to let them carry the kirpan aboard an airplane, I don’t see any problem with letting them carry a kirpan provided sufficient safety precautions are taken.
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Does the Sikh religion view an plane and a concert hall differently? Why can they take it off for a flight but not a concert?
 
Goober

Goober

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Jan 23, 2009
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SirJosephPorter said:
Certainly not, I have said it before, safety considerations trump religious freedom. Taser can do somebody serious damage. However, you may be permitted to carry something similar.

Let us say you approach the courts with a well developed religion. You have a Holy Book, you have your God, your Commandments, creed etc. One of the creeds of your religion is that you must carry a taser at all times. Only one of them mind you, not the only creed. You cannot fool the justices, they are no dummies, they know when somebody is trying to take undue advantage of the freedoms.

But let us say you have several requirements for your religion, and carrying a taser happens to be one of them. Carrying a real taser would still be out of the question, the danger involved is too high. However, if you can design a smaller, micro version of the taser, which would give a shock of say 1 or 2 millivolts, then you may be able to carry it to a public place. That will have to be decided by the courts.
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SJP

According to that logic then the Kirpan should have a blade the length of a paper stapler. -
 
Goober

Goober

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SirJosephPorter said:
It doesn’t work that way, Durka. The matter is settled. I am sure Harper has learnt his lesson (that the Notwithstanding Clause is radioactive) after he was forced to promise in an election campaign that he won’t use NW Clause to try to stop gay marriage.

NW Clause is only for emergencies (at least that is how it should be used) and should not be used unless there is a broad consensus in the country that it should be used. Also in my opinion, two or three parties in the Parliament must support its use in any particular instance.

NW Clause is not to be used as a political weapon, to be used any time the courts disagree with the government. And in this case there hasn’t even been a court case, nobody has gone to court over kirpan use in the Olympics. So NW Clause doesn’t apply anyway. But even if it did, it must not be used in this case.
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SJP
Then what is your opinion of trudeau enacting the War Measures Act??
 
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Outta here

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Jul 8, 2005
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gerryh said:
Well....I guess the general concensus is that Sihks are not welcome in Canada.... what religion will ya's all go after next?
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offs gerry that's ridiculous... I haven't read a single post objecting to Sikhs or their religion... it's the dagger that's a problem.... your stance loses credibility with extreme exaggerations like that.
 
gerryh

gerryh

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Zan said:
offs gerry that's ridiculous... I haven't read a single post objecting to Sikhs or their religion... it's the dagger that's a problem.... your stance loses credibility with extreme exaggerations like that.
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The "dagger" is an integral part of their religion, as much if not more so than the crucfix around my neck or the rosary on my dresser.
 
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