Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

When is this stupidity ever going to stop?????


TEENAGE Christian has been banned from wearing a treasured crucifix by her high school.
Jamie Derman, 17, said she was stunned when told she could be suspended from Sunbury Downs Secondary College if she did not remove it.
Her discreet cross was outlawed as part of the multicultural college's new rules on jewellery and dress.
But major churches were united yesterday in criticising the ban, with some saying it thwarted students' religious aspirations.
Ms Derman said she was being discriminated against and prevented from displaying her belief.
"`I am angry, confused and upset," the teenager said.
"I honestly believe I should be allowed to acknowledge (my Christianity).
"Being told to take it off hurts. It cuts really deep."
The cross, which she bought during a family pilgrimage to England, had immense sentimental value because she had lost her baptism gifts, Ms Derman said.
"I can't understand why it is not all right for me to wear a cross," she said.
"I honestly felt like crying."
Her furious father, Gordon, criticised the school and said it was the equivalent of ordering a female Muslim student to take off a religious head dress.
"Nobody should take offence to anybody wearing a religious sign," Mr Derman said.
"She has a right to wear it. I believe it is discriminatory. If we had a Muslim girl come wearing a headscarf, nobody would say `boo' about it."
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne auxiliary bishop Christopher Prouse said genuine Christians should be allowed to wear a crucifix without question.
"A reasonable demonstration of one's faith is something Australians should rejoice in," Bishop Prouse said.
"People's religious aspirations need to be respected."
Anglican Bishop John Wilson, bishop administrator of the Anglican archdiocese of Melbourne, said the wearing of a cross reminded Christians of their faith and could be a source of comfort and strength.
The Uniting Church also questioned the ban.
"Wearing discreet religious symbols is a normal part of life, " a church spokesman said.


Sunbury Downs principal Brett Moore said teachers had enforced a dress code policy instigated by the school council.
"It is not my decision, it is the policy," he said. "Necklaces should not be visible."
Mr Moore said the policy was supported by the majority of parents.

"The policy has been implemented. If the family wishes to seek an exemption there is a process by which that can occur."
Mr Derman said he had tried to discuss the issue with the school, but had not been offered any exemption.
The Department of Education and Training said it did not get involved in uniform policies.
A school's dress code was set by the school council in close consultation with teachers, parents and students to reflect the values of the school community, spokeswoman Lisa Mulhall said.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

It's simple really;she broke the school rules on the wearing of jewellery.End of story.Religion doesn't and shouldn't come into it.Just like schools banning pierced ears and extreme hairstyles.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

When I glanced at this article, I immediately thought it was the Looney Left PC brigade trying to impose their will on the rest of us again. I was surprised, when reading more closely that this incedent occurred in Melbourne, Australia.

Mr Talentedbutslow you have my sympathy. Once these cretins get their feet under the table, common sense goes out of the window. I hope your country doesn't degenerate to the levels that Britain now wallows in, due to over zealous mind-police imposing their will on their fellow citizens.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Hang on a minute;read it again.She was not told to remove it because it was a crucifix,she was told to remove it because it contravened the school rules on jewellery. Don't see a probem with that except the Press trying to put a religious slant on it.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

"Her discreet cross was outlawed as part of the multicultural college's new rules on jewellery and dress."

I wonder if it is just a case of the school banning jewellery - or is it the media putting a slant on the story by using the word "multicultural?"

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

My thoughts exactly Busman;whatever she had round her neck was in contravention of the school dress code,be it a crucifix,a rosary or a dog tag with her name on! Let's not jump on the religious persecution bus at every opportunity eh? :rolleyes:

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

and we all know what the media can stir up ........ im in agreement with lyndsy over this one ...just the school doing its job ie: no jewellry in schools .

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Exactly. I totally agree!

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

YES MUSLIMS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO WEAR HEAD SCARVES AND ROBES ALL THE **** TIME. RARGH..

Threads like these really do no favours for my racial tension.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

This one again, eh ? Yeh, as far as I am concerned zero tolerance with school uniform, like it or lump it. Basic rules .. have to conform in later life if necessary to wear a uniform, so best place to start is school. Only a piece of metal anyway .. if this girl is a true Christian, should be in the heart, not with some sort of jewellery probably made in China .. can always wear it after hours, what difference will it make ?

Schools ask you not to wear it for good reasons...safety, danger of theft and if they give in to one type, goodness knows what would follow. How can parents not support the school, beats me. :mad:

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Do you not think it is a bit too far and PC just over a piece of metal?

She was threatened to get suspended over it! Its ridiculous!

I wish it was me I really do, because Id of said suspend me then!

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

I totally agree with Katex.......
And lol at Morgan_brotherz....what he says is so so true....eg In PE, we had no choice but to wear shorts, even in winter, but Muslims were allowed to wear cosy wooly pants....loverly!...and yes, it IS ridiculous....i got 'done' constantly for wearing my earrings.....i just put them back on after lesson...the next teacher didn't bat an eyelid....if they have rules at least be consistant!!!....well now at college they don't care so... :D
Lea
x

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Would your parents have supported you morgan_brotherz ?.. mmmmm think not somehow. :D

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Different schools have different rules they must comply.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

No. Id of got suspended from my house aswel probably lol :D

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Can I remind everyone that earlier this year, when a Muslim girl was refused to wear her head scarf in college/school whatever it was. She took the school to court for months and months, costing the National Tax payer costs of over £30.000!

Silly girl. Im glad she lost the case.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

At least 10/10 for admitting that MB . :e30: stick that on yer' chart.. tee hee.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Are the teachers abiding by this or is it a different set of rules for them?

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Is anything consistent in this country? why do we hear ' we don't get involved in uniforms, thats up to the school. Rubbish, if they had consistent rules throughout, saying that just because something is religious it doesn't mean it overides a ban on what it is, then everyone would know where they stand. I don't see why a necklace shouldn't be visible though

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

"It is not my decision, it is the policy," he said. "Necklaces should not be visible."
Mr Moore said the policy was supported by the majority of parents.


when i was at school you couldnt wear any jewellary apart from stud earings,didnt stop us tho they sometimes got taken off us till the end of the day,but i think that its wrong to suspend pupils for wearing jewellary it has nothing to do with education,being suspended for that is a bit harsh

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

The title of this thread is misleading. A teenager wasn’t banned from wearing a crucifix. She was banned from wearing a necklace. There is a wealth of difference.

I can only go along with the majority view that rules is rules is rules and if they are broken then the perpetrator should be punished. Whether the rules are good or bad is another issue entirely.

Jamie Derman was told not to wear the necklace or risk suspension if she did. It isn’t clear if she flouted the rules thereafter or if she was suspended though.

This point has already been stated but I will just reinforce the opinion that this storm in a teacup is media generated to sell newspapers.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

don,t honestly see what the problem is:confused: wearing jewellry can be dangerous in a school enviroment,so they have strict rules about the wearing of it. the only problem here is once again caused by the media.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Certainly is dangerous Cashman ... a certain daughter of mine had her ears pierced during the school holidays and was advised to keep the studs in for 6 weeks. Was misinformed by her that the school allowed this, only to be ripped out by the Assistant Headmistress, and ear-lobes left in a pretty nasty state. :eek: Before you ask, no, didn't complain, daughter got what she deserved.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

That would be the end of her career and an assult charge if it happened to one of my children.
All it needed was an instruction to take them out or exclude her until she did, not causing her physical harm.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Well, 'sort of' understand where you coming from Neil, but this was at least 28 years ago, and I know my daughter as being a little more than stroppy at times, and the teacher, although very strict, knew her job, so sometimes there are mitigating circumstances. Always grey areas in these type of incidents and not always just an immediate claim culture attitude.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

I remember a teacher slapping a lad round the back of his head during an exam for talking or something. The boy wet himself ( all over the floor :o ) . The teacher almost did too when the boy told him he had a metal plate in his head and was not supposed to bang it and worked out of the exam. The teacher ran off after him leaving us in the exam on our own :D

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Did ya' pass ?

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

[QUOTE]YES MUSLIMS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO WEAR HEAD SCARVES AND ROBES ALL THE **** TIME. RARGH.. QUOTE]

maybe because jewellery is dangerous in that environment and a headscarf isn't.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

[QUOTE=kash]This about rules Kash, and sticking to them .. the danger just an addition.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Why if people are determined to have their crucifix with them when at school cant it be kept in a pocket or purse??

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

the whole point of the rules is to stop the danger. the danger isn't just an addition.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

Lets just get this clear, anyone bringing religion in to it is wrong to do so as it dosn't matter what was on the end of the necklace, it was a necklace which are not alowed by MANY schools. I had one and was always told to take it off if it was visable and there was no crucifix on.

However I do think there should be consistant rules. If what ploppysirploppy says is true where muslims were allowed to wear pants simply because they have to be covered up then its a shambles.

I think im against religion being an influene on the school/college also. Like "St Marys" and other ones for other faiths. Firstly it does cause segregation, I mean, if I had a choice between a Catholic college and an Islamic college I would choose the Catholic one every time, for many reasons, and im sure many of you would be the same.

It seems to be a massive waste of time to have assemblys based on religion UNLESS you are a strong believer, but its not optional for those of us who are not.
I'm sure the college do it simply because they do get extra money for making everyone do religious studies, but it seems pointless when people are not interested, its just going to put them off religion more.

Re: Teenager banned from wearing a crucifix
 

In this day and age yes...

At my school it was leather straps and some teachers had the one with multiple strips of leather... strange it was such mad school and kids today are far better behaved .. thus proving (in my opinion) that physical punishment doesn't work.

The media have chosen there wording in order to get a reaction and spice up the story... apart from morgan_whatsist you can all see that.. its what the papers do.. amazing that when the same thing happens on your own doorstep with your own local papers who do the same wording tricks to make you think differently...you believe everything you read ...