Wearing 'purity rings' is banned but Mulims allowed headscarves

Wearing 'purity rings' is banned at girls' school | the Daily Mail: London

"A school has banned Christian pupils from wearing rings that symbolise the teenagers' belief in chastity until marriage.

Youngsters have been ordered to remove the 'purity rings' because they contravene the school's uniform policy.

Millais School, an all-girls' comprehensive in West Sussex, has a strict 'no jewellery' rule, allowing only small stud earrings.

But the girls' families argue that that the rings - simple bands of silver given to youngsters who complete an evangelical church course preaching abstinence - hold genuine religious significance.

Parents also point out that the school allows Muslim and Sikh pupils to wear headscarves or kara bracelets as a means of religious expression."

Heather and Philip Playfoot have been in dispute with the school in Horsham over the issue for two years.

Their 15-year-old daughter Lydia began wearing her ring to the school in June 2004.

The Playfoots claim Lydia and up to a dozen pupils have been punished for breaking the rules.

Lydia recently stopped wearing the ring but feels 'betrayed' by the school.

She said: "My friends and I have had detentions and been taught in isolation for wearing the ring.

Restricting a religious symbol for Christians but allowing one for Muslims is discrimination. This is the spirit of antichrist the Bible talks about. It is not just the sinfulness of man it is the direct antagonism towards anything that has to do with Christ.