Should schools ban ALL religious clothing / jewellery / everything else.............?

Question

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7083315.stm

I think they should. It would put an end to all the fuss and debate over what is and isn't acceptable, and it would treat everyone equally.

School is a place of learning, not religious expression.

I've always said religion is divisive.

I don't think I'm wrong.

People have plenty of free time to practice their religion.

School is a place of learning, a place to get qualifications.

nemesis

If I have kids I will allow them to follow whatever religion they choose.

How many Christian or Muslim parents can say that???

What if a Pagan wants to wear a dagger on his waist?

Or what if a follower of the Jedi religion wants to dress up as Yoda?

Answer 1

Pupils should be allowed to express whatever ideas they wish. If I went to school wearing a gay pride flag, would you ban me? We have freedom; we should not act as if we want to live in a dictatorship, as one poster said. It is their choice; what right has anyone to take that choice away?

Joe makes a very good point.

Answer 2

That would go against the constitutional right of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. That would be completely ignorant that would be like segregating schools again to avoid conflict over race. Or sending all homosexuals to separate schools to avoid conflict and debate over whether homosexuality is ok. Or separating people based on whether they are pro-choice or pro-life. And not allowing anything that represents a specific type of political affiliation because that is the most divisive issue in America. There is always going to be debate and fuss because there is a divisive issues about and what better place for these issues to present than at place of education. The only thing the schools need to do is never favour any side. Heck learning to debate is also something you are suppose to learn in high school public speaking courses.

Answer 3

OK, the school has a dress code policy that states the only jewelry allowed is a watch and one pair of plain metal stud earrings. Once exceptions are made, they would need to continue to make exceptions.

I do not believe all schools should be required to ban all religious clothing, etc but I think schools should be allowed to do so.

UPDATE
This is not an issue here in the US, it is Wales so our laws have no bearing. I believe that this is a private school with a very strict dress code. Even in the US, if it is a private school you can deny "expression" thru dress.

Answer 4

The actual dispute is Muslim girls and staff wearing the Burka or the equivalent. This form of dress restricts communication between teacher and pupil and is little more than a sign of oppression and is rightly banned or should be. Most other religious signs from the Crucifix and the Star of David are a statement of faith which is not in itself divisive unless someone decides to make it so. Some people are always on the lookout for something to offend them and if they can not find it they will invent it.

Answer 5

You shouldn't think that you are wrong. That is your opinion. Everyone has a right to express that.

And now I am going to express mine. I don't thing that they should stop allowing people to wear religious clothing or jewelry. In a way that is taking away a person's right of freedom of speech. And yeah it is that. Expression is a part of freedom of speech. Just because it would make something more easier for other people doesn't mean that it is always right. Plus there is a little thing called freedom of religion. That is partly taking that away. The forefathers of this country fought for the states so that we could live in freedom of persecution from others.

Answer 6

Isn't Atheism a form of a religion/belief, should we ban science in schools, as that is their focus. The big band theory should not be taught, nor should evolution or faunal succession. What about those whose religion/beliefs stems from and worship Mother earth. Should we then ban learning geography, geology, and earth science in schools as they teach aspects about those religions? The problem is that many of these people are striving for a Godless society and will try to manipulate the Government to get what they want.
Those who oppose God are the front runners in this separation of Church and state argument. Fact is that they have perverted the meaning of that amendment to the point that the meaning in no way reflects what the founding fathers intended it to mean. That clause was established to further permit freedom of religious expression and not allow what had happened in England, where Church and State were the same, to occur in the U.S. Instead the anti God population in this society has taken out of context the meaning to incorporate their own agenda by removing the idea of God from schools. Thus forcing their beliefs down others throats in a far worse manner then God fearing people would force their beliefs down their throats. Why are kids now days forced to learn the beliefs of the Atheist and forbidden to learn the beliefs of the Christians, Muslims, Jews, ect….. Why is the theory of evolution and faunal succession taught while the Creationist theory not taught? If you are going to teach one belief, others should be incorporated as "possibilities" as well. Something to consider.

Answer 7

School is a place of learning, but to deny someone religious expression is denying them any expression at all. You either accept it totally or deny expression for all individuals. I think you are wrong cos as much as you are saying religion is divisive, all religions within themselves have much unity whether it be islam, chrisitianity, sikhism or judaism. They all preach words of kindness and helpfulness. Fundamentalists are the derivation and they should be the ones dealt with.I totally agree with Joes argument!!

Answer 8

Some of what some Atheists speak, sure sounds like they want the country to be a dictatorship rather then freedom to do and believe as you wish. you say religion is divisive well, only When Gods message is twisted. I don't think you see the wrong in you're statement because it is you, and just because it may sound good to you does not say much. but I really don't think some of you when you say such things as this you don't really know what your saying. and with those thoughts of yours I wonder what your going to do if you have a son that becomes christian or a daughter that does.

Answer 9

Personally, I think people (which in my books includes students) should be allowed to wear whatever they want.

Who cares if a high school student is wearing a burka, or just a coconut bra and grass skirt? As long as they show up and are willing to learn, leave 'em the f**k alone!

The only fashion choice I can see curtailing is the carrying of weaponry. I'm sort of in favour of allowing it, but can see the argument for getting them to leave that stuff at home.

Beyond that, it's all good.

Answer 10

I believe schools should be secular and any symbol of religion should be banned in order to encourage all pupils to mix and to build inter-faith, intercultural friendships.

On one particular point: I would find it impossible as a language teacher to work with a pupil whose facial features, specifically the mouth (organs of speech) were hidden. That would prevent me from doing my job properly. I would also find it a security/safety issue - NOT because of the faith issue - but because in these days of discipline problems in school, I want to know exactly who I am dealing with.