MrSpkr's random thoughts . . .: Multiculturalism is where all cultures are equal . . .

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Multiculturalism is where all cultures are equal . . .
unless they are based upon Christianity, or were developed by Northern Europeans, in which case they are markedly inferior.

From Drudge:

UK: GIRL SENT HOME FROM SCHOOL FOR WEARING A CRUCIFIX
Mon Dec 05 2005 19:45:41 ET

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."

In other words, the little Christian kid can't where a crucifix (which, in the Catholic tradition, is used in daily prayers), but the Sikh, the Muslim, the Hindu are allowed to wear theirs.

Because, of course, their religion is entitled to more latitude in such matters than is a mere Christian's.

Sometimes, I think I agree with Oriana Fallaci. "I do not believe the West will win."
- posted by MrSpkr @ 09:12

Comments:

This says more about you than it says about the facts of the case. The girl in question is not a christian and has a mother who has a grudge against the school.

As for the school the chair of governors is a Christian and the staff has a strong Christian presence. This is not about religion but about safety.

# posted by

Stephen : Tuesday, December 06, 2005 12:38:00 PM

Stephen, can you explain how a girl wearing a crucifix could possibly be considered a threat to "safety"?

Setting aside motives of the girl -- not indicated in the story, and frankly irrelevant to the argument -- why can a Sikh wear religious jewelry, but not a Christian? What possible difference is there? If jewelry is dangerous, then the Sikh should not be granted an exception; neither should a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew or a Hindu.

# posted by

MrSpkr : Tuesday, December 06, 2005 5:36:00 PM

At times kids need protecting from themselves. Kids yanking jewelry has often been used as a way of hurting other kids. In order to avoid it the school prohibits wearing it. It simply saves hurt, pain, time and effort sorting it out.

An exception is made where a religion claims that some jewelry is seen as essential. (As a Christian it is alien to me that any form of jewelry should be seen as essential, but there you have it!) Any child of any religion can make this claim, provided some authority within the religion can back it up. In this case the mother was asked to get her Catholic priest to write such a letter for her daughter. However, since the girl has never attended church the mother was not able to, not that any priest would write such a letter.

You see, you just read ill-informed news reports. I am much closer to the situation and know much more than I can tell you about this family and the situation.

# posted by

Stephen : Tuesday, December 06, 2005 6:16:00 PM

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