RULE OF LAW?

More political correctness from the nation that once stood alone against Nazism:

LONDON: Muslim passengers may not be touched by sniffer dogs of the British Transport Police after complaints that the practice is against Islam. According to the religion, dogs are deemed to be spiritually “unclean."

A Transport Department report has raised the prospect that animals should only touch passengers’ luggage because it is considered “more acceptable," the Daily Express reported. The ban may restrict the efficiency of sniffer dog squads which have been trained to spot terrorists at railway stations.

On Thursday night, British Transport Police insisted that they would still use sniffer dogs with any passengers regardless of faith, but handlers would remain aware of “cultural sensitivities."

You know, you'd think this number of years after 9/11 that some rules would have been worked out.

Let me tell you a story:  During my journalism days I went down to the New York Medical Examiner's (coroner's) office to interview Dr. Milton Helpern, a legendary figure and one of the fathers of modern forensic medicine.  During our conversation a clergyman called.   He was distraught because an autopsy was to be performed on one of his parishioners, but the deceased's religion forbade it.  Courteously, but firmly, Dr. Helpern explained that the civil law required an autopsy because of the circumstances of death, and that this was a situation in which the civil law had to prevail over religious custom.  The clergyman backed down.

Conflicts between religion and state are common, but in Western societies we have a long tradition that civil law must prevail, especially when there is suspicion of a crime.  It is remarkable to see the extent to which political correctness and a blind multiculturalism have blurred that tradition.  It's time we got back to it. When explained correctly, the great majority of citizens accept it, and no one religion, including Western religions, should be exempt.

June 27, 2008.