U.K. schoolgirl loses 'virginity ring' court battle

[Roofus]

A teenager whose teachers had stopped her wearing a “purity ring” at school to symbolize her commitment to virginity has lost a High Court fight against the ban.

Lydia Playfoot, 16, says her silver ring is an expression of her faith and had argued in court that it should be exempt from school regulations banning the wearing of jewelry.

“I am very disappointed by the decision this morning by the High Court not to allow me to wear my purity ring to school as an expression of my Christian faith not to have sex outside marriage,” Playfoot said in a statement Monday.

“I believe that the judge’s decision will mean that slowly, over time, people such as school governors, employers, political organizations and others will be allowed to stop Christians from publicly expressing and practicing their faith.”

Playfoot’s legal challenge was the latest in a series of disputes in British schools in recent years over the right of pupils to wear religious symbols or clothing, such as crucifixes and veils.

Last year, the Law Lords rejected Shabina Begum’s appeal for permission to wear a Muslim gown at her school in Luton. That case echoed a debate in France over the banning of Muslim headscarves in state schools.

Playfoot’s parents are key members of the British arm of the American chastity campaign group the Silver Ring Thing, a religious group which urges abstinence among young people.

Those who sign up wear a ring on the third finger of the left hand. It is inscribed with “Thess. 4:3-4,” a reference to a Biblical passage from Thessalonians which reads: “God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin.”

During the case, Playfoot’s lawyers argued that the ban by her school in Horsham, West Sussex, breached her human rights to “freedom of thought, conscience and religion” which are protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Link

[AgentGreen]

A teenager whose teachers had stopped her wearing a “purity ring” at school to symbolize her commitment to virginity has lost a High Court fight against the ban.

Lydia Playfoot, 16, says her silver ring is an expression of her faith and had argued in court that it should be exempt from school regulations banning the wearing of jewelry.

“I am very disappointed by the decision this morning by the High Court not to allow me to wear my purity ring to school as an expression of my Christian faith not to have sex outside marriage,” Playfoot said in a statement Monday.

“I believe that the judge’s decision will mean that slowly, over time, people such as school governors, employers, political organizations and others will be allowed to stop Christians from publicly expressing and practicing their faith.”

Playfoot’s legal challenge was the latest in a series of disputes in British schools in recent years over the right of pupils to wear religious symbols or clothing, such as crucifixes and veils.

Last year, the Law Lords rejected Shabina Begum’s appeal for permission to wear a Muslim gown at her school in Luton. That case echoed a debate in France over the banning of Muslim headscarves in state schools.

Playfoot’s parents are key members of the British arm of the American chastity campaign group the Silver Ring Thing, a religious group which urges abstinence among young people.

Those who sign up wear a ring on the third finger of the left hand. It is inscribed with “Thess. 4:3-4,” a reference to a Biblical passage from Thessalonians which reads: “God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin.”

During the case, Playfoot’s lawyers argued that the ban by her school in Horsham, West Sussex, breached her human rights to “freedom of thought, conscience and religion” which are protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Link

Since when do you need a ring to commit to virginity?

[Sir Savant]

A teenager whose teachers had stopped her wearing a “purity ring” at school to symbolize her commitment to virginity has lost a High Court fight against the ban.

Lydia Playfoot, 16, says her silver ring is an expression of her faith and had argued in court that it should be exempt from school regulations banning the wearing of jewelry.

“I am very disappointed by the decision this morning by the High Court not to allow me to wear my purity ring to school as an expression of my Christian faith not to have sex outside marriage,” Playfoot said in a statement Monday.

“I believe that the judge’s decision will mean that slowly, over time, people such as school governors, employers, political organizations and others will be allowed to stop Christians from publicly expressing and practicing their faith.”

Playfoot’s legal challenge was the latest in a series of disputes in British schools in recent years over the right of pupils to wear religious symbols or clothing, such as crucifixes and veils.

Last year, the Law Lords rejected Shabina Begum’s appeal for permission to wear a Muslim gown at her school in Luton. That case echoed a debate in France over the banning of Muslim headscarves in state schools.

Playfoot’s parents are key members of the British arm of the American chastity campaign group the Silver Ring Thing, a religious group which urges abstinence among young people.

Those who sign up wear a ring on the third finger of the left hand. It is inscribed with “Thess. 4:3-4,” a reference to a Biblical passage from Thessalonians which reads: “God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin.”

During the case, Playfoot’s lawyers argued that the ban by her school in Horsham, West Sussex, breached her human rights to “freedom of thought, conscience and religion” which are protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Link

Since when do you need a ring to commit to virginity?

It's to remind yourself. Like a piece of red string.

[Ex-Cyber]

I believe that the judge’s decision will mean that slowly, over time, people such as school governors, employers, political organizations and others will be allowed to stop Christians from publicly expressing and practicing their faith.

This kind of rhetoric really gets under my skin when people aren't actually addressing religious discrimination. As far as the article provides (and as far as I've been able to gather from other sources), there is no special ban on Christian jewelery; it's a ban on students wearing jewelery in general. In fact, the lawyers for the school said that exceptions to the uniform policy are made for articles that are required by or otherwise integral to religious beliefs (e.g. headscarves for Muslims, crucifixes for Christians). Overall, I do think that this policy results in de-facto religious discrimination, but mostly against any religion or sect whose beliefs - unlike Christianity - aren't recognized by the administration. Inasmuch as school officials shouldn't get to be arbiters of which religious beliefs are valid, the policy should probably be scrapped altogether. Still, given the fact that crucifixes are explicitly allowed, I think it's ridiculous to suggest that this is somehow the first step on the slippery slope to the total oppression of Christians.

[jaredfogle]

Not fucking is pretty hard.

I would be pissed if they tried to take my symbol/trinket/holy ring that had been helping me not fuck.

Of course, you're not supposed to be fucking in school, so she could just take it off for part of the day.

[mrandyk]

Of course, you're not supposed to be fucking in school, so she could just take it off for part of the day.

Exactly, how many people are fucking during school that you need a ring?

[APE]

Of course, you're not supposed to be fucking in school, so she could just take it off for part of the day.

Exactly, how many people are fucking during school that you need a ring?

Probably more than you'd think, at least on school grounds.

[not just souLLy now]

when you join a school in the uk your parents sign a contract that they and you adhere to the rules of the school, if you don't like them go to a different school.

It's all shitty one-upmanship because muslims have been getting exceptions from school rules wearing burkhas (sp?). People wanting to make political statements like this do nothing for their causes because it makes religious groups look like they're trying to out-do eachother.

She doesn't need the ring.
Heck from a biblical standpoint, Jesus said specifically not to make these kind of public demonstrations as they're the work of hypocrites.

[Specially Cork]

What use is a virgin ring once it's penetrated with a finger?

[Hawq]

It advertises that she's open for ear sex?

[Calavera]

It's sad they have nothing better to do then sit in court and fight about a girl wearing a ring. Just let her wear the fucking ring, if she jabs somebody's eye out with it then ok, by all means take her to court. But until then get a life.

[nogginthenog]

It's sad they have nothing better to do then sit in court and fight about a girl wearing a ring. Just let her wear the fucking ring, if she jabs somebody's eye out with it then ok, by all means take her to court. But until then get a life.

My thoughts exactly. How much money was wasted on this case I wonder?

[toastman]

It's sad they have nothing better to do then sit in court and fight about a girl wearing a ring. Just let her wear the fucking ring, if she jabs somebody's eye out with it then ok, by all means take her to court. But until then get a life.

I think it's sad that the girl has nothing better to do than sit in court and fight about not being allowed to wear a ring. Just follow the fucking dress code. If it becomes central to the core tenets of Christianity, then by all means take them to court. But until then, she should just get a life.

Fucking people looking for fucking special exemptions to non-discriminatory practices.

[ace]

when you join a school in the uk your parents sign a contract that they and you adhere to the rules of the school, if you don't like them go to a different school.

It's all shitty one-upmanship because muslims have been getting exceptions from school rules wearing burkhas (sp?). People wanting to make political statements like this do nothing for their causes because it makes religious groups look like they're trying to out-do eachother.

She doesn't need the ring.
Heck from a biblical standpoint, Jesus said specifically not to make these kind of public demonstrations as they're the work of hypocrites.

quoted for truth.

[|darc|]

It's sad they have nothing better to do then sit in court and fight about a girl wearing a ring. Just let her wear the fucking ring, if she jabs somebody's eye out with it then ok, by all means take her to court. But until then get a life.

I think it's sad that the girl has nothing better to do than sit in court and fight about not being allowed to wear a ring. Just follow the fucking dress code. If it becomes central to the core tenets of Christianity, then by all means take them to court. But until then, she should just get a life.

Fucking people looking for fucking special exemptions to non-discriminatory practices.

Exactly.

[Cid Highwind]

It's sad they have nothing better to do then sit in court and fight about a girl wearing a ring. Just let her wear the fucking ring, if she jabs somebody's eye out with it then ok, by all means take her to court. But until then get a life.

I think it's sad that the girl has nothing better to do than sit in court and fight about not being allowed to wear a ring. Just follow the fucking dress code. If it becomes central to the core tenets of Christianity, then by all means take them to court. But until then, she should just get a life.

Fucking people looking for fucking special exemptions to non-discriminatory practices.

I couldn't agree more. If she wants it close to her that badly she should've went with a piercing down below to remind her. I doubt they'll ask her to take off out of those

[Code-Red]

Take your fucking religion elsewhere bitch. If I wanted to hear/see religion I'd go to a Church, as I don't need your annoying cult pestering me in public, thanks.


- CodeRed

[AgentGreen]

Heck from a biblical standpoint, Jesus said specifically not to make these kind of public demonstrations as they're the work of hypocrites.

Can you tell me where it is he says that? Not doubting you, I'd just like to point it out to a bunch of bible thumpers on campus that should really be shown it

[Ex-Cyber]

Heck from a biblical standpoint, Jesus said specifically not to make these kind of public demonstrations as they're the work of hypocrites.

Can you tell me where it is he says that? Not doubting you, I'd just like to point it out to a bunch of bible thumpers on campus that should really be shown it

I'm not sure it literally applies to this situation, but it's in the first verses of Matthew 6.

[Roofus]

Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.