🙏 Culture and religion diversity ✨

Hellooo everybody!!! 🙋‍♀️ For this forum i actually choose the topic from our society class BUTTT i think is maybe also nice to discuss here if anybody likes that. We had to talk about the question if it is ok in a country to have buildings or other things from OTHER cultures and religions.

We discussed that bc in the news there is now a lot of debate if it is ok in a mosque if they use microphones for prayers. But also other people asked why there is a chinese temple in Zeedijk which is the small Chinatown in Amsterdam and one of our favourite restaurants is floating on the water and is called Sea Palace and looks like this:

I think there is nothing wrong with that or for example the temple. But i am curious what others think and if it is ok if in your country there are maybe religious places or cultural places that are not from your country but people want to have them. THANKSSSSSS very much anybody who likes to answer!!!!! 🙏🥰✨

Hellooo everybody!!! 🙋‍♀️ For this forum i actually choose the topic from our society class BUTTT i think is maybe also nice to discuss here if anybody likes that. We had to talk about the question if it is ok in a country to have buildings or other things from OTHER cultures and religions.

We discussed that bc in the news there is now a lot of debate if it is ok in a mosque if they use microphones for prayers. But also other people asked why there is a chinese temple in Zeedijk which is the small Chinatown in Amsterdam and one of our favourite restaurants is floating on the water and is called Sea Palace and looks like this:

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I think there is nothing wrong with that or for example the temple. But i am curious what others think and if it is ok if in your country there are maybe religious places or cultural places that are not from your country but people want to have them. THANKSSSSSS very much anybody who likes to answer!!!!! 🙏🥰✨

India may probably be the only country where you have a mosque, a church (catholic), another church (Baptist) and a temple all facing each other while being adjacent to a gurudwara, and there are several such locations in India where you have different religion's place of worships adjacent to one another. Scuffles due to issues with loudspeakers arise once in a while but they usually get resolved without any serious tension in most cases.

In India we have literally every known religion, so no religion is in sheer majority, India is a true secular nation. And as for building from other cultures, western style homes/buildings are seen as posh, progressive and modern so it's a bit like an unwanted fad as our own traditional houses seem to be disappearing in favor of newer "modern" western designs. Not many people can appreciate the beauty of classic Indo-Persian architecture which is rather unfortunate.

That's an interesting discussion! I actually find the union of different cultures fascinating. In religious term, it's actually great to see churches, mosques, synagogues etc coexiting. The question runs a bit deep when you think about the intollerance people tend to have for one another. Where i live in Italy we have, for example, lots of muslims and sometimes there are some discussions that arise between the different types of views. Italy is culturally a chatolic country, but most people, at least who i know, are actually agnostics or atheists. In my opinion a country should be secular while allowing all type of cults, as long as everyone respect each other.

Thank u very much @TheLOVERofMachines and @Andrea9914!!! 😊😊 I like that u are both super respectful abt it because in our class sometimes people are super strong with opinions and then no matter what u think it becomes super tensed and stressyy. 😬🤐🤐 I believe that if EVERYBODY is respectful than it should not be a problem to have buildings and other things from different cultures and religions. But sometimes it can be from both sides that people are not respectful and tolerant and the discussion becomes in that case more and more tensed and i really dont like that. Because i think most religions and cultures want the same thing. For example in Buddhism we believe that if you are NOTTT respectful than also YOU do not have harmony anymore at all. And also if you discuss religions everybody can be right or wrong ALSO if u are a Buddhist so u should always be open and respectful. So if there is a Buddhist temple i think that it hurts nobody and it is ok but still it is important for people who are Buddhist and i hope there is also space for that. But in the same way if everybody is respectful and tolerant it should be for every religion and culture. 🙏🙏

Now in politics there are discussion abt mosques and the sound they use for prayers but i dont know if there is a rule now or decision, but i can look it up if anybody wants that. For the temple in Chinatown in Amsterdam i dont think there is now a discussion in politics but only in media by some persons. And i know that in synagogues there is discussion for safety. 🙄⭐🙄

First of all, the photo you uploaded is very beautiful. Just maybe they should have built it in a place further from the native architecture.

Well,.. I think it is great to have buildings related to other cultures or religions. In fact, in my opinion, such measures make a country more beautiful and also convey a sense of unity among human beings.

A country does not have to ban having structures from other cultures or religions, to preserve its own identity! It can accept and use the beauty of other countries to make itself even more beautiful.

Having buildings, music, or cuisin from other countries doesn't mean to remove the country's own culture and architecture. Its ancient culture, religion and buildings can still be maintained by correct management, including the measures in civil engineering, school educational programs, what parents tell children about their history, etc.

The loud sound of the mosques are not necessary, though. There can be a mosque to which muslims can go and pray, but there is no need to announce the time of pray or any other religious event theough a loudspeaker. If someone is muslim, they know such times and stuff themselves.

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Thank u very much @Liveinpeace for also writing what u think!! 😊😊 I agree what u said but tbh i dont really mind if a mosque has a microphone but the only important thing for me is that everybody has respect if for example a church or a mosque or temple or any other religion or culture building is important for people who live there. Bc it does not really hurt anybody i think to for example have a Buddhist temple and there are only few in my country so i think that is not really harmful for Dutch buildings and culture. I hope that it will not be a problem and that people are more tolerant to each other. 🙏😇✨

I think reciprocity and respect for local rules should be above everything. Why would you accept to build moques for a religion from nations that persecute Christians, mutilate little girls, refuse women's rights and right of apostasy? For now though, it's a regret to note that worrying cultural practices, disrespect of Western (French, Dutch, German...) values and double standards are on the rise.

Obviously, that should apply to any culture (Western ones included). Having no such huge double standards where a culture "must" accept everything under so called secularism and freedom, but see its values denied - or worse, destroyed - by foreign cultures demanding to accomodate to them should be the very least we should see.


As for having "melting pots" with (distant) cultures at the same place, more subjectively, I find it sad. First, because it almost inevitably comes with troubles.

Second, because it homogenizes societies on global level and gives the same indigestible soup everywhere (e.g. Western cities...); for me, this is like blending all colours together and calling it amazing while you could have a rainbow. I'm sorry, I would rather get distinct yellow, blue, red, with red and green not being in contact. Moreover, differences in cultures, languages and practices are also how new ideas strive. You can't expect individuals to be fundamentally different when they all bath in the same soup.
I'd rather not have so many cultures in one place, but have genuine and huge differences while moving even to a different city. Cultural diversity is beautiful... on the global level and I don't want to see a Parisianized San more than an Arabized Alsacian.

Concerning loudspeakers: No, because of all of above, and because if muslims want the call to prayers, they have a dozen of countries where they can enjoy this experience.

PS : Yes, individuals are not all the same, and yes many are nice and who adapt to their environement/country/region. However, I don't think this is the subject here, and treating everything at the individual level is extremely expensive both economically and in energy. More than that, even nice people can sometimes participate to a problem.

Merciii beaucoup @Lianshen. 🙏🙏 Sorryy i cant write a lot back now bc it is super late and i feel like a zombie!!! 😬🥱 I have to read tomorrow one more time again i think when my head is not like tomato soup!!! 😛 But im not sure exactly if u mean for example that in Paris there cant be a Buddhist temple or mosque or synagogue or for example hindu place or that it should be allowed but not too many or do u mean it differently?

I think now for example in Amsterdam it is nice bc everybody knows Amsterdam how it is now with canals and also the houses on the side are really Dutch and also like at the Dam or in streets it is really Dutch. There aremany churches and super old buildings like at the Dam or palacesand churches and even Central Station but there is also place for other religions and cultures but i dont think that Amsterdam is now really different how it looks and is. So for example the temple i told abt is at Zeedijk and it is in Chinatown which is not really big. The floating restaurant Sea Palace is actually outside Chinatown. So in this way there are places for everybody for religion and also culture BUTTTT still i think Amsterdam is how it looks 90% Dutch or maybe even more.

But i think i understand what u say that it is important that u have also own culture and that it should not be the same in the whole world. I think in the interview of @Etienne he also said something that looks like that but i have to check it when im not soupy but more awake!!! 😵‍💫😵‍💫 I will check tomorrow when i have time maybe after school and add link below!!!

Have a nice evening everybody!!!!! 🥱🫩😴😴⭐💫

Merciii beaucoup @Lianshen. 🙏🙏 Sorryy i cant write a lot back now bc it is super late and i feel like a zombie!!! 😬🥱 I have to read tomorrow one more time again i think when my head is not like tomato soup!!! 😛 But im not sure exactly if u mean for example that in Paris there cant be a Buddhist temple or mosque or synagogue or for example hindu place or that it should be allowed but not too many or do u mean it differently?

Well, I said essentially 2 things that are a bit different. The second one is that I am not particularly enthusiast at the idea of Paris being part Chinese, Indian, Muslim, Jewish;.. Italian? Even if I may like some of these cultures. Typically, I prefer to experience China in China, rather than going to Chinatown or having a takeout, but I don't think it should be forbidden because of my preference.


The first one is that if it has to happen, then it should be framed with reciprocity and respect at least. East Asians communities are generally respectful and abiding by the law (at least in public life/appearance). Additionally, you can build a Catholic Church in China, although it comes with many caveats, restriction, attempts to make it more "chinese", state control etc. (which I have 0 problem with, but some may have). There is, as far as I know, no female genital mutilations performed in Chinese buddhist communities, no intent to defy the established order of their host country etc. so I see no problem with Buddhist temples in Amsterdam or Paris, even though it wouldn't be totally equivalent.

One problem I might have would be with assymmetry between how China promotes its culture and industry, but in that specific case, I'd say that's just EU people believing in fairytales.

I think now for example in Amsterdam it is nice bc everybody knows Amsterdam how it is now with canals and also the houses on the side are really Dutch and also like at the Dam or in streets it is really Dutch. There aremany churches and super old buildings like at the Dam or palacesand churches and even Central Station but there is also place for other religions and cultures but i dont think that Amsterdam is now really different how it looks and is. So for example the temple i told abt is at Zeedijk and it is in Chinatown which is not really big. The floating restaurant Sea Palace is actually outside Chinatown. So in this way there are places for everybody for religion and also culture BUTTTT still i think Amsterdam is how it looks 90% Dutch or maybe even more.

I never went to Amsterdam, so I can't say. For big cities in France or even smaller in Brittany, I can say that you see more kebab, Mcdonalds, tasty crousty and french tacos than French restaurants, bistrots, pubs.
It's not only architectures and places, but the environment, the atmosphere and the that culture changes gradually. There are places where I don't feel in Brittany anymore; not in France. You can have many churches, then see them being closed because they start being looted, vandalized or burnt. You can have a very French Central Station, with communities all on the outside that are living like in a different country with no respect for anybody. I remember being in shock in Brussels, because you had all those nice buildings, typical from Bruxelles, very nice and all, with North Africans everywhere, Arabic language everywhere and shops you'd expect in North Africa.
This is something you can only see through time, either as a direct or indirect witness and what might appear "90% Dutch" for you might only be "40%" for someone who is 40 years old or living in a different street. What I mean here is that, in my opinion, you are not Dutch because you have Dutch buildings everywhere, not even because you are ethnically Dutch, but because you live like a Dutch; eat stroopwafel, speak funny version of English, tolerant and lose your navy to cavalry etc. Buildings are merely the reflect of this Dutch identity, I mean, you have roman's ruins and buildings in France, but no Romans.

For me typically, my place is almost not Breton anymore. It's more Parisian, more "French" and more "Arabic" or "American" than Breton, and Breton culture is more of a tourist attraction than a living culture at this point.

But i think i understand what u say that it is important that u have also own culture and that it should not be the same in the whole world. I think in the interview of @Etienne he also said something that looks like that but i have to check it when im not soupy but more awake!!! 😵‍💫😵‍💫 I will check tomorrow when i have time maybe after school and add link below!!!

Indeed, I remember that and checked to be sure. I believe we agreed at least partly on that 🙂

Well, I said essentially 2 things that are a bit different. The second one is that I am not particularly enthusiast at the idea of Paris being part Chinese, Indian, Muslim, Jewish;.. Italian? Even if I may like some of these cultures. Typically, I prefer to experience China in China, rather than going to Chinatown or having a takeout, but I don't think it should be forbidden because of my preference.


The first one is that if it has to happen, then it should be framed with reciprocity and respect at least. East Asians communities are generally respectful and abiding by the law (at least in public life/appearance). Additionally, you can build a Catholic Church in China, although it comes with many caveats, restriction, attempts to make it more "chinese", state control etc. (which I have 0 problem with, but some may have). There is, as far as I know, no female genital mutilations performed in Chinese buddhist communities, no intent to defy the established order of their host country etc. so I see no problem with Buddhist temples in Amsterdam or Paris, even though it wouldn't be totally equivalent.

One problem I might have would be with assymmetry between how China promotes its culture and industry, but in that specific case, I'd say that's just EU people believing in fairytales.

I never went to Amsterdam, so I can't say. For big cities in France or even smaller in Brittany, I can say that you see more kebab, Mcdonalds, tasty crousty and french tacos than French restaurants, bistrots, pubs.
It's not only architectures and places, but the environment, the atmosphere and the that culture changes gradually. There are places where I don't feel in Brittany anymore; not in France. You can have many churches, then see them being closed because they start being looted, vandalized or burnt. You can have a very French Central Station, with communities all on the outside that are living like in a different country with no respect for anybody. I remember being in shock in Brussels, because you had all those nice buildings, typical from Bruxelles, very nice and all, with North Africans everywhere, Arabic language everywhere and shops you'd expect in North Africa.
This is something you can only see through time, either as a direct or indirect witness and what might appear "90% Dutch" for you might only be "40%" for someone who is 40 years old or living in a different street. What I mean here is that, in my opinion, you are not Dutch because you have Dutch buildings everywhere, not even because you are ethnically Dutch, but because you live like a Dutch; eat stroopwafel, speak funny version of English, tolerant and lose your navy to cavalry etc. Buildings are merely the reflect of this Dutch identity, I mean, you have roman's ruins and buildings in France, but no Romans.

For me typically, my place is almost not Breton anymore. It's more Parisian, more "French" and more "Arabic" or "American" than Breton, and Breton culture is more of a tourist attraction than a living culture at this point.

Indeed, I remember that and checked to be sure. I believe we agreed at least partly on that 🙂

Sorryyy @Lianshen that i can only reply super late but we have tests today and also tomorrow!! 😬😬 BUTTTT i try to answer it if im super fast and if i can be online later today. Merciiii for taking time to write what u think bc i like that a lot!!! 🙏😊🙏