Girl banned from wearing cross

Girl banned from wearing cross

“Crucifix breaks health and safety rules, school tells Catholic girl”

A Catholic girl was asked not to wear a crucifix on a chain at school because it breached health and safety rules, her father said yesterday. ... Deputy head teacher Paul Jackson defended the school’s stance. He said: “The school has a policy of no jewellery to be worn by any students in years seven to 10. All parents and students are aware of this.

“The only exception to our uniform rule we would consider making is if the jewellery were an essential requirement of a particular religion.

“We have no reason to believe this to be the case in this instance.”

So it’s not really about health and safety, but more about regulations of school uniforms. They don’t say why students in years 7 to 10 are not allowed to wear jewelry, but my guess is that it’s the same reason you often have school uniforms: to prevent wealthier kids from lording their status over poor kids by wearing distinctive clothing. Yet, a crucifix?

Perhaps the crucifix is no longer deemed an essential aspect of Christianity since it’s been so watered down. So many pop stars and celebrities wear them now with complete disregard for their significance and meaning that they’ve become meaningless.

I’m reminded of the song “Cross of Gold” by Christian singer Michael W. Smith:

What’s your line/Tell me why you wear your cross of gold/State of mind/Or does it find a way into your soul.

Is it a flame/Is it a passion/A symbol of love living in you/Or is it a game/Religious in fashion/Some kind of phase you’re going thru?

On the other hand, the way things are going in Britain, it’s just as possible that she’s been told not to wear the cross so that it won’t offend Muslim students.

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