This is the Netherlands too... what do you think?

Question

In the Netherlands a 16 year old boy is not welcome on the reformational school because he has TV and Internet at home. The school has especially problems with his sister who sometimes wears trousers. And the school doesn't approve of the fact this family uses another bible translation.
The parents sued the school, but they lost the case. The judge said the identity of the school was more important.

I thought these things didn't happen in the Netherlands... Who thinks the school was right not to admit the boy?

See, this is why I'm better off not asking serious questions.

I was talking about a Reformational school.

Answer 1

Wow. That sounds like something that would only happen in Kansas! I very sorry to hear it.

I'm not sure whether you are talking about a Reform school (school for juvenile delinquents) or a Reformational school (Protestant Christian).

It seems kind of stupid either way, but if it's a religious thing then they might have strict guidelines as to gender roles & whether their followers are allowed things like TV and internet. The Amish here are like that, although the way I understand it is that if you go outside the norm they just go ahead & "shun" you, rather than going to court. Followers of the religion understand that, or they wouldn't be following, I suppose. Perhaps this family didn't read the handbook closely enough?

Answer 2

While I am no expert on the Netherlands, I would merely say that I would see it as the state not wishing to regulate where it feels it has no right to. The school has a right to conduct its business as it sees fit and as long as they are transparant about what they will and will not accept, they can enforce their rules as they see fit. What is important is that the school has the freedom to do this without intervention from the state (just, I guess, as the state in the Netherlands does not interfere as far into prostitution and sale of soft drugs as many other state governments do/ would). Presumably there is another school available for the boy, particularly as the one he has been refused entry to seems to be a specialised establishment. I would have to say that the action taken by the parents to sue the school was perhaps the least well-advised thing in the entire story. This may not be right, or even what you believe yourself, but is at least serious....

Answer 3

Sounds like the nutters are back at work. Reminds me of a school in the US where to get extra credit, you do some kind of community service. So he decided the best use of his time would be to picket gay funerals with a sign saying 'God hates fags'. The school tried to stop him, but his Grandfather, a Minister in a church(!) sued the school and they lost. As Jon Stewart says 'Religion. It gives hope to all those people around the world, whose lives have been ruined by religion'.

ps. Just realised that you are talking about a young offenders place, not a church school, right?

Answer 4

. . . we used to have reform schools in the UK and any kid sent to Borstal would have been pleased to be not welcome and go back home to his TV and Internet . . .

and as for his sister, maybe if she wore some other clothing with the trousers, it wouldn't be such a problem - less interesting, but not so much a problem . . .

and would that bible translation by any chance be the Torah - after Ann Frank you guys should be more tolerant . . .

Answer 5

And people think only Islam has the fundamentalist franchise.
This happens today in one of the most tolerant societies in the world.
What will happen in yours tomorrow? Is the world moving in the direction of fundamentalism, fanaticism and intolerance?

Answer 6

I got bored reading the explaination to your question...so i'll jus say this...Heb een aardige dag!

Answer 7

hoe gaat het met jo

Answer 8

freedom