Thursday, May 17, 2007

No pictures please

Alberta Hutterites win right to driver's licence without photos

BOB WEBER

Canadian Press

May 17, 2007 at 5:59 PM EDT

EDMONTON — Alberta Hutterites have won the right to be issued driver's licenses without pictures after the province's Court of Appeal agreed with their arguments that requiring them to be photographed violates their religious rights.

“The mandatory photo requirement forces the Hutterian Brethren to either breach a sincerely held religious belief against being photographed or cease driving,” said Judge Carole Conrad, writing for the majority of the three-member court. [...]

Nope, no matter how hard I tried I just could not come up with a SINGLE photograph of a Hutterite. They hold such sincere beliefs...

The problem with beliefs is, that they are subject to interpretation. I wonder if the judges did their homework?

3 comments:

Candace said...

"...“They would have to prove that they are long-standing and known beliefs,” Mr. Kenny said. “The registrar would have to make a decision based on the validity of the claim.”..."

For the record, I can live with 453 Hutterites, who can prove they are descendants thereof, having photo-less licenses.

Also for the record, a large proportion of my reasoning for living with said ruling is the joy it gives me in making Ontarians recognize Albertans for NOT being... fascist, neocons, etc.

That being said, if next year the non-photo-license numbers jump exponentially, I'll want an inquiry to ensure that "...“They would have to prove that they are long-standing and known beliefs,” Mr. Kenny said. “The registrar would have to make a decision based on the validity of the claim.”..."

Candace said...

UPDATE

*mental note* click on all links before commenting

But I'm still ok with the Hutterite non-photo license. Seriously. How many suicide bombers has ANY Hutterite colony produced?

Tim said...

I guess I am just tired of the whole "religion" shaping our laws thing. Is not religion and state supposed to be separate?

I just see this as a, who drives first, what drives second, and I don't know is third... How can anyone know if the license actually belongs to the one in possession of it without some kind of picture ID?

Will this extend to pass ports?

How does one actually "prove" they hold a "long held belief"?

Jehovah's Witnesses have a long held belief regarding blood transfusions yet the state continually intervenes. Wonder why that is?

The laws of our country should apply to everyone, regardless. Leave religion out of it.