I admire people with strong convictions. As a Christian, I try to live faithfully to my own. And as a member of a religious minority here, I've seen first hand what it can be like when your beliefs run counter to the majority.
These thoughts run through my head when I read stories like these:
Muslim WPC shuns handshake with chief - A UK Muslim woman graduating from training refuses to shake hands with Sir Ian Blair, and also refused "to be photographed with Sir Ian, reportedly claiming that she did not want the image to be used for 'propaganda purposes' as the Yard endeavours to recruit more female Muslim officers".
Officials want tougher penalties for refusal to transport passengers carrying alcohol - Somali Muslim cabdrivers in Minnesota (USA) are refusing to give passengers rides if the passengers have alcohol with them.
In both these cases, I wonder why these people want to do these jobs that will clash with their beliefs so much. I understand that society should accommodate minorities when they can. But surely this can only run so far. If you really believe that having any sort of physical contact (except in life-threatening situations) with non-family members of the opposite sex is wrong, I can admire that. But it would seem that a career like police constable is going to be impossible for you. If you really believe that carrying alcohol is wrong, I can admire that. But then being in the transportation industry in a country where alcohol is legal is impossible.
I'm not trying to single these examples out because they are Muslims. I have seen this attitude among Christians and other religious groups too (and non-religious, like animal rights activists, for that matter), but haven't seen any recent stories about them. Very few believers seem to want to make any sacrifices for their beliefs or admit that somethings are just outside what can be accommodated.
Personally, I believe that smoking is a sin. So I wouldn't take a job for a tobacco company. But if I wanted to work in a store, and it sells cigarettes, then I shouldn't expect the company to set up a separate line for me to work at that won't sell tobacco. The same would go for a meat-less line if I were an animal rights believer. That is how it seems to me anyway.
[Update] In the comments, SD reminds me of another great example. In the US there are many pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control pills because of their religious beliefs. Here is just one example:
Druggists refuse to give out pill
