Student fights to wear Wiccan necklace

Associated Press ^ | September 5, 2002

[spunkets]

"I wonder what they would do if Muslims kids started wearing swastikas to celebrate their beliefs."

There's no prior history of it in their art. So they call the claim a load of BS.

[gdani]

Oh yes they can and they do. That's why you can't pray in aloud in school. The school decides what is disruptive.

You're either grossly misinformed or deliberately misrepresenting facts to fit an agenda.

[Dead Corpse]

Try these:

Pentagram and Pentacle

Pythagoras

Just noticed I got the two in my last post backwards. Switch the -cle and -gram.

[NEWwoman]

Considering some Muslims hatred for Jews, sounds like an appropriate symbol. I've heard one radio personallity call Arafat - Hitler in a Headdress.

[tristam]

One thing to keep in mind is just what is considered a religion? I mean just because something is sacred to YOU doesnt mean its a religion recognized as such by the gov't. Isn't that how it works? I mean if I say MY religion is eating Anchovies only in public, it doesnt matter if I am banned from doing so because its not RECOGNIZED as such by the powers that be (ie. society or govt or whatever). Seems to that the onus is on this youngster to show that her wearing of this thing is indeed part of her religion, by providing proof of involvment with it. I mean just because you have a belief doesnt make it a religion, I believe that to be considered a religion it has to have some organization and participation by others in it....

[Dead Corpse]

So only State Sanctioned religions are OK in your book?

You've got a twisted view of what the word "freedom" means.

[freeeee]

I believe that to be considered a religion it has to have some organization and participation by others in it....

Please pause to consider the origin of Christianity, and then think about what you just said.

BTW, what do you think of what China does to Falun Gong? After all, China doesn't recognize their religion.

[gracie1]

I may get flamed, but I'll say it anyway, the First Admendment applies to all religions, not just Christianity. If the school also bans crosses and stars of David, it can ban pentacles. But if crosses and stars of David are permited, she's got a case. If the schools private they can set any standards they want, the way I see it. If she can stand the heat she'll get for wearing it, so be it.

[AppyPappy]

Wear a large cross upside down in school and let me know what happens.

[gracie1]

Wicca would actualy meet all your requirements.

[gdani]

Wear a large cross upside down in school and let me know what happens.

How large?

[AppyPappy]

Irrelevant. The school can send you home for any reason.

[Dakmar]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[31R1O]

Did you know that the congressional medal of honor points downward as well?

[gdani]

Irrelevant. The school can send you home for any reason.

If they are violating your First Amendment rights they can't -- or don't you think the Bill of Rights applies to public schools and students?

(Well, it's true that they do violate student's Fourth Amendment rights all the time but we're talking #1 not #4)

[gracie1]

Wear a large cross upside down in school and let me what happens.

So the 1st amedment applies only to the popular religions?

[NEWwoman]

Watch out for the 50 pentagrams on the American flag. (They point down when the flag is flown in distress.)

[AppyPappy]

The abolishment of prayer IS a First Amendment violation (free speech). The schools have been violating the First for years.

[goodieD]

gracie dear i'm shocked! LOL.... but seriously.... you have a point.. however where does one draw the line of what is considered a legitimate religion? some 'religions' involved animal sacrifice, smoking peyote, or worshipping satan... is it all or none in these cases? What if I make up a religion that requires me to go nude in public? Still acceptable? Gotta consider these things.

[AppyPappy]

There is no First Amendment in the schools. They suspended that decades ago.