No-contact order over a student's rosary

http://mynorthwest.com/646/549684/Nocontact-order-over-a-students-rosary ^ | 9/26/2011 | Linda Thomas

[famousdayandyear]

I read and reread your response which I solicited. Your FIRST post and SECOND post to me came out of the blue. Reading them its hard to believe I am actually on your side.

But I asked you to comment on what I wrote SPECIFICALLY, which did not happen. Instead I receive a rant about government schools taking away or not taking away religious rights. If you would care to respond to my exact wording that you find so offensive, please do. Otherwise, you come across to me as rather frantic

[wintertime]

So I guess I would side with the principal maybe for a different reason.
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This is the sentence. To support the government school principal for any reason is to support government school spiritual tyranny.

[famousdayandyear]

The principal may have discerned that it is inappropriate to “wear” a rosary—the school probably has a stringent dress code (hopefully).

As to your post back to me, the words are wildly fanatical; as if you are not able to rationally hear and respond to another opinion. I’ve stated to you that I, too, am disgusted with public schools yet you rave at me for reasons known only to yourself. Like Sarah Palin. Only SHE knows.

[goat granny]

I don't really see what it matters if someone thinks the boy was acting devoutly or not...that is a subjective judgment, I find I agree with most of your posts, they are thoughtful and kind but in this one I do disagree. The religious reasons for wearing the rosary are really not in question but the right of the person to show their religious feelings via wearing the rosary around his neck and to do so without being threatened by someone in authority over them

Could it be possible that a prayer was answered by the student praying the rosary and it was promised that if the prayer was granted, appreciation would be shown by publicly wearing the rosary....I am not saying that happened, but it could also go to the rational for the boy wearing it, thats why I say I cannot make a judgment on the religious aspects of this...

[FreeDeerHawk]

Devout Catholics don’t wear rosaries around their necks. Student should have carried it in his pocket.

[abigkahuna]

I sell at county and state fairs in five states, including WA State. In the Mexican culture I have seen both "gang bangers" and non "gang bangers" wear the rosary as a necklace. In fact it is sold at fairs through many booths. We don't sell them, but others do.

I understand the argument of rosary as jewelry, and probably some folks do wear it as jewelry. But, I have seen other folks, wear the rosary, as a necklace, because it represents their faith, however deep, or shallow it may be.

I would take the wearing of the rosary by this kid at face value and the fact that some court official somewhere believed that the principal was a threat to this kid. Maybe the kid is a not what he wants to portray, but somewhere along the line, I think this principal stepped over the line.

[wintertime]

Fundamentally, First Amendment Rights and government schools can not be reconciled.

The only solution is to begin the process of privatization. Let these matters be settled privately between parents and principles in private settings.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Your interpretation is both reasonable and charitable. I thank you for it.

I guess I am thrown somewhat off-track because people like Madonna (not Our Blessed Lady, but --- you know who I'm talking about) who started off 30 years ago wearing a rosary as a necklace with the crucifix dangling over her famous flashing breasts, turning the rosary into a slut fashion statement; and then different color rosaries became identifying regalia for gangbangers whose heartfelt interests include drugs, prostitution, and murder.

Sometimes I suffer a painful mix of anger and depression over the way everything sacred to me gets seized upon and perverted by those who sling them around as trifles, or overtly mock our good Lord, our blessed Lady, and all things holy. The tears overflow my eyes.

[goat granny]

The world is sure full of scum and those that use religion to shock or show disgust of all things religious. Its always been that way and it always will be that way. You can just chalk it up to pure ignorance or hate, pity is what those need that use religious symbols to shock. (or sometimes a punch in the nose, depending on the size of the fool :O). But then again you already know this....GG

[Bigg Red]

Sorry, but I am not following what you said to me.

What do you mean by “Maryland!= Texas.”?

What do you mean when you say, “the Church here is older than Baltimore.”? The Church where?

[BenKenobi]

The Catholic church has had missions in operation in TX longer than the Church has existed in Baltimore.

I also was saying that the Catholic church in Maryland is not the same as the one here in Texas. != means not equal.

Arguing that the Catholic church in Texas ought to accept the norms in Baltimore makes no sense to me.

[BenKenobi]

Oh for sure, but that doesn’t mean that it cannot be worn in an appropriate fashion by devout Catholics. Just because different Catholics have different norms doesn’t make them less devout.

And I say this as an English Catholic myself. I do not wear a rosary around my neck (or on my car), I’m not sure why a rosary on my neck is worse than having my car wear one.

[Mrs. Don-o]

You’re probably right about that.