Rosaries are gang symbols and thus, not allowed in school?

[NineseveN]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,423143,00.html (from FoxDFW)

Student Told Rosary is Gang Symbol

Last Edited: Tuesday, 16 Sep 2008, 7:38 AM CDT
Created: Monday, 15 Sep 2008, 7:41 PM CDT
By Melissa Cutler
FOX 4 News


SEAGOVILLE -- A Dallas-area high school student says she's been forbidden from wearing her rosary to school because it's considered a gang symbol.

Tabitha Ruiz says her silver and ruby beaded rosary is a gift from her mother that she's worn ever since she was a child. She had it around her neck last week at Seagoville High School when a security guard stopped her at the door.

"I went to school, walked through the metal detectors and they told me to take it off," said the teenager. "I asked them why and they said because it's gang-related."

Ruiz said school officials told her to hide the rosary or take it off, and she did, before calling her mother.

On Monday, she wore the prayer beads again, only to be told again to take them off again. Her mother is furious.

"If we back down to everything the gangs are doing, the gangs win," said Taire Ferguson. "Why should we take away her choice to express her religious beliefs because gangs are doing it? It's not right."

Tabitha and her mother both say they've never heard of a rosary being a gang symbol, but police have.

"Lately they've been seen wearing religious jewelry such as the rosary worn by gang members, so it is a factor," said Sr. Cpl Kevin Janse of the Dallas Police Department.

Although rosaries are not specifically banned by name in the district's dress code, a DISD spokesman did say, "It's up to the principal's discretion. We chose to err on the side of caution."

That's no consolation for Tabitha or her mother, who says she'll take the district to court to fight for her daughter's religious rights if necessary.

Good for her, I hope she fights it because it's bullshit. I know that some gangs do wear rosaries with their gang colors, but so what? This is not the way to fight crime, it's just the way to be ridiculous.

[Brown-Bear]

Agreed. A child wearing a rosarie to school is a far cry from the gangbangers with the baggy pants and the like. The school district along with the govt of this nation as a whole has got it all wrong. You can't treat the populace like a group of 2 year olds fighting over something or misbehaving. When my 2 yr old and her friend up the steet can't behave we take away what ever they are fughting over and say " well if you guys can't behave, then nobody gets it". You can't apply this to law. Its the same as gun control, one group does something the authority does not like, so now the innicent suffer. Hows about this, Don't let the gangbangers come to school. Just kick'em out on the street, Pisses me off that a young girl can't express her religion because some dirty thuigs can't behave.

In before the seperation of church and state argument

Dave

[NineseveN]

In before the seperation of church and state argument
Dave

Too late.

That's precisely where my anger on this comes from, neither public schools nor government has any business or right to interfere with this girl's religious practices like this. Sure, people who hate religion often hijack the concept of church and state separation, but that's dishonest and shallow...anyone that supports the notion of separation has got to be in this girl's corner on that aspect at the very least.

[625]

gang members wear clothes. Maybe we should force students to attend school naked. This would save money and reduce crime as well.

[God's Country]

Where is the ACLU?

[larrymeyer]

gang members wear clothes. Maybe we should force students to attend school naked. This would save money and reduce crime as well.

New uniforms for students would give the teachers an eyeful

[NineseveN]

Where is the ACLU?

Probably waiting for a call from the girl and her mother I suspect.

[Elmar]

The ACLU would likely help the mother in any way they could as this is a clear violation of the protection against government interfering with the practice of religion.

I would encourage the mother to contact them. Separation of church and state is done for the health of both, we have enough corrupt people in church as it is we don't need to add politicians to it.

[Dredly]

If it is SCHOOL POLICY to not allow any symbols of the cross due to gang activity then that is a school policy. there are other options for education if this is so important she can chose to pursue her education elsewhere. We have allowed and encouraged school dress codes and we demand schools ensure a safe environment for our students, then when they do this they get ripped on

It is the exact same thing as uniforms being required. She isn't being singled out because she is wearing it or because she is white or black or yellow or brown. Its because other students have ruined the privilege. Its a blanket statement, no religious necklaces, its not like they confiscated it and if she wore it inside her shirt there would probably be no issues at all.

Would we be having the same discussion if it was a locket that looked like a gang symbol or a bracelet? The only reason this is even being discussed is because it is a religious item and all of a sudden now it is an attack on religion! Oh No!!!! Its fine if its a shirt or belt or pants but when it is religious now the claws come out!

This is the same thing as wearing a shirt that says "Fuck You!" or nothing but a pair of shorts. Dress codes are in place, always have been and this is just another step in the long line of them

[Dredly]

The ACLU would likely help the mother in any way they could as this is a clear violation of the protection against government interfering with the practice of religion.

I would encourage the mother to contact them. Separation of church and state is done for the health of both, we have enough corrupt people in church as it is we don't need to add politicians to it.

Being told to take off a Rosary or put it away is in no way a version of the gov't interfering with the practice of religion. They are not saying you can't have it on you, they aren't saying you can't wear it, just that you can't wear it openly.

I'm sure they have rules against wearing pointy hoods and long white robes, wearing swastikas, taking prayer time whenever you chose and drinking wine in class but none of that is gov't interfering with religion.