Sikh bracelets, but no Christian rings at school bans pupils from wearing 'purity rings'

Telegraph ^ | 06/18/06 | Elizabeth Day

[bruinbirdman]

Sikh bracelets, but no Christian rings at school bans pupils from wearing 'purity rings'

A group of teenage Christians have been banned by a secondary school from wearing "purity rings" as a symbol of their religious belief in chastity until marriage.

At least one of the dozen pupils, who all attend the same girls' comprehensive in Horsham, West Sussex, is considering legal action against the Millais School for "a breach of human rights".

Although the school allows Muslim and Sikh pupils to wear headscarves or kara bracelets as a means of religious expression, the purity ring - a small band of silver engraved with a Biblical verse and worn as a declaration of abstinence from sexual relations - is not allowed because it is considered to be jewellery.

Lydia Playfoot, 15, who started wearing her purity ring to the school in June 2004, described its policy as "really unfair".

"My friends and I have had detentions and been taught in isolation for wearing the ring," she said. "I feel like I've been treated the same as someone who is caught bringing cannabis into school."

The increasing popularity of The Silver Ring Thing, an American Christian movement that launched in Britain in 2004 and promotes abstinence before marriage, has encouraged a growing number of adolescents to make a "pledge of chastity".

The movement's followers wear a silver ring to demonstrate their commitment. More than 20,000 teenagers have signed up at roadshows in America and Britain.

Staff at the Millais School insist, however, that the uniform dress code stipulates that no jewellery is to be worn, other than a small pair of ear studs.

Lydia said that her ring was more than a "trivial" accessory. "My ring is a symbol of my religious faith," she said. . . .

[CzarNicky]

"My friends and I have had detentions and been taught in isolation for wearing the ring," I'd wear it just to get away from the other students.

[Mr. Mojo]

Although the school allows Muslim and Sikh pupils to wear headscarves or kara bracelets as a means of religious expression, the purity ring - a small band of silver engraved with a Biblical verse and worn as a declaration of abstinence from sexual relations - is not allowed because it is considered to be jewellery.

And bracelets aren't considered jewelry?

[Tribune7]

I think the administration is just trying to make chastity cool.

[Skooz]

The increasing popularity of The Silver Ring Thing........ promotes abstinence before marriage

Can't have that.

[Tabi Katz]

Calling the ACLU!

[cricket]

Christians better get their own lobby going. . .the Muslims are winning, big time.

This is so sad; 'too late smart' has already been a painful lesson; and yet. . .what ignorance abounds where Liberals tread. . .

[Lizavetta]

I for one am so tired of people thrusting their sex lives - in whatever proclivity, fetish, or lack thereof it is - into the public's face.

It's like your tax forms and what you do in the bathroom - it's PRIVATE and to make it public is tacky.

That said, it surprises me not at all that all other forms of sexual expression is allowed and anything Christian is not. Typical diversity freaks who love diversity until THEY have to tolerate something they don't like.

[ConservaTexan]

This will never work, what are they supposed to do with all the condoms in the school clinic if everyone starts wearing purity rings???/sarc

[xzins]

the uniform dress code stipulates that no jewellery is to be worn, other than a small pair of ear studs.

As long as that is equally enforced, I do not see discrimination against these girls. Headscarves are not jewelry.

However, BRACELETS are jewelry, so it is NOT being equally enforced.

[muawiyah]

Many Christians believe that real Christians wear no adornment of any kind at any time.

Still, I don't recall any particular sect that has ever encouraged "purity rings".

[Toadman]

"I think the administration is just trying to make chastity cool."

LOL... I wouldn't be surprised if you're right!

[metmom]

Not *many*, *some* perhaps even very few. Ceratinly none I've ever met.

[VOYAGER]

School bans "purity rings"!

Typical response by and from a puling administration!

Betcha they won't be proud of that cowardly decision in the future!

[Oztrich Boy]

ald story http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1293574/posts

[Oztrich Boy]

And bracelets aren't considered jewelry?

Will you agree to ban wearing crucifixes at schools?

[Mr. Mojo]

Personally, I don't give a crap what any school decides to ban. I was merely exposing their ridiculous argument that the rings aren't allowed because they're considered jewerly, when kara bracelets (which are obviously jewelry as well) are allowed.

[Windsong]

Christians better get their own lobby going. . .the Muslims are winning, big time.

How about another Crusades era? :)

Works for me.

[nmh]

"At least one of the dozen pupils, who all attend the same girls' comprehensive in Horsham, West Sussex, is considering legal action against the Millais School for "a breach of human rights". "

Go for it!

Put them out of business.

Kids can mutilate their faces and bodies with NO QUESTIONS ASKED but something like THIS is banned?