Response to Earlier Q in Current Events: Please explain reason for rules against religious articles in school?

Question

I'm not trolling- I'm just as ignorant as all get out. Frankly, I don't get it. Why should this girl not be allowed to wear her religious bangle?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7091186.stm

What harm is there in a bangle? Should a school have the power to decide this?

Where I live I see recent and not-so-recent immigrants in all sorts of articles of religious dress. I don't assume they're Anti- American; I believe that they are expressing their right to religious freedom and should be given the same tolerance as people who wear Crucifixes, Stars of David, or yamulkes.

So, is the idea in the UK that everyone should enter the "melting pot" and all blend together, or that different cultures can live together peacefully and happily and yet retain their cultural identity? Not judging, just asking...

So the issue is also protecting these children from being forced to conform to their families religious beliefs even while in the outer society?

Isn't it possible to "learn to adopt into British civilization" and "[bear] the burden of their old countries". I mean, am I just being too liberal? I kind of wonder why they were allowed to emigrate into the UK if their culture is so unacceptable, and they are expected to adopt British ways.

Answer 1

I don't know the whole story, but Christians aren't allowed to wear their crucifixes, Jews, their Star of David, etc etc. This is the UK where uniforms are supposed to be adhered to.
Also, and I stand to be corrected on this, I thought the bangles only applied to Sikh boys. But I might be wrong.
We've got many cases now where kids are demanding their rights to wear religious symbols. Girls here have been excluded for wearing "promise" rings, too.
It does seem a bit harsh, but there's probably more to it than the story says. Also, the parents and the children have to promise to obey the school rules before they join - they are told what the rules are, clearly. And the wearing of jewelery is forbidden.

Edit: I forgot to add - we've recently seen cases of Muslim girls demanding to wear the Burka to school, too. That is, their entire body and head covered.


2nd Edit: I suppose it can seem strange but some of the parents can be particularly demanding. For many pupils too, school is the only place they can be free of religious restrictions. I read one letter from a girl begging that her school stick to its viewpoints, otherwise her parents would force her to wear the burka.
Most schools are very accommodating and will always make allowances for strict religious demands. For example, their are Muslim and Hindu children in our Church of England school - they wear headscarves and turbans, as it is accepted by their religion that this is so. But extremists will always place extra demands and I do think it is right that this is rejected by the school. School is often the only free place many of these girls (usually girls) have where they can experience an unrestricted childhood.

3rd Edit: Yes, of course that was desirable. However, many of these people are British born and bred and have, particularly since the 9/11, become more religious. And you know there's nothing as religious as the newly converted. Be they born again Christians or born again Muslims.

Answer 2

School is a place for learning. A place for studying moderrn life and civilization.

Religions were too old and should be treated as spiritual support.

Uniform is a tool to ensure all students as a whole and same as individual. uniform is to help students to associate with the school and grow according to the instruction by the school.

They should learn to adopt into British civilization, instead of bearing the burden of their old countries.

The most basic problem is how can you identify the girl during examination. Although it is cheap to use modern equipment to check their fingerprint or iris. (In China, some schools do use such method to check), they are considered as unhuman and violating laws in protecting personal data. hence, the best way is to keep their school uniform.

Answer 3

"The school prohibits all jewellery, except for plain metal ear studs and wrist-watches, and said the policy ensures equality. "

It's nothing to do with race, creed or colour. The schools has a uniform policy - no jewellery. You would not be allowed to wear crosses either.

Answer 4

It is against the national state religion of Atheism.

Answer 5

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