Posted on 12/05/2005 4:56:28 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
A school today defended its decision to exclude a pupil after she refused to take off her crucifix necklace.
Sam Morris, 16, was told to remove her cross and chain on Thursday by deputy head teacher Howard Jones at Sinfin Community School in Derby.
When the year-11 student refused she was told not to return until today and without the item of jewellery.
The 1,070-student comprehensive has a strict policy which bans most jewellery being worn.
Items can be worn out of view or if they are part of religious beliefs, such as the Kara, a bracelet worn by Sikh males.
But the policy has been described as "unfair" by Sam's mother, Debra Saunders.
Sinfin Community School deputy head teacher Howard Jones said her daughter's one-day exclusion had been a "last resort" after a 30-minute conversation failed to persuade her to take it off.
He said: "There was a long period of persuasion with her and she was given time. It was only at the end of that that I reluctantly had to exclude her for a day.
"I met with her mother today and readmitted her daughter."
Mr Jones said the strict jewellery policy, which bans large earrings or items worn on the outside of clothing - was to avoid accidents and to remove temptation from thieves.
However, Sikh male pupils are allowed to wear the Kara, one of five physical symbols worn by followers of the faith.
Mr Jones said: "As a Christian I don't have to wear a crucifix but Sikhs don't have that option and we have to be understanding. We live in a multi-faith society."
Mrs Saunders, of Thackeray Street, Sinfin, told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "Sam has worn this necklace for more than three years and it is of great sentimental value to her.
"No-one has told her to take it off before and she doesn't want to.
"She thinks it is very unfair when other people are allowed to wear religious symbols and it just ends up creating a divide between the pupils when everyone is told they should be living in unity."
Developing...
I just gotta shake my head in disbelief at the PC overload that's taking place. Anyone can wear anything they want unless he/she is a christian, then everything is out of bounds..
And why do they wear those braclets? What would happen if they took them off?
Misleading headline -- BTTT
I don't think this is a minor matter, I think it's an outrage. And a clear case of discrimination against someone with Christian beliefs.
And it appears some are more equal than others.
Pure discrimination - against Christian females.
Well, it sure as heck shouldn't be a multi-faith society. Britain has been and should always remain a Christian nation populated by British. These Asians have plenty of land of their own - why can't they stay there? Why does the world feel the need to move to such a small place...known as Europe? I know why, of course, but they shouldn't be allowed to.
This article is worthless - it doesn't give enough information about the school policy to form an opinion. If the school policy literally says that students may wear jewelry items "if they are part of religious beliefs," then yes, a crucifix meets that standard. But we don't know the wording of the policy. What if it only allows items specifically mandated by one's religion? The crucifix doesn't meet this standard. All in all, this article is just flamebait to rile up the people, but contains no real information.
She was excluded for one day from school, his excusion someday may be for a much longer time.
It's amazing to watch the anti-religion crowd spin their excuses.
Outrageous! And I am a non-religious person.
I was in a spelling bee once in the 4th grade the word that got me was Jewelry.
If these students are really Sikh, then besides the Kara, they are taking their Kirpans to school. They are not allowed to be without the "5 Ks".
So these guys carry swords to school, correct?
(the Kirpan is a sword)
Perhaps they're magic bracelets that deflect bullets, just like the ones Wonder Woman wears.
;)
Sexual and religious discrimination! Cha-ching for the lawyers!
I'm sure you meant something by this nonsensical post, but I just don't get it.
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