Teacher told: Ditch the Star of David

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Friday, February 6, 2004

[JohnHuang2]

BRAVE NEW SCHOOLS
Teacher told: Ditch
the Star of David
Officials say small piece of jewelry could provoke Muslim students

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Posted: February 6, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

A teacher in Norway has been told to stop wearing the Star of David he normally hangs around his neck because it might provoke the many Muslim students at the school where he works.

According to a report in the Aftenposten newspaper of Oslo, officials from the Kristiansand Adult Education Center, a government institution, told Inge Telhaug he could no longer wear the 0.6-inch-wide piece of jewelry.

"I can't accept this. It is a small star, 16 millimeters, that I have around my neck, usually under a T-shirt. I see it as my right to wear it," Telhaug told Norwegian Broadcasting.

Although Telhaug is not Jewish, he said he sees the Star of David as "the oldest religious symbol we have in our culture, because without Judaism there would be no Christianity."

Telhaugh, who teaches immigrants Norwegian language and culture, said the restriction violates his free-speech rights.

Kjell Gislefoss, principal of the school, was especially concerned about the symbol offending Palestinian immigrants at the school.

"The Star of David would be a symbol for one side in what is perhaps the world's most inflamed conflict at the moment. Many have a traumatic past that they have escaped and then we feel that if they are going to learn Norwegian then they can't sit and at the same time be reminded of the things they have traveled from," Gislefoss said, according to the Aftenposten report.

Telhaugh has hired an attorney to help him fight the restriction.

The head of the Education Association in Kristiansand, Heidi Hauge Uldal, called the school's decision "unacceptable," saying her group did not want to go the way of France and forbid all religious symbols in schools.

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[JohnHuang2]

Friday, February 6, 2004

Quote of the Day by river rat

[freebilly]

Although Telhaug is not Jewish, he said he sees the Star of David as "the oldest religious symbol we have in our culture, because without Judaism there would be no Christianity."

Pretty interesting comment. I'm a Christian and watched a video of the Lubavitcher Rebbe today and found myself extremely moved and extremely grateful for Judaism.

I may take to wearing a Star of David myself....

[Caipirabob]

A teacher in Norway has been told to stop wearing the Star of David he normally hangs around his neck because it might provoke the many Muslim students at the school where he works.

It's time to fight back or lie down and die.

[risk]

Moderates?

[Dante3]

This is outrageous, a reflection of hatered of Jews. Norway has hardly any Muslims though perhaps they want more to build up anti-Jewish sentiments.

[Eurotwit]

norway has more than 100 000 muslims and about 1000 jews.

[Dante3]

I knew Norway was Lutheran, I didn't realize there were this many Muslims. On its way to become anti-Isreal?

In any case, the message is: Its okay to offend Jews.

[Eurotwit]

I think the situation is getting crazy all over Europe. This with the teacher and the star of david is shocking. I watched an interview with him last night on the news. The star is absolutely tiny.

I think the story is absolutely outrageous, and it has caused some outrage here in Norway. But, as everywhere else the population seems to be increasingly polarised. The minister for education went public and said the teacher has the right to wear the star of david. I guess the minister has little choice since she is vehemently against a ban of the islamic veil.

As for your question: I am sad to say that it seems like large sectors of Norwegian society is becoming frightenly anti-Israel.

[Xenalyte]

Good God almighty. Who cares what people wear around their neck? I don't care if you wear a Star of David, a cross, an upside-down cross, a pentacle, a skull, a cameo, a koozie, a trophy, a mantel clock, a Caddy hood ornament . . . it's JEWELRY, for God's sake.

[smith288]

I have seen a few Christians wear the Star of David. I once asked a person wearing one if they were Jewish (we were in "diversity class" and she was sceptical of Islam post 9-11) and I asked if she was Jewish. She said no, she is a Christian and likes the Star.

[varon]

Kjell Gislefoss, principal of the school, was especially concerned about the symbol offending Palestinian immigrants at the school.

Hmmm, very interesting in that the principal chooses to offend his teacher who I presume is a Norwegian citizen rather than immigrant Palestinians by elevating the Palestinian immigrant's religious beliefs over those of a Norwegian citizen.

[Corin Stormhands]

I may take to wearing a Star of David myself....

I bought myself a Star of David in Israel 20 years ago. May have to see if I can find it.