Why are Christian symbols allowed in schools but not Wiccan symbols?

Question

Okay, so I was checking out some Pagan stuff on the net and found a lot of schools have banned their Wiccan students from wearing the pentagram but say it's okay that Christian students wear their crosses. I don't think this is right-- either ban ALL religious symbols, or none of them. Banning one religious symbol, then saying another is just fine...that's just wrong no matter what religion it favors.

What do you guys think?

Sako-- "Wicca" is part of Paganism, which is 8000 years older than Christianity. It is a real religion.

Answer 1

I believe when it comes down to it, the Wiccans usually win these fights in the courts, and rightfully so, as if Christian symbols are allowed, then Wiccan symbols should be allowed as well. But to actually answer your question, I think it's about the schools being run by hysterical people who mistake Wiccan symbolism with the symbolism of the "Gothic" subculture and then compound that mistake by associating the "Gothic" subculture with violence and subversion. The reason for this is that the hysterical people who run the schools know of none of the changes in teenage culture that have occurred since 1968. Yes, these people are exactly like your outdated history textbooks. They make hazy associations based upon second-hand rumor and then panic and infringe upon a student's freedom of religion. I think this explains these confiscations and bans, it's the work of moronic and overzealous administrators who in actuality, know little about the people they're trying to educate.

Answer 2

I'm neither Wiccan or Christian but personally I think it should be all or none. If some kids get to wear their symbol of their religion then all students should be able to. If you don't want certain kids to wear it - regardless if that's discrimination or not - then none should wear it.

Many schools and parents for that matter make the mistake of thinking that Wicca is not a religion but instead a passing fad. They forget that the Supreme Court ruled that Wicca was a recognizable religion and should be afforded all the same rights and liberities as other established faiths.

And do you know that there are still groups, many Christians, trying to find a way to overturn or undo that verdict simply because they cannot stand to think that Wicca is a religion. Sad.

These schools will be in for a rude awakening when one of them eventually gets sued for discrimination. Which is what it is. A lot of schools, because the majority religion here is Christian, are run by Christians who take their faith into public places and think that we all should have their religion and give up ours.

As long as the Wicca symbols are within dress code, and not garish I don't see a problem. I have read however that some schools are so backwards that they actually not only think that the pentagram is Satanic (it was once used by Christians even to symbolize the wounds of Christ long before it was used by Wiccans) but that it would bring bad luck and curses down on the school!

I didn't know that they stoped teaching science and rational thought at school.

Answer 3

I would like to know the source of this banning you have mentioned. I would also like to know where in the U.S. that these schools are banning the wearing of a pentagram or any pagan symbol. I have seen people at high schools around the areas I used to sub at wearing all sorts of symbols on them or even on their attire. The wearing of a symbol of your belief should not be banned. It is unconstitutional and that school, if public is denying the free exercise of religion. Now the difference is is that if the is a private school, then the administration has the right to determine what can be worn and what can't. Usually, it would be a private Christian school that will deny people wearing a pentagram on the school grounds. Though Wiccans say they are not a satanic cult, many Christians believe that the pentagram is a symbol of Satan. It resembles the goat in which Hebrew priest would tie the sins on the horns of a goat and let it run away. This is where we get the expression, "scapegoat." Since the sin is carried by the goat, it also represents evil or Satan. Some Satanist use the goat head as their symbol as it does resemble the pentagram. I am a follower of Christ and have read on this and the reasons. I am also a Constitutionalists.

Answer 4

I think that if a cross can be worn, then so can a Pentagram. I would fight this with the school district because this is an obvious intrusion of ones freedom of religion. And I have to say that if the Pentagram is banned, sure wear the cross, but where it upside down. Your still wearing a Christian symbol but the meaning has changed. So where does this nonsense end? Another thought is if you still want to wear either a pagan symbol or pentagram then where it under your shirt. Unless of course it is the size of one of Flavor Flav's clocks!

Answer 5

Actually, Wicca IS a real religion and IS recognized as such by the American government. The Wiccan Pentagram is now allowed on the tombstones of fallen soldiers in ALL American Military branches.

And to actually answer the question, they can not do that. Is it illegal if you are in the USA. It is called discrimination. And if you want to wear your pentagram, do it. if someone says you can't, remind them of your right to freedom of religion according to the first amendment, and if they STILL continue, then flat say that you want all christian symbols removed too. If they don't, then they can't make you take it off.

I would really like to know where these schools are. If they are in the US, then they are SOOO breaking the law.

Answer 6

If a school has proper guidelines in place about the wearing of religious symbols, then there should be no problem at all with the wearing of any religious symbol, so long as it did not breach the uniform code set out for all students. As for the wearing of the pentagram, I personally have no problem with this and usually give students a favourable comment whenever I see it being worn. BTW, my main subject is religious studies.

Answer 7

That is against the law in the U.S. They cannot ban religious expression.
It happened in Michigan a couple of years ago where the school district suspended a girl for not taking her pentacle off when told to do so.
I believe it went to the state supreme courts and the school system backed off because they never thought it would go that far. They thought that they had that right.

Answer 8

All it will take is a single court case for a school to lose that policy pronto!

The freedom of religion guarantees the right of all students to wearing symbols of their religious belief, providing it doesn't not disrupt the learning environment .

Answer 9

Mornin Math,
No doubt the christians will claim the schools and the country as theirs (YAWN). As we live in an alleged democracy our children should have freedom of choice to wear their symbol of choice, however, as we are constantly bombarded with pseudo religious folk claiming the rights to influence education, the only fair answer would be to ban ALL symbols.
I have taken my daughters out of Religious education at school, they are teaching church of scotland only, they do not recognize any other religion or beliefs.

Good question!

Answer 10

They'll be changing that very soon. The US Supreme Court just ruled that the family of a Wican army soldier who died in Iraq had the right to put a pentagram on his tombstone, since that was his religious belief. That ruling will make its way into the schools soon, so don't worry.

I wish I had the case for you. I'll see if I can track it down. Watch for an edit.