Sikhs Allowed To Carry Kirpan (knives) To Olympic Events

SirJosephPorter

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Nov 7, 2008
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As I said, the right to freedom of religion isn't absolute, and I'm glad you agree with me. If it was absolute, it would trump everything else. But it doesn't. Or at least, the carrying-concealed-weapons aspect of the freedom of religion isn't absolute, it's at the discretion of the government.


If you look at it that way, no right is absolute, TenPenny, not even the right to free speech. You don’t have the right to yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater.

I suppose if any right could be considered absolute it is the right to life. Other than that, I think all the rights are subject to reasonable restrictions.
 

Goober

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Jan 23, 2009
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I thought we were discussing violence caused by a kirpan, Goober and not knife fights in general. Are there knife fights in the bar? Sure they take place. But that is not the subject under discussion here; we are talking about violence involving a 3 inch kirpan.

As to not seeing a 3 ft kirpan, I repeat my comment. I am not aware that they will permit the Sikhs to carry 3 ft kirpan into the Olympic stadium.
SJP -What door did you fall of - you are such a Knob at times - Do you know the max length of the kirpan that can be carried??
 

SirJosephPorter

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Well, I won't be going to the Olympics anyways, so I don't give a ratsbutt if they carry kirpans or not...


You are right, Risus, this is an armchair discussion. I live in Ontario, there is no way I am going to travel all the way to BC to attend the Olympics. For that matter even if they take place in Toronto, I still wouldn’t go, I don’t like crowded places.

Much better to watch the Olympics on television, in the privacy of your home, where you can get up to get a beer, to get a snack etc.
 

SirJosephPorter

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SJP -What door did you fall of - you are such a Knob at times - Do you know the max length of the kirpan that can be carried??

Did you bother to read the original article, Goober? It says the kirpan may be a maximum of 7.5 inches long, with the blade no more than 4 inches. Where does a 3 ft kirpan come in?
 

Goober

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Did you bother to read the original article, Goober? It says the kirpan may be a maximum of 7.5 inches long, with the blade no more than 4 inches. Where does a 3 ft kirpan come in?
SJP The question should be did you bother to read the Article - The Sikh must be Baptized -All 5 symbols must be worn of which the Kirpan is one of the 5 - and that the Kirpan must not be easily accessible - Did I get it right Boss? Again - I ask which door did you fall off?
 

SirJosephPorter

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SJP The question should be did you bother to read the Article - The Sikh must be Baptized -All 5 symbols must be worn of which the Kirpan is one of the 5 - and that the Kirpan must not be easily accessible - Did I get it right Boss? Again - I ask which door did you fall off?


But again, you referred to a 3 ft kirpan a few times. Where does the 3 ft kirpan come in?
 

TenPenny

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If you look at it that way, no right is absolute, TenPenny, not even the right to free speech. You don’t have the right to yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater.

I suppose if any right could be considered absolute it is the right to life. Other than that, I think all the rights are subject to reasonable restrictions.

Aha. Now you're starting to understand the idea of 'absolute' rights, and the silliness of using that word when you don't mean it.

So you've agreed that freedom of religion doesn't trump public safety, except at the Olympics, apparently.

So what makes the Olympics sacred to Sikhs?
 

Goober

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Aha. Now you're starting to understand the idea of 'absolute' rights, and the silliness of using that word when you don't mean it.

So you've agreed that freedom of religion doesn't trump public safety, except at the Olympics, apparently.

So what makes the Olympics sacred to Sikhs?
They are a sizable voting bloc -
 

Ron in Regina

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Apr 9, 2008
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Did you bother to read the original article, Goober? It says the kirpan may be a maximum of 7.5 inches long, with the blade no more than 4 inches. Where does a 3 ft kirpan come in?


Just for some perspective, and nothing more...of the two knives I always
carry, the larger of the two being a folding lock-blade belt knife. It has a
blade length of 2+3/4" and an overall length of 6+3/4"....





From Wikipedia (among other places) can be found:

Typically made from iron, kirpans range in blade size from 3 inches (7.6 cm) to
over 3 feet (90 cm), though Sikhs in the West wear kirpans with a blade of about
3.5 inches (9 cm). Most Sikhs wear the kirpan under their clothes and most
people observing a random Sikh would not be aware that he was carrying a
kirpan. To the Sikhs, it is a highly important religious symbol; it is rarely used as
a weapon.
 

Goober

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If that happens, that will be the end of Sikhs being permitted to carry kirpan in a public place. And that is why I don’t see it happening.
SJP - Your postPost 362

If that happens, that will be the end of Sikhs being permitted to carry kirpan in a public place. And that is why I don’t see it happening.

SJP Please note below -
The ISU has noted a few examples of Kirpans uses as a weapon - Does that change your mind now?
Sikhs will be allowed to wear kirpan at Olympics

Research by the Integrated Security Unit indicated there are very few examples of a kirpan being used as a weapon, therefore it is reasonable to expect no additional risk at the venues.
 
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