My school blocked a Pagan website that I want to go on and usually do. Should I complain to the principal?

Question

I believe this is religious discrimination.

Though I am young, I am a First Degree Priestess trying to earn her Second Degree in the Nativist Tradition.

I can't do this is if the website is blocked, however. It is something very new, and it bothers me because the website does NOT talk about sex, killing, murdering, hacking, or anything illegal.

"This page will not be displayed because it contains prohibited words or it has exceeded its tolerance of questionable words." Is the message displayed, and it had a DDR Score of 595. The higher the number, the worse the website.

Should I go complain? I think I should, but, I'm not exactly sure on how to go about it.

Answer 1

It does seem to be religious discrimination. I think you should write to a local, liberal, newspaper and your headteacher.

Answer 2

Complain all you want, but look at the warning a little better.

This page will not be displayed because it contains prohibited words or it has exceeded its tolerance of questionable words." Is the message displayed, and it had a DDR Score of 595. The higher the number, the worse the website.

All it takes is one word to for that come up. Even if it's taken out of context. I've had normal pages bring that error up because someone wrote about chickens and used the word c0ck. IT wasn't used in a sexual manner, but it was a prohibitied word. For all you know, that is the case and you're making a big stink and screaming religious discrimination for nothing.

Use your computer at home.

Answer 3

I would definately ask why it was blocked for starters. It could be that it scans for certain keywords and for all you know they had an article about sex magick, or why Pagans aren't sex fiends, or why blood sacrifice is inappropriate or phallic symbols that day or the blocker might use some central service off-site that isn't necessarily affiliated with your school.

Talk to the sysadmin or the librarian (if you're using a library computer) or the dean and see if they know it is blocked and if they can get it unblocked. (Even when keywords flags sites, someone should be able to override that with an "allow" tag)

I would start with the assumption that it is a mistake before I start to get defensive. If they become defensive, or if there's a problem getting it unblocked, only then would I start complaining and then only if they do allow other religious websites. I'd definately write a letter to the editor of the school newspaper and maybe call my lawyer if they're being real butts about it.

Answer 4

If you're getting a page like the one you're referencing, what you're seeing is the result of an automated filtering software. Most of these are based on crtieria provided by the software manufacturer. Chances are, it's not something that your school specifically blocked - it's more likely that they chose a category or keyword that triggered it, or got an update from the manufacturer that reclassified certain sites.

First thing I'd recommend would be to check on what your school's internet usage policy is - see if they have any info on what they allow or don't allow. After you've checked that, you'd want to find out who is in charge of the IT department - if they've got a computer helpdesk or something, that's probably the best initial contact. Starting out calm is probably the best - just let them know that a site is being blocked that you feel shouldn't be, give the address and the reasons why you want it unblocked. Refer to the policy if possible. Chances are, you'll be dealing with a tech who probably doesn't care if that site is blocked or not.

Answer 5

Perhaps try writing a letter of complaint to the principal. You should probably back this up with a brief description of your religious beliefs, emphasizing what you said here - the site is not about sex, killing, etc. and that that is not the purpose of your religion either. If you no some other pagans in your school, perhaps try to get them to work with you or co-sign the letter. While I think you have a perfectly valid complaint, I don't know that your school will agree. A lot of people would look at paganism as a cult, not a valid religion, and there's so much hype about it that they may or may not believe what you tell them. Good luck if you decide to go through with this, though.

Answer 6

I admire your motivation to stand up for what you believe in. The first thing you might do is find out why exactly the site was blocked: what words does the school consider questionable/prohibited that are on the site? It's best to understand the reasons behind their action before confronting your school about it. That way, your principal will see that you've put effort and thought into your protest, rather than just "whining."

Before you talk to your principal, think carefully about how you want to present your case: what reasons and logic will you give for unblocking the site? Be careful to be respectful of his/her point of view--you'll earn respect by doing so. Explain your case calmly--don't yell, roll your eyes, or do anything like that. Talk about your experience with that website--tell your principal the positive things that you've gained from it, as well as your belief that blocking it is religious discrimination. Your principal, who I'm guessing is not a Pagan, is probably not very familiar with the religion. Perhaps the site was blocked because one parent freaked out and complained. At any rate, try to familiarize your principal with your point of view so that s/he can understand that there's more than one perspective out there and that this site is very important to you.

If your principal refuses to unblock the site, DO NOT get fired up and act offended/angry/sour. That will only worsen the situation. Keep in mind that there's more than one way to get accomplished what you want, and if meeting with your principal doesn't work, you'll have back-up plans. For instance, you can talk to other students and draw up a petition supporting the site. You can ask other students to talk to the principal and teachers about the dillemma so that it gets out in the open. You can bring the issue to the school board (which often has a lot of power in schools) or to the PTA.

Good luck, and I hope some of that helps. Don't let this get you down! Keep up the good work, and congrats on making the First Degree Priestess. I personally am not very familiar with the organization of that religion, but it sounds like a big deal to me! :)

Answer 7

I think you should approach someone in authority of this. Maybe check out some Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.. sites and see if they load. then you can go to your principle or a sympathetic teacher and plead your case. Explain that this is your religion and it has nothing to do with Satanism or cult type stuff. Don't be afraid to show them that you are passionate about your chosen religion and that you feel like you are being discriminated against.

IF they block ALL religious site then they can fall back on the seperation of church and state crap and say that no religious websites are to be viewed at school. If not then you are discriminated against and feel free to mention the word lawyer, or law suit if they try and blow you off. Administraters hate things like that. But, then again, if you create too much of a stink it could effect your school career and that could effect your future.

If you can get an activist type teacher to back you up or a large number of other students this might help as well.

Good luck

Answer 8

As a student, you do not have the same rights to religious access at school as adults do in the general public. If the government prohibited the public's access to that website on home and business computers, as might be done in China, then you could complain about first amendment rights discrimination. Even then, it would be a free speech issue, not a religious one. As a juvenile in school, however, you have no right to such a complaint. In theory, the school doesn't have to allow access by minors to any websites at all. They let you see what they think is most appropriate to your studies, and that's that.

You might have an axe to grind if they were permitting access to all Christian websites and prohibiting access to pagan ones merely on the basis of the site's subject matter. But since they have apparently prohibited on the basis of word content, then you really have no recourse. It's not discrimination unless you can prove that a Christian website with the same number of questionable and prohibited words were allowed. Even then, I still think it's more of a free speech issue. You have no constitutionally protected right to force a school to supply you with reading material about your religion, and that goes with Christians, as well.

Think about all the books that get banned each year by school boards. Like it or not, schools have a right to select what material they feel is "appropriate" for minors, and there's not much you can do about it. Your only option would be to get a huge group of petitioners together to appear in front of the school board with hard evidence that access to non-Christian religious websites is routinely denied, while access to Christian websites is allowed. You would have to show that either the Christian websites have a similar amount of prohibited and questionable words or else that the words they have prohibited or questioned are themselves questionable. You should try to obtain a list of what those words are, in the mean time.

My experience with school board complaints is they won't listen to you, even if you have a convincing case that could possibly result in a lawsuit. They're used to lawsuit threats, so that won't help either. Best of luck in any case.

Answer 9

Depends. Some of the pagan websites do have some words associated with sexuality on them because of some of the rites. I know this because I have explored many of the larger ones. They might be innocent on the page, but if it comes up on the filter, there's not much you can do.

This might be a lost cause for you.

Also, I would not look up websites: 1) That you don't want everyone knowing you're on. 2) Ones that you wouldn't at home.

I don't know if those apply to you, but...

I honestly don't think you should be using a school resources to be looking up anything religious unless that is a part of your studies anyway.

Answer 10

Ask Christian kids if they are allowed to access Christian sites. Why are you even accessing the internet during school hours anyway? That is my tax money and you want me to feel sorry that you can't have your entertainment when you should be studying? I am sorry, but when you learn to be responsible with taxpayer money then you can ask something like that. On the other hand, do you think your principal thinks pagansim is promoting a negative image? Why don't you ask him why that is, and then if you believe paganism is beneficial to society and culture then why don't you start promoting the good of it. And I as a Christian feel also that Christian children should not be using the internet either unless it is for study. Were you at school on the school computer when you asked this?

Answer 11

they won't be blockading person web pages. they may well be blockading specific key words which your web pages take place to have. without examples, that is puzzling to declare extra. working example, there is not something pagan or Wiccan approximately herbs in and of themselves. comparable element for recipes. have you ever surely checked to be certain if Christian web pages are blocked? additionally, all of it is barely valid in a public college. If this may well be a private college, they might block despite they opt for. in addition they might ban specific forms of websites, if the desktops are meant to in undemanding terms be used for academic purposes. lower back, specifics are important right here.