“Is a religious bus ban on my dog right?”
“Is a religious bus ban on my dog right?”,On two occasions last week my dog was barred from London buses, not because she’s particularly fierce or big, but on religious grounds. A friend and I had taken her to the park, and as I went across to the grocer, my friend took Daisy, a Manchester terrier, to the bus stop.
As they tried to board the bus, the driver stopped her and told her that there was a Muslim lady on the bus who “might be upset by the dog”. As she attempted to remonstrate, the doors closed and the bus drew away.
Surely the bus company will have a policy on dogs. If this policy was contradicted, of course you have grounds for complaining to the bus company.
This is surely a classic example of why even moderate religious beliefs lead to unacceptable behaviour. I wonder if this Muslim woman and that Muslim bus driver claim that their personal faith doesn’t harm anyone else?
I’ve no objection to religious belief as long as it doesn’t adversely affect others who don’t share such belief. But I’ve yet to come across a sincerely held religious belief that doesn’t do this.
Perhaps we need separate sections on buses with the seats clearly labelled, “People with dogs”, “Muslims”, People with BO”, “Weirdos who insist on talking to you”, I believe this has been tried before though in America where the categories were “Whites”and “Non-Whites”.!
I am personally not a great fan of dogs on buses, most dogs I have seen on buses appear very uncomfortable and not at ease with the situation. I think they would rather walk. I am even less of a fan, however, of any actions being taken, in the name of religion, that affect the liberties of others.
In my view both the drivers should face disciplinary action by their employers.