Posted on 04/13/2005 10:57:54 AM PDT by tomball
OTTAWA-Canada's supreme court heard testimony Tuesday on a Sikh teenager who argued that fidelity to his religion would be broken if the government forces him to remove a ceremonial dagger concealed beneath his clothes at school.
The case is being watched closely by some 300,000 Sikhs across Canada, some of whom have vowed to pull their children from public schools if the court rules against the boy. The Indian religion calls on its baptized males to wear the sheathed dagger as a symbol of power and truth, an object meant to cut through evil and deceit.
Sikhs complain that they have faced increased discrimination since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States - in particular bans against wearing turbans in the workplace.
The case began shortly after the terrorist attacks, when Gurbaj Singh Multani - then 12 - was playing at his public elementary school in Montreal. His "kirpan," the small dagger that Orthodox Sikhs never remove, even in their sleep, accidentally dropped from his clothes.
One of the mothers noticed the dagger and complained to the principal, who then told Gurbaj that he had to leave the kirpan at home. The family refused and pulled him from school while the matter went to the school board, which eventually banned Gurbaj from wearing the dagger.
That position was upheld by an appeals court, which ruled that the security of other students should take precedence.
His parents then sent Gurbaj to a private school, where he is allowed to wear the kirpan, but decided to continue to fight the matter.
"There are 300,000 Sikhs living in Canada and they can't all afford to go to private schools," the 15-year-old boy told The Associated Press.
The nine justices said they would rule later this year.
His lawyer, Julius Grey, argued before the court that kirpans were no more dangerous than pens, geometry compasses, art supplies and sports equipment.
A crucifix is kinda pointy and dangerous, too, isn't it?
His lawyer is an idiot.
What about the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch?
I thought this issue had gone away and Sikh kids in school carry a small replica of the dagger.
Does that mean he can call in Sikh?
Luke 22:36 Then said he [Jesus] unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Plastic replica weapons are just as bad as real ones. Get with the program!
Sikhs can never cut their hair, that is why they wear it up in a turban. Also, they wear a bracelet that they can never take off as well as the dagger.
Asatruar also:
38. Let a man never stir on his road a step
without his weapons of war;
for unsure is the knowing when need shall arise
of a spear on the way without.
From the Hávamál.
Kesh: Uncut hair
Kanga: Special comb
Kara: Steel bracelet
Kachehra: breeches for fighting
Kirpan: Dagger
Most Sikhs usually only wear a Kara these days.
A Star of David could make a mean shuriken.
Yeah, but only if you are a master of Kung Jew....
A type of religous diversity I can support.
I have to respect a religon that mandates being armed at all times.
Yes, indeed, you are right on. The original struggle was hard fought and a "Canadian compromise" was arrived at. This much vaunted compromise- 'er the spirit of 'as 'ow Canadians are so much more accomodating than the'Murricans, was absolutely agreed on. They could wear it under the strictest of conditions.
Once again and indeed it epitomises the "struggles" of so-called minorities, when they get a foot in the door. This is also the tactic of the homosexual activists. First get a dispensation to be "left alone". Then scream for preferential treatment- which mostly they get.
Lovely to see Freeper humour on this one. As Lady Macbeth quoth. "Is this a dagger I see before me?". No dear Lady, it is not- you cannot have anyone killed with it. LOL
Ouch, that's bad!
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