Chastity ring........Religeous Row

[cavell]

Chastity ring centre of new school religion row [Excerpts]

A Christian teenager will go to the high court this summer to challenge
the decision of her school to ban her from wearing a celibacy ring on
the grounds that it is her basic human right to express her religious
beliefs.

Lydia Playfoot, 16, will argue that the school is being discriminatory
because it allows pupils from other faiths to wear religious
adornments. Muslim and Sikh pupils at her all-girls secondary school in
West Sussex are allowed to wear headscarves, trousers and kara
bracelets.

The case of the teenager, who attends Millais school in Horsham, has
the support of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship - an organisation that
represents 2,000 Christian lawyers from across the UK.

Its public policy officer, Andrea Williams, said today: "This case is
about Lydia's freedom of expression of her religious beliefs. It's
about equality and about creating a level playing field as Muslim and
Sikh pupils are allowed to manifest their faith through religious
ornaments and she has been prohibited."

The case is expected to go before the high court before the summer
recess.

http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2079466,00.html

 

[ParsonJefferson]

This seems really stupid. TOTALLY stupid.

Unless I'm missing something, it's a ring! It's something you wear on your finger!

I simply cannot understand how any school could take this ring as a threat, or try to ban her from wearing it.

 

[FireQuest]

This seems really stupid. TOTALLY stupid.

Unless I'm missing something, it's a ring! It's something you wear on your finger!

I simply cannot understand how any school could take this ring as a threat, or try to ban her from wearing it.

You took the words right out of my mouth!

 

[Cygnus]

Well I'm sure they quite understand how people are supposed to wear rings and I also don't think they see it as a threat. Especially, considering the fact that Christianity alreadly plays a part in our schooling system in that schools are required to include acts of collective worship of a Christian nature in school assemblies. If this school really saw Christianity as any kind of "threat" I'd have thought they'd be more concerned with challenging the requirement for collective worship rather than one students desire to wear a ring.

I think they simply see it as being something which isn't allowed under their school uniform rules and since it is something which they deem to be non-essential to her Christian faith (i.e. the bible does not require her to wear it) they see no reason to let her continue to wear it.

That said, when I was at school there was no rule against wearing rings during classes so long as they, and other jewellery, were removed for P.E lessons. So I don't really understand why this school has a problem with students wearing rings, or even other jewellery, during their other lessons.

 

[teen4jesus92]

I don't live in England, and I don't go to an all-girl's school, but this is still interesting to me.

I wear what I call a purity ring that reminds me of my commitment to remain pure (I guess you could say "celibate") until my wedding night. I made a promise, at the age of 13, to not have sex and not touch where I shouldn't until I was married. I also decided when I was 14 that I wanted to save my first kiss for my fiance. (Sorry, I had to get all that off my chest!)

I don't know the rules of the school's dress code, but I'll tell you - if a Muslim girl can wear a headscarf, a Christian girl can wear a ring. Or she can leave that school.

 

[cavell]

This seems really stupid. TOTALLY stupid.

Unless I'm missing something, it's a ring! It's something you wear on your finger!

I simply cannot understand how any school could take this ring as a threat, or try to ban her from wearing it.

You are right chum.....absolutely. But this is how it is seen today in the light 'modern thinking'

 

[cavell]

Well I'm sure they quite understand how people are supposed to wear rings and I also don't think they see it as a threat. Especially, considering the fact that Christianity alreadly plays a part in our schooling system in that schools are required to include acts of collective worship of a Christian nature in school assemblies. If this school really saw Christianity as any kind of "threat" I'd have thought they'd be more concerned with challenging the requirement for collective worship rather than one students desire to wear a ring.

I think they simply see it as being something which isn't allowed under their school uniform rules and since it is something which they deem to be non-essential to her Christian faith (i.e. the bible does not require her to wear it) they see no reason to let her continue to wear it.

That said, when I was at school there was no rule against wearing rings during classes so long as they, and other jewellery, were removed for P.E lessons. So I don't really understand why this school has a problem with students wearing rings, or even other jewellery, during their other lessons.

Would be good if you could drop the guardian a note with your thoughts! Or e-mail?

 

[cavell]

I don't live in England, and I don't go to an all-girl's school, but this is still interesting to me.

I wear what I call a purity ring that reminds me of my commitment to remain pure (I guess you could say "celibate") until my wedding night. I made a promise, at the age of 13, to not have sex and not touch where I shouldn't until I was married. I also decided when I was 14 that I wanted to save my first kiss for my fiance. (Sorry, I had to get all that off my chest!)

I don't know the rules of the school's dress code, but I'll tell you - if a Muslim girl can wear a headscarf, a Christian girl can wear a ring. Or she can leave that school.

What we are seeing here, and once again, is the desire to relegate the Christian faith, upon which our Western Nations were founded, which led to the abolition of slavery, freedom of thought and expression, ect ect. we are witnessing a desire to abolish such idea and thought.

 

[cavell]

This seems really stupid. TOTALLY stupid.

Unless I'm missing something, it's a ring! It's something you wear on your finger!

I simply cannot understand how any school could take this ring as a threat, or try to ban her from wearing it.

Stupid indeed.......but factual none the less.

 

[teen4jesus92]

What we are seeing here, and once again, is the desire to relegate the Christian faith, upon which our Western Nations were founded, which led to the abolition of slavery, freedom of thought and expression, ect ect. we are witnessing a desire to abolish such idea and thought.

It's so horrible what people want to do to Christianity. It really bothers me.
You say, "we are witnessing a desire to abolish such idea and thought." If we abolish the idea and thought of freedom/what Christianity stands for/etc... What's going to happen to the world we know today? :o

I'm glad I know, love, and serve an all-powerful God.

 

[FireQuest]

I don't live in England, and I don't go to an all-girl's school, but this is still interesting to me.

I wear what I call a purity ring that reminds me of my commitment to remain pure (I guess you could say "celibate") until my wedding night. I made a promise, at the age of 13, to not have sex and not touch where I shouldn't until I was married. I also decided when I was 14 that I wanted to save my first kiss for my fiance. (Sorry, I had to get all that off my chest!)

I don't know the rules of the school's dress code, but I'll tell you - if a Muslim girl can wear a headscarf, a Christian girl can wear a ring. Or she can leave that school.

It's really a blessing to hear a teenager declare they are determined to stay pure in this day we live in. Praise God! I wish other teens (and pre-teens as well) would also make this decision. You have been blessed with Godly wisdom! It must be a real inspiration to others!

God bless you, sister! I'm proud of you!

 

[Exegete12]

Well publicity like this is good, it makes secular people think of Christian values, and also challenges them to see the hypocrisy of their own governments, when providing appeasement for other religious minorities, yet not of their own.

 

[Hisfirebrand]

What we are seeing here, and once again, is the desire to relegate the Christian faith, upon which our Western Nations were founded, which led to the abolition of slavery, freedom of thought and expression, ect ect. we are witnessing a desire to abolish such idea and thought.

It's so horrible what people want to do to Christianity. It really bothers me.
You say, "we are witnessing a desire to abolish such idea and thought." If we abolish the idea and thought of freedom/what Christianity stands for/etc... What's going to happen to the world we know today?

Well publicity like this is good, it makes secular people think of Christian values, and also challenges them to see the hypocrisy of their own governments, when providing appeasement for other religious minorities, yet not of their own.

My question would be - why do we allow crosses, rings, and other symbols of christianity to define our faith?

Those items do not testify of the Gospel of Christ - they testify to the reliance on "things" that one wants to use to justify that they are christians to the world.

As Jesus stated: they will know we are His disciples by our love.

 

[teen4jesus92]

It's really a blessing to hear a teenager declare they are determined to stay pure in this day we live in. Praise God! I wish other teens (and pre-teens as well) would also make this decision. You have been blessed with Godly wisdom! It must be a real inspiration to others!

God bless you, sister! I'm proud of you!

Thanks so much. God bless you too!

My question would be - why do we allow crosses, rings, and other symbols of christianity to define our faith?

Those items do not testify of the Gospel of Christ - they testify to the reliance on "things" that one wants to use to justify that they are christians to the world.

As Jesus stated: they will know we are His disciples by our love.

This is a nice point. Maybe it is too often we have a fish on the back of our car and WWJD bracelet on our wrist, but don't repeatedly show Christ to those around us. Gets you thinkin' about your own life...

 

[Citanul]

What we are seeing here, and once again, is the desire to relegate the Christian faith, upon which our Western Nations were founded, which led to the abolition of slavery, freedom of thought and expression, ect ect. we are witnessing a desire to abolish such idea and thought.

I think that's quite a leap to make. I think the more likely scenario is that the school's dress code forbids the wearing of rings. Also, the wearing of such a ring is not something that's required by Christianity, so it's in no way equivalent to a Muslim headscarf.

That said, when I was at school there was no rule against wearing rings during classes so long as they, and other jewellery, were removed for P.E lessons. So I don't really understand why this school has a problem with students wearing rings, or even other jewellery, during their other lessons.

I don't remember for certain, but I think my school banned all forms of jewellery, with the exception of earrings (girls only) and watches. I think the reasoning behind it was to prevent pupils from coming to school with expensive jewellery, which has the potential for causing all sorts of problems.

 

[teen4jesus92]

I don't remember for certain, but I think my school banned all forms of jewellery, with the exception of earrings (girls only) and watches. I think the reasoning behind it was to prevent pupils from coming to school with expensive jewellery, which has the potential for causing all sorts of problems.

Wow. In Amercia, no one cares about your jewlrey. Since I go to a private Christian school (w/ uniforms next year... ), we can't dye our hair crazy colors or have mohawks, and we can't wear jewlery that "draws un-needed attention to oneself". Like really long or really big earrings, for example. But everything else is fine.

 

[artybloke]

I don't see that she has a leg to stand on. Christianity does not require the wearing of a ring, or a cross, or any other form of jewelry.

If it's against the rules to wear jewelry, however stupid you may find that rule, it's still against the rule. Just as it was against the rules to wear long hair in my boy's grammar school. Didn't stop us boys trying to get away with it, but it didn't stop the teachers from saying "Get it cut, boy," either.

It has nothing to do with persecution of Christians. A ring is not a Christian symbol.

 

[ParsonJefferson]

Wow. In Amercia, no one cares about your jewlrey. Since I go to a private Christian school (w/ uniforms next year... ), we can't dye our hair crazy colors or have mohawks, and we can't wear jewlery that "draws un-needed attention to oneself". Like really long or really big earrings, for example. But everything else is fine.

A side-note...

I believe that most public schools would benefit from a uniform dress code as well.

I think it should be simple - something like: Navy slacks & white polo shirt.



Your thoughts?

 

[cavell]

I think that's quite a leap to make. I think the more likely scenario is that the school's dress code forbids the wearing of rings. Also, the wearing of such a ring is not something that's required by Christianity, so it's in no way equivalent to a Muslim headscarf.



I don't remember for certain, but I think my school banned all forms of jewellery, with the exception of earrings (girls only) and watches. I think the reasoning behind it was to prevent pupils from coming to school with expensive jewellery, which has the potential for causing all sorts of problems.

We have to face the facts......we are looking.....again.....at an attack upon Christianity in the Western world.

Good posts have been made re the blessings, prosperity, health etc., brought to Western Nations due to the Christian faith, its proclaimation, practise and culture.

Today eroded badly....with the result that we are over-run with error, false truth, and debauchery

 

[cavell]

I don't see that she has a leg to stand on. Christianity does not require the wearing of a ring, or a cross, or any other form of jewelry.

If it's against the rules to wear jewelry, however stupid you may find that rule, it's still against the rule. Just as it was against the rules to wear long hair in my boy's grammar school. Didn't stop us boys trying to get away with it, but it didn't stop the teachers from saying "Get it cut, boy," either.

It has nothing to do with persecution of Christians. A ring is not a Christian symbol.

I agree with what you are saying........but we have to get this, because it is happening throught the Western world. This is an attack upon the Christian Faith.

It is because I am a Christian that I raise an objection