I don't honestly think that people who follow a religion choose to be a part of that religion.
Depends on the religion. Christians have to individually choose to follow Christ. They aren't born Christians (they are "born
again" as Christians). There are other religions that also accept converts, that is, people who choose to join those religions.
Could you just all of the sudden not be Christian?
No. I could fall away from being a faithful disciple, that's possible. But I could never be separated from Christ because
He won't let go.
I mean, you can choose to not follow a religion, but how is that in any way an expression of libertie? You're still Christian, just banned from attending Mass.
I'm not a Catholic, so I never attend Mass. However, there could come a time in the USA when gatherings for Christian worship could be banned, such as they were in the Soviet Union and other countries. When that happens, I would still be a Christian but under persecution, as are some today.
The deaf don't choose to be deaf, but many do choose to have and follow a culture. What if the US made ASL illegal? Then what?
I imagine there would be a huge stink raised, and they would continue to sign underground.
At least in the public education system, they've pretty much experienced that in the past. Milan Conference, anyone?
The deaf can still choose to speechread and speak, right? What if the US mandated CI?
You are not serious, are you?
How is that much different than France forcing Muslims to conform to "French" culture? France is a country of immigrants. "French" culture is the minority, just like Standard American English is the minority.
French culture is the minority culture in France? That's news to me.
...What if that country for the Deaf is Somalia? Is that fair? Can I tell deaf people who don't like how it is in the U.S. to leave? Of course not! You have rights as citizens! As human beings!
American citizens can't be banished to other countries, so it would not only be unfair, it would be illegal. That's American law. I don't know Napoleonic law. I don't know if there's a "human being" law that covers that.
Being Muslim does not = being able to go anywhere in the world that is a Muslim country. You think a French Muslim wants to live in Saudi Arabia? I hear Nicaragua has great schools for the deaf. Lots of churches, too. Should I advocate the deaf people on AD move here?
Um, no. I believe in protecting the rights of citizens rather than suggesting deportation or emigration just so that I can keep our streets looking American and our language sounding "American".
No one has suggested that American citizens be deported.
I, for one, have not said boo about shipping French Muslims to Saudi Arabia.
Muslim women have been doing that for decades. Go on a plane, step aside with a female agent, show them your face, pass security and proceed...
I think we agree on a lot. I just don't think it's fair to tell them to "leave if they don't like it".
I didn't suggest that they should leave.