text: how much should we make allowances for other people's religious quirks and preferences? how much should religious folks expect to be treated differently to the rest of us, or expect us to change our behaviour, on the basis of their religious belief?  for example, should we provide special places and times for people to nip off and pray during the work day, if their religion prescribes it?  should we allow crucifixes or religious garb in school or anywhere else that has a uniform policy which would normally prohibit such things?  should we allow exceptions to the normal humane methods of slaughter for the 'halal' meat which muslims believe is a religious requirement?  ... and so on and so forth.  should a line be drawn between what is acceptable out of simple courtesy, regardless of how silly it seems to us, and what is not? i think if i had been in your place, i would have looked around the tiny office and burst into laughter.  some silliness needs to be mocked, it truly does. and some of it needs to be told firmly, "that's silly."  i agree that it's difficult to know where the line should be drawn; nevertheless, i think it must be drawn, and soon, before we wake up to find the nutbars running everything.