School bans 13-year-old from wearing crucifix

[DoctorDoom]

A school provoked fury last night by ordering a devout Catholic schoolgirl to remove her cross necklace because it posed a health and safety risk.

Teachers demanded Samantha Devine remove her chain and tiny crucifix despite allowing Muslim and Sikh pupils to wear symbols of their religion.

Her family have vowed to fight the decision "all the way" claiming it discriminates against Christians.

The case mirrors the row which engulfed British Airways and forced the airline into an embarrassing climbdown after it threatened to sack an employee who insisted on wearing her cross at work.

In the latest clash, 13-year-old Samantha was left in tears after her form teacher told her she must remove her tiny half-inch crucifix and chain.

But her furious family yesterday pointed out the school - Robert Napier in Gillingham, Kent - allows Muslim pupils to wear headscarves and Sikh students to come to lessons with turbans and bangles.Now a school bans 13-year-old from wearing crucifix (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23381527-details/Now+a+school+bans+13-year-old+from+wearing+crucifix/article.do)

Muzzies yes, Christians no. Welcome to the 21st century Europe.

[Beowulf]

Separation of church and state applies to all religions, not just us Christians. Either it applies to all or none.

[Popperite]

Separation of church and state applies to all religions, not just us Christians. Either it applies to all or none.

They don't have seperation of Church and State in Britain.

[Longhorn_Platinum]

:unsmile: Officially, we don't have it here.

[DesertFox]

:flame: And the Lefties will piously and with a straight face wonder why we would be upset.

[markus3622]

I remember at my UK school, all jewellery was banned for health and safety reasons. Girls couldn't wear earrings, and so I guess the School has decided not to allow necklaces.

[DesertFox]

Just for Christians who have a crucifix attached.

[markus3622]

No I remember it was all jewellery. What the girl is asking for is special dispensation for her jewellery because it has a religious significance for her. The concept of school uniform is quite ingrained in the UK, and I think most people support it.

The vast majority of schools ban jewellery as part of their uniform policies and head teachers' leaders remained defiant last night, declaring all neck chains - regardless of whether they are religious - must stay banned for health and safety reasons.

[Kathy30]

Sikh boys must wear a knife at all times. i guess this isn't jewelry.

[DesertFox]

Markus, the original article notes "bangles," which are jewelry and are permiitted Sikhs. You are evidently mistaken.

[markus3622]

The article states that bangles can be worn, but their newsletter clearly states that for pupils in years 7-10 (aged 11-15), jewellery and makeup is not permitted. If bangles are permitted, that would be against school policy.

Interestingly, for a school that discriminates against Christians, it has a nativity play and a Christmas Carol Service.

http://www.robertnapier.medway.sch.uk/the_voice_pdfs/The_Voice_31_1-8.pdf

[Popperite]

:unsmile: Officially, we don't have it here.

That depends on how you define it. In the US the church is not an office or department of the state. That's basically what it means. In England it is. (I said Britain before, but it's only applicable in England).

[The Barbarian]

In England, there's nothing whatever to prevent the state from saying that only Christian symbols are banned.

In this country, that's not the case. If I remember correctly a public school system in Pike County, Alabama signed an out-of-court settlement in which they agreed to not restrict the rights of students to wear religious items.

That particular case involved the Star of David being declared a "Gang symbol", but it applies to all religions.

[Popperite]

In England, there's nothing whatever to prevent the state from saying that only Christian symbols are banned.

In this country, that's not the case. If I remember correctly a public school system in Pike County, Alabama signed an out-of-court settlement in which they agreed to not restrict the rights of students to wear religious items.

That particular case involved the Star of David being declared a "Gang symbol", but it applies to all religions.

Apparently the thing was about jewelry. Creating a riot is an easy thing to do when you put your mind to it. It also helps to have print media with high standards of integrity like they have in the UK.:roar:

[star2589]

but but but....

if she trips and falls the necklass might pierce her heart! thats not safe!