Could a minaret start a war?

[CaptainHaplo]

Respensus - thank you for that info. I was assuming that there could be issues should the courts decide against the swiss and they didn't comply, but that then begins to open the door to other questions. Such as, if the swiss DID lift a middle finger, would other European nations really act as if they were rogue?

My current understanding of the geopolitical situation in europe has been something I have neglected of late. May need to remedy that. But often it takes one leader- be it a person or nation - to show they will not roll over, and others may follow suit. Are European citizens, in a nationalistic way - ready for such a thing? If so, it could ultimately mean the dissolution - or at least significant weakening of, the EU.

Thoughts?

[Letum]

Can I build a big, round spiky tower 10 stories high in Switzerland to
park my car in as long as I don't call it a minaret?

Could a minaret start a war?

Easily.
If you got a bunch of fundys in switzerland who somehow became convinced that they must have a tower then you could tell them to all go to the mosque in zurich and pray there
Hey presto you now have a war over a minaret.

[Stealth Hunter]

Nationalists of this caliber are dangerous. No question about it. So could this evolve into a war or conflict of some sort? It's possible. But I don't think it's likely.

Nationalists are not dangeriouse.
One Worlders are dangeriouse.

[Respenus]

Originally Posted by Snestorm

Nationalists are not dangeriouse.
One Worlders are dangeriouse.

Hmm, and the 20th century murdering over a few kilometres of ground on nationalistic grounds wasn't dangerous at all, were they? Yes, wanting uniformity as lead to as much conflict and war as nationalism, yet they are both extremely dangerous in their extremes and you cannot claim that one is not dangerous, while the other is.

@Haplo, I seriously doubt that anyone would consider Swiss to be a rogue state, on any shape or form. They are not part of the EU, yet of the EEA, and although trade regulations are similar between the two, the Swiss could just as easily hold a referendum to keep out. On the map of the EU, they already look like a "sore spot", that big hole in the middle. Seeing how Swiss isn't seen much in European high politics news, one may assume that they're playing behind the scenes, a type of quiet diplomacy and that may just well be why they are scared of the vote. Their system of functioning in world diplomacy might have to change, something they are not particularly fond of, all things considered.

Yet its non-compliance with the ECHR decision could have even more serious consequences than their referendum vote. The vote can easily be swept under the rug. Sure, someone will bring it out once in a while, yet it wouldn't be that hard. The ECHR on the other hand and CoE in general are held in high esteem and every state which has in the past dared to call itself democratic and protecting human rights has complied with its decisions. Again, Switzerland might not be considered a rogue due to its current position and importance, yet the impact upon the minds of other European people will be far more hard hitting.

I hope Switzerland puts up a brave defence (which is doubtful considering what their ministers have said) and convicnes the minds of Europeans that something might actually be rotten in Denmark (read Europe).

[Blood_splat]

It makes me want to kick a field goal.