Wearing a 'purity ring' in Britain

[Marshal Murat]

Chastity Ring Story

Is this news worthy?
Is it Christian, or a fad?
Should she be allowed to wear the ring?
Anyone know anything else about this subject?

[AntiochusIII]

Meh, it's more like a uniform/dress code vs stuff-that-aren't-allowed conflict.

I say she go for it. She says it's Christian then it's Christian. If you give religious freedom over the uniform thing then give it equally -- however, if the school's uniform policy is...uniformly enforced, then she's standing on a less firm ground.

Of course, opinions like "forces of secularism attack Christianity" isn't my way of thinking, but who am I to put that bias above equality(tm)?

[Lemur]

Does anybody else find the whole purity ritual, what with daddy taking daughter to a special prom where she pledges herself to him ... I dunno, a little ... uh ... creepy? It has the slightest bit of a NAMBLA vibe to it ...

[CountArach]

"At my school Muslims are allowed to wear headscarves and other faiths can wear bangles and other types of jewellery and it feels like Christians are being discriminated against," Playfoot told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.

Payback...

Seriously though, I don't see why she should't be allowed to wear it. It is a religious statement, no different to wearing a necklace with a cross.

[Navaros]

I applaud her for standing up for morality, that is rare in this day and age.

The father was absolutely 100% correct to state ": "I think what is happening in our culture more generally is that what I would describe as secular fundamentalism is coming to the fore, which really wants to silence certain beliefs and Christian views in particular"

I hope the girl wins a lot of money from the school trying to force fornication and promiscuity down their youths' throats. Of course the article doesn't say whether she is going after money in the case that has been filed. If not, she should file a second lawsuit also and sue for every penny the disgusting school has.

[Strike For The South]

Im going to start wearing an anti purity ring not becuase I want to look like a ba (albeit a good side effect) but becuase I want to run through the halls of my school challinging other students with purity rings to epic battles.

[Divinus Arma]

This is actually a more valuable story than you might have thought SFTS.

Without arguing the ethics of pre-marital sex, I would comment that an indiviual's right to express worship is paramount. I find it especially interesting that because her form of worship is not mainstream, it may be sidelined (as a matter of argument). This is the very definition of free speech: allowing the fringe minority with whom you disagree the right to speak and express themselves.

The real gray line is whether someone is allowed to, say, set themselves on fire in public. But this one seems pretty simple to me.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Without arguing the ethics of pre-marital sex, I would comment that an indiviual's right to express worship is paramount. I find it especially interesting that because her form of worship is not mainstream, it may be sidelined (as a matter of argument). This is the very definition of free speech: allowing the fringe minority with whom you disagree the right to speak and express themselves.

I agree. I'm not quite sure that I would go so far as to say the right is paramount - religions can often be exclusive or confrontational to other belief systems, so there has to be some checks and balances that preserve the rights of other people from assault through religious iconography.

Nonetheless freedom to worship and express one's belief is a fundamental human right, and sensible rules to allow diversity should be easy enough to implement. A ring is a subtle and non-confrontational choice.

I do think she would have to take it off when playing rugger though.

[rory_20_uk]

Can any religious group wear whatever they want then, as long as its religious?

I see this as a reason why Britain should not sign up to that facile law on Human Rights. Freedom to express one's religious beliefs is IMO NOT a right. Druids were keen on human skulls. Is that OK then? It must be as we are bieng equal to all.

If the school has dress codes, then get the school to alter them. Don't force changes on them.

[HoreTore]

Well, I support her fight against dress codes, as I see that as a ridiculous thing. However, I don't support her "morality" claim at all...

[Tribesman]

Ah the purity ring , thats the ones who are six times more likely to take a back door delivery to preserve their virginity than those who don't take the plege isn't it .

Banquo do you remember thegroup who came to Ireland last year promoting the pledge ?
In cannot remember if it was SRT or TLW but their leader was a strange thing called a born again virgin

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

This is an interesting question, for me I don't think that she should have the right to wear it. I don't support Muslim girls wearing the veil, I admit I'm not keen on the Hijab either but I can more that live with it.

Rather like the veil this ring is a DON'T TOUCH ME YOU ! sign and quite frankly, as a man, that offends me.

A mainstreem declaration of her faith on the other hand is entirely her choice and when boys ask her if she wants to have sex she can say no. A ring is far less likely to stop them asking than a good reputation.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Banquo do you remember thegroup who came to Ireland last year promoting the pledge ?
In cannot remember if it was SRT or TLW but their leader was a strange thing called a born again virgin

I do remember - an odd concept, but really no odder than some of the stuff the bish likes to tell me.

Personally, I think the idea of "purity" in this sense is an unfortunate concept antithetical to social development, but it's a perfectly reasonable moral and practical stance and if born out of religious conviction, I can't see any problem with it, nor tokens to denote said commitment.

Can any religious group wear whatever they want then, as long as its religious?

I see this as a reason why Britain should not sign up to that facile law on Human Rights. Freedom to express one's religious beliefs is IMO NOT a right. Druids were keen on human skulls. Is that OK then? It must be as we are bieng equal to all.

You must have missed the part where I noted that religious rights, like all human rights, must be subject to the test that they do not infringe unfairly on other people's rights. But freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, and that includes the right to express one's religious beliefs. If you think human rights law is facile, that's your right.

If the girl insisted on wearing a t-shirt to school with Mrs Thatcher's face and a slogan to vote Conservative, I would support her choice being banned. If she wore a small lapel pin of the party emblem on her uniform blazer, I would encourage it. Religious conviction is no different.

Diversity of opinion is essential to a democracy, and allowing young people to promote their opinion, defend and discuss it, is essential to education and their development. I would argue it is a duty of any school to allow such a ring, to expose others to new ideas.

To restrict freedom of conscience and speech by banning symbols is the province of that political correctness so widely disparaged. What's next, Arsenal shirts during playtime?

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

If rings in general are banned, I don't see why we should make an exception for this. If I was wearing a ring because it symbolised my unity with the confederation of pixies, I doubt anyone would care if the school told me to take it off, and this is about as valid. If you let this through, you might as well kiss goodbye to uniform regulations as everyone just claims exceptions on the grounds that their "religion" forbids them from wearing/requires them to wear certain items.

As far as the purity thing goes, if this girl wants to deny herself the BKS experience that's her loss, baby.

[Don Corleone]

I do remember - an odd concept, but really no odder than some of the stuff the bish likes to tell me.

Personally, I think the idea of "purity" in this sense is an unfortunate concept antithetical to social development, but it's a perfectly reasonable moral and practical stance and if born out of religious conviction, I can't see any problem with it, nor tokens to denote said commitment.



You must have missed the part where I noted that religious rights, like all human rights, must be subject to the test that they do not infringe unfairly on other people's rights. But freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, and that includes the right to express one's religious beliefs. If you think human rights law is facile, that's your right.

If the girl insisted on wearing a t-shirt to school with Mrs Thatcher's face and a slogan to vote Conservative, I would support her choice being banned. If she wore a small lapel pin of the party emblem on her uniform blazer, I would encourage it. Religious conviction is no different.

Diversity of opinion is essential to a democracy, and allowing young people to promote their opinion, defend and discuss it, is essential to education and their development. I would argue it is a duty of any school to allow such a ring, to expose others to new ideas.

To restrict freedom of conscience and speech by banning symbols is the province of that political correctness so widely disparaged. What's next, Arsenal shirts during playtime?

Well, just to play devil's advocate here, I frequently hear the argument made in the Backroom "the only reason you're opposed is your silly, superstitious religious beliefs, and that invalidates your argument".

Following along in that vein, what about all the young lads around that won't be able to get their mojo working with the Bearer of the Ring? Don't young gents at her school have a right to sexual expression? Shouldn't they have the right to try to talk their way into her pants? If the only argument against fornication is religous creeds, then not only should we allow it, we should encourage it, possibly even mandate it, just to put an end to this silly religious mumbo jumbo.

I'm curious to see what all you "religion should be banned" types have to say to that (and I know who you are).

[Geoffrey S]

If headscarves are allowed, which are no more an essential part of faith, then why not this ring?

Ah well, she's probably ugly anyway.

[Banquo's Ghost]

If rings in general are banned, I don't see why we should make an exception for this. If I was wearing a ring because it symbolised my unity with the confederation of pixies, I doubt anyone would care if the school told me to take it off, and this is about as valid. If you let this through, you might as well kiss goodbye to uniform regulations as everyone just claims exceptions on the grounds that their "religion" forbids them from wearing/requires them to wear certain items.

From what I understand of the case, other students are permitted to wear bangles and unobstrusive items of jewellery. Students of other religions are permitted to wear the nijab or turban.

You overstate the case to make your point. I am not arguing that anything goes under tha banner of religion, but that small variations to the uniform code should be allowed, especially when expressing a belief or conviction. Belief in pixies not excluded, but wearing a pixie hat to express your faith may be pushing the boundary as it is likely you are doing so to provoke - but, since I allow that a Sikh may wear a turban, I would find it difficult to ban your pixie hat if you wore it with the same dedication and devotion.

To exaggerate back, your position on uniformity should end up with all hairstyles being regulation short back and sides, and for the girls too.

[InsaneApache]

Funny you should say that. I had to have a short back and sides at the school I attended. It was the rules. The girls school (St. Trinians) just down the road didn't enforce such a code. Anyway they got to wear Straw Boaters.

If it's the uniform rule, then she has to take it off. Oh! and how many times? School is for learning. If you want to indoctrinate your kids, send them to the church/temple/mosque.

Am I on that list of yours Don

[HoreTore]

If the only argument against fornication is religous creeds, then not only should we allow it, we should encourage it, possibly even mandate it, just to put an end to this silly religious mumbo jumbo.

I heartily agree to that.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Funny you should say that. I had to have a short back and sides at the school I attended. It was the rules.

At my school too. But then it was also mandatory to have a crucifix and wear a St Christopher medal.

Funny If it's the uniform rule, then she has to take it off. Oh! and how many times? School is for learning. If you want to indoctrinate your kids, send them to the church/temple/mosque.

It's quite clearly not the uniform rule as other students may wear bangles etc.

As I said, schools are for learning indeed, but learning also includes education about other's belief systems. A very large number of people in the world hold religious beliefs and it is sensible to expose children to seeing and learning about that.

I read nothing that indicates this young lady has been indoctrinated and no-one appears to be saying that all other students should be forced to do the same. Diversity is important for education, as is freedom of expression.

If the young lady were wearing a small red ribbon badge to promote AIDS awareness, or one of those plastic anti-poverty wrist bands, would we be quite so comfortable with a ban? What if she expressed an opinion by bringing a pad of clearly labelled recycled paper to school? Or requested a vegetarian option at lunch?

[Ronin]

Ah the purity ring , thats the ones who are six times more likely to take a back door delivery to preserve their virginity than those who don't take the plege isn't it .

exactly!


but hey.....whatever works for them......I can´t complain....

"yes dear....you´re still a virgin after this ..just remember....NO TEETH!"

[Rodion Romanovich]

I support the girl: clearly marking those girls who are not only single but also untouched and pure, can only be a good thing - for both the women and the men, no matter religion. It simplifies match making by preventing people from wasting time on making contact with an already occupied person.

[Louis VI the Fat]

I've got two thoughts. The first is, that if they allow Turbans and bangles, then they can not forbid this ring. Nor in fact any religious symbol.
Serves the schoolboard right for their PC, and I love how their disciminatory policy has backfired.

But my overriding thought is that the policy of this school discriminates in favour of expression of religious beliefs over all others. Why, as soon as somebody cries religion, should all normal regulation be suspended?
I really don't see why religious beliefs should be considered more important than secular opinions. Steven Seagals music meant a lot to me when I was fifteen, it got me trough a rough period. He was my hero. My saviour. But I bet they wouldn't have allowed me to wear the pony tail and Aikido black belt I wore daily to worship him.

Therefore the rule of this school should in my opinion be to either allow every expression of personal conviction, or none at all. Not this allowance of religious expression, because that should somehow be more important than other expressions.


One more thing. 'The school denies her claims, arguing that the purity ring is not an integral part of the Christian faith'.
If a school makes itself the judge of what's an integral part of which religion, they'll be in trouble indefinately.

[Slyspy]

As I say with all these issues, no matter what the item or the creed of the wearer, if the school says "no" and you don't like it, then find another school.

[Louis VI the Fat]

It simplifies match making by preventing people from wasting time on making contact with an already occupied person.

Gah, you amateur! You're not going to be deterred by a simple chastity ring, are you!? If they don't want pre-marital sex, then simply explain to the girl that you and her will never ever get married, and that therefore your sex logically is not pre-marital.

[Spetulhu]

Gah, you amateur! You're not going to be deterred by a simple chastity ring, are you!? If they don't want pre-marital sex, then simply explain to the girl that you and her will never ever get married, and that therefore your sex logically is not pre-marital.

Your logic is flawless! I feel ashamed of myself for not seeing such a simple truth when it should be self-evident to anyone fluent in English.

[Reverend Joe]

If she can wear her ring to school, I should be allowed to smoke marijuana, because it holds religious significance for me.



(It really does, by the way.)

[Ice]

I hope the girl wins a lot of money from the school trying to force fornication and promiscuity down their youths' throats.

I don't know where you want to school, but I distinctly remember the teacher in health class telling us the own sure way not to get STDS and get a girl pregnant was not to have any sexual contact at all. That doesn't really sound like fornication and promiscuity is forced down anyone's throat.

Oh, it's so very hard not to call you by some other names my friend. You are always full of, (using a friendly word), hot air.

Of course the article doesn't say whether she is going after money in the case that has been filed. If not, she should file a second lawsuit also and sue for every penny the disgusting school has.

Yes, disgusting, she can't wear a ring. She can still not have sex before she is married. It's a school dress code, not discrimination.

At least it's comforting to know that other industrialized countries have religious nuts too.

[Tuuvi]

I think that she should be able to wear the ring, and that the school has no right to define what is christian and what is not. If she thinks the ring expresses christian beliefs she has every right to wear it. And besides it's only a ring, it's not like anyone's gonna notice it except for some nitpicky teacher on a power trip anyways.

Also, what is the point in school uniforms? I know that supposedly if kids were allowed to wear their own clothes to school it would create a "distraction", but I go to a school were there are no uniforms and any attention problems I have come from my ADHD and lack of breakfast, not from everyone's clothes.

[Adrian II]

Louis' view is merely the classic Liberal position that no form of expression should be privileged because it is (deemed to be) religious. It makes perfect sense, but sense is no argument in this religion-infested world of ours.

Ayatollahs to the left me / Reborns to the right, here I am / stuck in the middle with Louis.

Not that I mind.