Should the EU ban the Swastika?

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

Since the European Union is considering banning the use of swastika altogether, I would like to know what you people think about the idea.

The Hindus have always been using the swastika for their religious purposes, before, during, and after Hitler's rule.

I personally think the Hindus should be allowed to continue their usage of swatika

 

[hischildsindik]

This is the first I have heard of it as used for religious purposes. I think it would depend on how it is used/worn. If it is uses in the flag that was used during that time period, or as an armband using the colors that were used during that time, then yes, is should be band. If it is used in the manner or attitude, or with propaganda that was used during the Hitler rule, then definitely no.

However, if you use it for religous purposes, then it is typically not so overtly used and used differently. The average person, that I know, keep their religous symbols at home, around their neck or tactfully used perhaps as a bumper sticker.

 

[arunma]

Why not just ban the swastika except for use as a Hindu symbol?

 

[sanaa]

the Nazi and hindu swastika are slightly different so go ahead ban the nazi one but let the hindu swastika be

 

[Ram]

The swastika symbol will get only more conspicous by the ban.

 

[Arthra]

Banning a symbol can actually increase it's power. Neo-Nazi groups won't hesitate to capitalize on use of a now "forbidden" symbol!

When an ancient symbol like the swastika was exploited by the Nazis we do an grievous injustice to ban the use of that symbol by all others...

How can a movement that started in the last century and exploited an ancient symbol used for a millenia by American Indians and Indic religions spoil it's benevolent use by them for future ages? It really makes no sense whatsoever.

Should we ban the cross because the Ku Klux Klan exploited it?

 

[Kilted Stranger]

isnt the hindu swazika the other way around from the Nazi Swazika?

 

[vedickings]

Nazi

Hindu

The Nazi just turned it.

peace

 

[Eudaimonist]

Since the European Union is considering banning the use of swastika altogether, I would like to know what you people think about the idea.

On free speech grounds alone, it is a terrible idea.

 

[Ram]

45 degree anti clockwise rotation.

 

[Skummer]

Symbols should not be banned due to their association with unpopular idealogies. Removing the symbol won't make the idealogy go away.

True freedom requires that we be able to tolerate things that offend us.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

Thank you all for your replies and also for taking the poll.

It is heartening to see many open-minded people here.

 

[InnerPhyre]

So if some crazy people start committing genocide and use the star of David as their symbol, shall we ban that as well?

 

[arunma]

Symbols should not be banned due to their association with unpopular idealogies. Removing the symbol won't make the idealogy go away.

True freedom requires that we be able to tolerate things that offend us.

I don't know. Here in the States, we take freedom of speech for granted. Over in Germany, people need to deal with the fact that their fathers and grandfathers were responsible for one of the world's most major atrocities. To prevent such things from resurfacing, the Nazi salute or verbal praising the holocaust can land you in jail for a year.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

So if some crazy people start committing genocide and use the star of David as their symbol, shall we ban that as well?

That is my point exactly.

 

[Lyric's Dad]

Since the European Union is considering banning the use of swastika altogether, I would like to know what you people think about the idea.

The Hindus have always been using the swastika for their religious purposes, before, during, and after Hitler's rule.

I personally think the Hindus should be allowed to continue their usage of swatika

I think humanity should ban the EU. Then again, they are supposed to be in place according to prophecy.

 

[Ryal Kane]

It's a difficult trade off. It's not such a problem in this country. We have a group called the National Front, who are a white supremist group. They get more media attention than they deserve and most of the time I really wish they'd shut up. But on the other hand, if we start banning that type of organization it will just go underground and censoring it's statements set a bad president.
Most people would be very reluctant to wear a swastika regardless of what the law said. But the groups that do wear them are the ones you'd want to keep an eye on so letting them telegraph themselves may not be a bad idea.
The Nazi's didn't get into power with a policy of genocide. They got in subtly.

 

[arunma]

I think humanity should ban the EU. Then again, they are supposed to be in place according to prophecy.

They are? As far as I know, there's nothing in Biblical prophecy about the EU, or about one world governments in general. As far as I know, that's a relatively modern interpretation.

 

[markie4u2001]

Jack Van impe said the anti christ will come from thee EU. it's suposedly where the ancient roman empire was..JVI is a prophecy scholor and televangelist.

 

[Lokisdottir]

The swastika is also used by Asatruar. I don't personally wear it because I'm just not willing to take the flak for it. (Some would call me a coward for not doing my part to help reclaim this symbol, but it would just be exasperating having to handle all the staring, whispering and uncomfortable questions.)

Definitely don't ban it.