He could flip the necklace around and have the cross between his shoulder blades, or just pocket it. Lengthen the chain before wearing it to school again.
I know principals are as likely as anyone to make dumb and arbitrary decisions, but whether it's a crucifix, a rebel flag, a Malcolm X cap or a beer company logo, school officials have to make those calls every day.
Do something, get sued. Do nothing, get sued. School principals are not legal scholars, but most are hard-working and well-meaning. They don't need that s--t. They need a bright clear line, rules they can read and follow.
I'm sure there will be a lot of battles over what the standards should be -- I can hear the screaming about hijab coming over the next ridge -- but we need lear and consistent standards, and immunity for officials who act within those standards. Either that, or keep watching these cases pop up in court every other week.
There are clear and consistent rules. The same government that cannot ESTABLISH a state religion cannot PROHIBIT that religion EITHER.
The prohibition on public display on public property has now extended to personal expression as well. The words Jesus and God may only be used as profanities in the public school.
Jawohl, Mein Fuehrer!
Exactly!
A police enforced government school will **ALWAYS** be in a Catch 22 situation. Always! It can not maintain order and prevent chaos, and respect the many conflicting First Amendment Rights of its many students. Some groups will have their most precious family religious, cultural, and political worldviews **established** by the police enforced government schools, and other families will have their traditions trashed.
Solution: Begin the process of privatizing universal K-12 education.
School principals are not legal scholars, but most are hard-working and well-meaning.
From their SAT and GRE scores it is evident they are not too bright, but well meaning Useful Idiots for the Marxists who have government education by the neck.
They don't need that s--t. They need a bright clear line, rules they can read and follow.
Clear lines are impossible because government schools can NOT simultaneously uphold and establish the many conflicting religious, cultural, and political worldviews of its students. Some families will have their religious, cultural, and political worldviews established, others will have their's trashed!
I'm sure there will be a lot of battles over what the standards should be -- I can hear the screaming about hijab coming over the next ridge --
There have been battles over government schools from the beginning. Why do you think the Catholic parochial schools were opened?
but we need lear and consistent standards, and immunity for officials who act within those standards. Either that, or keep watching these cases pop up in court every other week.
Clear standards are impossible without the government forcefully using police threat to trash the religious, political, and cultural traditions of a **LOT** of families.
By the way, if you are government school employee, or governemnt teacher, I am amazed that your college of education did not discuss with you the fundamental conflict that exists between compulsory government schools, freedom of conscience, and threat of police, court, and foster care action.