Student suspended for bringing rosary beads to school
posted at 5:30 pm on May 23, 2010 by Cassy Fiano
A devout Catholic teenager was suspended for the crime of bringing his rosary beads to school. The school claimed it could be showing gang affiliation or endangering “the safety, health, morals or welfare of himself or others”.
The ACLU, shockingly, is seemingly silent on this.
The parents of a high school student from Rockland County are demanding answers after their ninth grader was suspended for wearing rosary beads to school.
He was suspended even though the school doesn’t even have a policy banning them. So did the principal go too far? Jason Laguna is a former altar boy and proud Catholic. He got his rosary beads as a gift, thinks they look cool and sometimes wears them under his shirt at school. But last Friday, right before dismissal, he pulled them out on his way out. He was given a one-day suspension from Fieldstone Secondary School. His mother calls the punishment extreme, considering the 14-year-old is a member of student government and, according to his last report card, “is a pleasure to have in class.” Laguna says she was told the school has an unwritten policy regarding beads because they could be used to show gang affiliation. The principal claims it was insubordination, saying Laguna’s actions, “endangered the safety, health, morals or welfare of himself or others.” Jason was supposed to stay home Friday, but late Thursday the district superintendent put that on hold pending further investigation. It may not be divine intervention, but his mother has contacted the American Civil Liberties Union as she continues to fight the suspension.
Yeah, this kid belongs to a gang all right. It’s called “the Catholic Church”, and those thugs are dangerous. They’ll shank you if you don’t watch your back!
In all seriousness, how could rosary beads, of all things, endanger the morals of others? The health and safety part will obviously get the typical school administration double-speak about how they could offend some poor non-Christian and cause violence (just like wearing the American flag on Cinco de Mayo!). But morals?! I really want to know where they got that one from. One would think that being a devout Catholic, and showing it by wearing rosary beads, would speak well to this boy’s morals. But not at this high school!
Also curious: how is a student supposed to follow an “unwritten” rule? It sounds to me like the typical religious discrimination found in schools today against Christianity, and the school just made up an excuse to stop this boy from expressing his faith. Amazing and ironic, isn’t it, that a student would be persecuted for his religion in a country founded by people seeking to escape religious persecution and discrimination.
I did some searching to see if the ACLU has taken up the case, but didn’t find anything. I don’t expect them to; after all, they don’t look out for the civil liberties of Christians.
Cross-posted from Cassy’s blog. Stop by for more original commentary, or follow her on Twitter!
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I believe there is an iPhone App for that now.
RobCon on May 23, 2010 at 5:33 PM
They were seeking, in part, to escape the Catholics.
Do Catholic laity usually wear rosary beads around their necks? It seems an unusual practice.
dedalus on May 23, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Solution: Disguise the rosary as Islamic prayer beads and hide your bibles with false Qur’an covers.
Annar on May 23, 2010 at 5:40 PM
they were started by marxists and communists. this is no surprise. They call themselves American and for “Civil Liberties” however, once something like this happens….it’s *sound of crickets chirping…*
illuminating.
ted c on May 23, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Yes, this is bad, but guess what? It is going to get worse.
mobydutch on May 23, 2010 at 5:41 PM
just say allah next time, kid
you’ll be fine
blatantblue on May 23, 2010 at 5:42 PM
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Case closed.
kurtzz3 on May 23, 2010 at 5:43 PM
If you don’t know, why would you think it’s unusual.
Ever heard of these? Are they now illegal?
Akzed on May 23, 2010 at 5:45 PM
When do the beheadings begin?
Inanemergencydial on May 23, 2010 at 5:47 PM
Prediction: troll-free thread.
Akzed on May 23, 2010 at 5:47 PM
They were afraid he’d morally assault someone:
“Freeze, or I’ll cast that demon out of you.”
A far more egregious crime to leftist liberals is to accuse them of being anti-religious, demonic or soulless. (which, generally, they are.)
jcw46 on May 23, 2010 at 5:50 PM
People laugh when I mention that Christians are persecuted in America…
Nethicus on May 23, 2010 at 5:50 PM
That’s not a solution; that’s capitulation. IIn fact I find your flippant remark to be extremely insulting. I have carried a Rosary with me on and off since I first received one and make know bones about it to anyone. If some wimpy liberal is offended or insulted by it they need to find the strength to persevere. I know where I find my strength.
Tommy_G on May 23, 2010 at 5:54 PM
Now we know who didn’t leave the irony on…
Akzed on May 23, 2010 at 5:55 PM
No, the rosary isn’t normally worn as a necklace. But I don’t think there’s a rule you can’t.
JetBoy on May 23, 2010 at 5:57 PM
Sure, that’s what it says, but only laymen and the unsophisticated believe that’s what it means. The “living, breathing” new-age Constitution translates it differently.
rogerb on May 23, 2010 at 5:57 PM
combatwombat on May 23, 2010 at 6:01 PM
I read the story and from the link it looks like very bad judgement on the school’s part.
However…you should know that gang members (such as the Latin Kings) have been known to use gang colored rosary beads to represent their gang, which could be against school policy, if the school actually had one (which apparently they don’t here).
Also, it is not traditional for Catholics to “wear” rosary beads, especially visible around the neck. Some Catholics consider it at worst sacreligious or at best, a show of piety. As a Catholic myself, I was taught not to.
brennan251 on May 23, 2010 at 6:01 PM
This isn’t a case of Catholics being targeted. More like getting caught in the crossfire. Rosaries are being worn as a symbol of gang affiliation, and quite a few campuses have banned them across the nation. He should have the right to wear them anyway. He basically was targeted for being the wrong race while wearing a rosary. Just saying, at least try to cover all the angles. It would have taken about 5 seconds of googling (actually reading the article would have helped, too) to learn about the gang link.
RightOFLeft on May 23, 2010 at 6:02 PM
I do.
http://www.therosaryproject.com/Wearable_Rosaries_C60.cfm
ambuldog on May 23, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Because of the problem of induction. I’ve never seen it, though perhaps it is a custom I haven’t come across.
dedalus on May 23, 2010 at 6:05 PM
Perhaps, we need to send the Spanish Inquisition or the Swiss Guard to have a tete-a-tete with the school authorities.
El Coqui on May 23, 2010 at 6:05 PM
Schools acting stupidly. There is no mercy for stupid principals now. When they make up rules and generate false claims, millions will find out. This has been popular for years but the State controlled media never gave national coverage to these stupid educators. It may come one day that principals will get fired for stunts that show now harm and get punished.
I am sure if it was done by a Muslim kid, this could not have happened.
seven on May 23, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Now THAT was funny. Sad and true, but also funny.
Daggett on May 23, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Does the kid have other gang colors or gang ink?
Gang membership is more than just a few prayer beads: it is having and wearing the colors, and taking the ink. If someone is suspected of gang affiliation then the colors are obvious and even young teens are taking the ink… and beads in the colors along with clothing in the colors are warning signs. The ink would make it definite.
Anti-gang work is one thing.
Rules that cannot differentiate between gang colors and those freely expressing religion are something else, again. And children have these individuals known as ‘parents’ or ‘guardians’ if you suspect them of gang activity and are the proper ones to contact about it.
ajacksonian on May 23, 2010 at 6:08 PM
Do Catholic laity usually wear rosary beads around their necks? It seems an unusual practice.
dedalus on May 23, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Wearing of a Rosary that one actually uses to pray is neither uncommon nor sacrilegious in various Roman Catholic-adherent cultures and was a common practice in the Medieval and Renaissance periods, particularly among religious (monks, nuns, and friars).
Picked this info up at New World Encyclopedia, there is a lot of good information there if you wand to pursue the subject.
Tommy_G on May 23, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Some were but most were fleeing the Church of England.
As to the second statement what other Catholic’s do is immaterial. If this young man wanted to wear his rosary it was his business.
The principal needs to resign for terminal stupidity.
chemman on May 23, 2010 at 6:09 PM
I make no claim that these people are Roman Catholic, however here are some pictures of people wearing rosary’s as necklaces:
http://cdn3.ioffer.com/img/item/100/153/153/rkZqzpxtoiCKNGq.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/04/08/article-1010118-00D659DA00000578-897_468x643_popup.jpg
http://www.imnotobsessed.com/image/lohanbeads.jpg
This site has on sale a rosary necklace tee shirt
http://www.zazzle.com/rosary_necklace_tshirt-235653151257536709
talking_mouse on May 23, 2010 at 6:11 PM
I deduce your use.
Akzed on May 23, 2010 at 6:12 PM
Not common, but not that unusual. Tennis great Mary Pierce often wore one while playing in tournaments.
MassVictim on May 23, 2010 at 6:13 PM
I saw a similar issue occur with an Honors Chemistry Student in the late 90′s. She was suspended for wearing gang related shoes. The shoes she wore were one of the symbols used byo Skin Head Gangs. The problem was that the young lady was Hispanic and avoided all gangs like the plague.
chemman on May 23, 2010 at 6:14 PM
The Huguenots were fleeing the Catholics in France. The Puritans were irritated the Anglicans because they didn’t do away with enough Catholicism.
dedalus on May 23, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Next time just bring a prayer rug and a compass…
Caper29 on May 23, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Eventually ..ratboy will show up.
chemman on May 23, 2010 at 6:17 PM
Hmm, how much is “enough”?
MassVictim on May 23, 2010 at 6:17 PM
Actually, it was over forced usage of the prayer book, restrictions on unauthorized worship, clerical garb, whether episcopacy is biblical, are a biblical, etc. It didn’t have much to do with Calvinism. (See Article XVII.)
Akzed on May 23, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Thanks to you and others upthread for the links. I’ve been around quite a few Catholics but hadn’t seen the practice. The info is helpful.
dedalus on May 23, 2010 at 6:19 PM
The Puritans believed that they were the first Christians, apparently.
Akzed on May 23, 2010 at 6:20 PM
Some believed the RCC became the AntiChrist somewhere along the way–I think with Constantine. At any rate, they really didn’t like the Pope.
dedalus on May 23, 2010 at 6:24 PM
GMAFB!
I’ve not seen anything here that supports the whole point of the thread: this kid was singled out and persecuted.
I don’t give a pius rat’s rear-end if rosary beads are worn by some gang members…the kid was NEVAH accused of gang activity.
Y’all who are looking for excuses for the Awe-Thor-At-Ese may be trying to play devil’s advocate…but sorry. This one doesn’t pass the smell test.
Howevah…the kid just learned a very valuable lesson, and I betcha it ain’t one the left wanted him to learn!
Chewy the Lab on May 23, 2010 at 6:25 PM
I wore my rosary around my neck in Vietnam. Daedalus….. fly closer to the sun
MNDavenotPC on May 23, 2010 at 6:26 PM
Once Cromwell died and the bishops came back the pendulum swung the other way. The Acts of Uniformity were the real problem. Forcing people to attend churches weekly using the Book of Common Prayer under penalty of law was the biggest problem. Beheadings for conducting unauthorized worship services was a sticking point too.
It had little to do with Rome, and everything to do with royal religious insecurities. The pope had lost power in England. I blame Rome’s endorsement of William the Bastard against Harold. I know, that’s just me.
Akzed on May 23, 2010 at 6:31 PM
“…the school has an unwritten policy regarding beads because they could be used to show gang affiliation.”
Any wonder our ‘education system’ is in the toilet?
I’ve been a cop for 30 years and have NEVER heard of any ‘gang’ using ‘beads’ as a symbol of anything.
As for ‘unwritten rules’……..this ass is begging for a lawsuit! Mom and Dad should settle for nothing less than “he’s FIRED!”
GarandFan on May 23, 2010 at 6:33 PM
Ha. And show up in a burka (male or female).
BowHuntingTexas on May 23, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Those things can be as dangerous as some of that kung fu stuff.
NUN chucks, especially.
profitsbeard on May 23, 2010 at 6:39 PM
This is of course about the self assured liberal attitude that all others are so stupid and gullible that the mere sight of a religious object is enough to indoctrinate whom ever might see it.
No matter our schools are Karl Marx toxic to the point of radioactive, filling children s minds with immoral liberal crap, that’s just fine and dandy, the sight of rosary beads? That’s too much.
Speakup on May 23, 2010 at 6:40 PM
But if he wore a Che’ T-shirt, no problem.
RadClown on May 23, 2010 at 6:43 PM
The schools should have a simple dress code–something like khaki pants and polo shirts. Give them a choice of 2 colors. No clothing with logos, trademarks, slogans, photos, etc.
The fact that they don’t is one of their many problems.
dedalus on May 23, 2010 at 6:45 PM
My wife teaches in a middle-school in a Latino region of the Phoenix area, and rosaries are banned at her school as well.
It has nothing to do with religious affiliation or the like, but everything to do with gang affiliation. The color of the beads (i.e. brown=East Side Brown Pride) denotes what gang the wearer is affiliated with.
It sucks that the gangs have appropriated a religious symbol in that way, but that’s the reality of it.
ExUrbanKevin on May 23, 2010 at 6:48 PM
Heh.
ROCnPhilly on May 23, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Well,the suspension of the student is assine,and
beyond the pale!
If you really want to see a bizaar mindset,and where
an attitude seems to be at a point of no return and
non-negotiable,look at what a grade 8 Muslim teacher
said in response to her students putting a bible on
her teachers desk!
====================
She could have handled it with more humor !! Her first name is Melissa ~ she could be a convert to Islam ~ in Islam you are not free to name your child as you want ~ however there is no way of knowing how she came to be a Muslim. Often its marriage. The kids put a picture of Jesus on the desk and she threw it in the trash. Tad bit extreme!
============================================
Hussain wrote on the social-networking site that it was a “hate crime” that students anonymously left a Bible on her desk, and she told how she “was able to shame her kids” over the incident. Her Facebook page included comments from friends about “ignorant southern rednecks,” and one commenter suggested Hussain retaliate by bringing a Dale Earnhardt Jr. poster to class with a swastika drawn on the NASCAR driver’s forehead.
=============================
http://islamizationwatch.blogspot.com/2010/02/north-carolina-muslim-school-teacher.html
canopfor on May 23, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Yeah, I was a bit late in understanding what the Our Lady of Guadalupe pictures on everything were all about.
Shay on May 23, 2010 at 6:55 PM
According to catechism, the wearing of the Rosary is permitted as long as the wearer is devout and not Nicole Richie trying to be trendy.
ExcessivelyDiverted on May 23, 2010 at 6:56 PM
Yeah but walk in carrying a copy of “Das Capital” and they will make you their poster boy for “progress and diversity”. They really are a bunch of narrow minded dumb f*cks!!!
Thank God I was schooled by Catholics; I would never have obtained a PhD had my parents kept me in public schools.
And people wonder why I always vote “NO” when a school levy comes up! Not to worry, I make up for it by voting “NO” on any tax or fee measure that makes it on the ballot and anyone with a (D) by their name.
The ACLU press conference will begin in FIVE . . . . . FOUR . . . . . . THREE . . . . .
Bubba Redneck on May 23, 2010 at 6:59 PM
When I was in HS, the Chicano gang members all had rosaries on. Every single one of them, it was a talisman against getting shot by them. The color was an indicator of the gang you were affiliated with.
Tim Burton on May 23, 2010 at 7:01 PM
The kid should go to school the next day wearing a full burka and dare the principle to kick his @ss out of school.
OxyCon on May 23, 2010 at 7:02 PM
PhD in what?
Tim Burton on May 23, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Haven’t you heard about the history of that institution?
I mean I’m all for the kid and his rosary but to imply that the RCC is no thug in the past, is uninformed. We enjoy freedom of religion here in the States not because of the RCC.
If the RCC had their way, it will still be a church-state marriage.
maynila on May 23, 2010 at 7:06 PM
What part of…
Doesn’t this school understand?
The parents should sue the district down to its shorts.
The Rock on May 23, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Yeah, I had to check afterwords to be sure…I guess as long as the rosary is worn with reverence, and not as some trendy fashion accessory.
JetBoy on May 23, 2010 at 7:12 PM
The only solution is school choice. Short of that, they are gulags.
ray on May 23, 2010 at 7:13 PM
Not always; but it is a common practice in many deeply Catholic Latino/Hispanic cultures.
What a load of blathering nonsense. But thanks for playing the history card…it really makes your argument, um, not relevant.
englishqueen01 on May 23, 2010 at 7:15 PM
Our school specifically forbid “numbchucks”.
Obligatory nunchucks video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsEZ2lpM0Yw
strictnein on May 23, 2010 at 7:24 PM
I knew thugs in high school in the 90′s who wore them and they certainly were not upstanding individuals, albeit nominal catholics. This case might be entirely different and one of actual discrimination, but, the practice of wearing the beads is not unheard of.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-03-16-rosaries-gangs_N.htm
Not sure if we need to be outrageously outraged about this one…
Bee on May 23, 2010 at 7:35 PM
NUN chucks, especially.
profitsbeard on May 23, 2010 at 6:39 PM
===============
Our school specifically forbid “numbchucks”.
Obligatory nunchucks video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsEZ2lpM0Yw
strictnein on May 23, 2010 at 7:24 PM
strictnein:Heres a golden oldie,with humour!!
======================================================
Cheech & Chong – Sister Mary Elephant & Sargent Stadanko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bEhDaoh6pU
canopfor on May 23, 2010 at 7:37 PM
Wonder if anyone of the Hindu faith has to ‘wash that gang mark’ off their forehead?
GarandFan on May 23, 2010 at 7:38 PM
I’m torn on school uni’s on one hand you would think they would avoid some problems on the other hand so far as the government is concerned more freedom not less is nearly always the answer which leaves the responsibility with the parents where it belongs.
If you have an issue with one of your work colleagues its the bosses responsibility, when its kids, the parent is the boss, they’re the responsible party.
IMHO
Speakup on May 23, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Exactly. We also need to remember that while government school curriculum and some teachers are piss poor, there are plenty of honorable, hard-working teachers who have unprecedented challenges to deal with. I understand the need for discernment, but they must create certain hard and fast rules to compensate for a large student population. Plenty of seemingly innocuous things probably get caught in the “zero tolerance” net.
Bee on May 23, 2010 at 7:44 PM
How is that different from wearing a cross which many of us do 24/7. The administration at this school is cuckoo–to put it mildly.
jeanie on May 23, 2010 at 7:46 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-03-16-rosaries-gangs_N.htm
Not sure if we need to be outrageously outraged about this one…
Bee on May 23, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Bee: Me thinks one has to take a plunge over the clift so
to speak about the connection of the rosary beads to
Catholics,or for that matter any part of religion!
This is all about gangs period,not religion!
==================================================
because they were “gang-related,”
triggered questions over the evolving role of rosaries in religion, fashion and street gangs.
And this line is really a stretch however I imagine a lot
of Liberals will lose sleep over this one,as well as a
priority to be studied with a fore-gone conclsion favour
ing their already made up mind-set!!:)
————————————-
In the latest cultural take on a symbol that has gone from Catholic altars to Britney Spears’ bosom,
the rosary is blurring the lines of liberty and safety on campus.
canopfor on May 23, 2010 at 7:48 PM
Oops,thats conclusion,not conclsion!
canopfor on May 23, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Prediction: The usual trolls show up and promptly bring up the Crusades or the Salem Witch Trials (the only pages in their playbook).
CurtZHP on May 23, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Nice quick explanation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNdKSF8LzzQ
RBMN on May 23, 2010 at 8:03 PM
Actually they do work to protect Christian symbols and religious freedom. If you took five minutes to perform a modicum of research on the ACLU you would know that. They often work with Christian groups in doing so.
Again, just taking two minutes to look into this uncovers a range of police, prison, and school admin documentation that rosaries are indeed used expensively by gangs.
You obviously know little about your subject matter and you are too lazy to take a minute to look into the issues you bring up.
lexhamfox on May 23, 2010 at 8:04 PM
So I posit this question: because thugs and gang-bangers have usurped what is, has been, and always will be a very significant symbol and expression of the Catholic faith means we who are Catholic must hide our Rosaries?
Wow. Were I a Catholic-hating liberal, I’d just make sure to take every meaningful aspect of the Catholic faith, twist it, and viola! I’ve made sure no Catholic can express her religion in public.
englishqueen01 on May 23, 2010 at 8:08 PM
good thing he didnt bring a Koran huh? He would have really been in trouble. Right?
pgrossjr on May 23, 2010 at 8:15 PM
They’re also used to protect people from evil:
http://www.popejpii.com/products/J12.jpg
RBMN on May 23, 2010 at 8:28 PM
I saw this story last week on Fox, and I wondered about the brother and how he died.
Was he the gang-banger?
AnninCA on May 23, 2010 at 8:32 PM
My cousin teaches in North Rockland High School, this is direct from him:
dentalque on May 23, 2010 at 8:34 PM
No ifs or buts about this incident. The principal of this school must be fired. Every decent person in the neighborhood needs to support this action.
And as a side note, this is Obama’s legacy at work. Send ACORN workers to steal votes. Send the SEIU to rough up political opponents at rallys. Send SEIU workers to intimidate private individuals who represent interests the Obama administration is demonizing. Allow Black Panthers to intimidate voters at the voting booth. Buy car companies to keep the UAW pensions full and healthy — and buy votes along the way.
Obama is a socialist. Obama is a Marxist. Obama is a facist.
16MPG on May 23, 2010 at 8:43 PM
Want to hear an interesting story? An almost-victim of Ted Bundy believes she was spared because she said the Rosary every night before bed, even if she fell asleep while praying it. The night Ted Bundy killed her sorority sisters, she had fallen asleep with the beads in her hand:
englishqueen01 on May 23, 2010 at 8:45 PM
Wow. Do you (or your cousin) have any hard sources? I’d like to see them.
Bee on May 23, 2010 at 8:45 PM
No and no. He values his job. Pay attention to this story, there is more to it apparently. It is not a story of Catholic persecution. He did not speak very highly of his principal, either.
dentalque on May 23, 2010 at 8:57 PM
I sooo wish I could punch the monitor, but it’d be useless to get hurt myself when I wanna take it on the stupid who suspended him.
Divine justice allright, that I am not there to drag him to a church or to show my disbelief and anger in more constructive ways!
Get a hold of LaHaye and Jenkins STAT!
ProudPalinFan on May 23, 2010 at 9:02 PM
Has il papa di tutti papas been told?
PersonFromPorlock on May 23, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Yes there is, I have it in Spanish it’s called “Santo Rosario”, is free. I bet there is one in English too. I wear mine every day, if not almost every day. I received a very beautiful rosary, handmade, from a Catholic organization. Pink hearts as beads; since the crucifix broke when I took it off the package, I put one of mine in (because I make my own rosaries, you know) and added one of my medals of Maria Rosa Mystica.
My rosary indeed would be so threatening and outs me as a follower of the Word of Jesus Christ!
ProudPalinFan on May 23, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Also, it is not traditional for Catholics to “wear” rosary beads, especially visible around the neck. Some Catholics consider it at worst sacreligious or at best, a show of piety. As a Catholic myself, I was taught not to.
brennan251 on May 23, 2010 at 6:01 PM
I wear it as a protection.
ProudPalinFan on May 23, 2010 at 9:10 PM
For those of you interested in examples of the ACLU standing up for the rights of Christians, do pay a visit to http://www.aclufightsforchristians.com/. Unless of course you are bothered by facts contradicting your preconceptions. Because — and this is the real beauty of the ACLU, whose only client is the First Amendment — the ACLU will also stand up for your right to trash the ACLU.
factoid on May 23, 2010 at 9:16 PM
I’m well aware that Muslims and Catholics hold their beads dear and think there is nothing wrong with religious talismans and symbols being carried by students. I am sure the circumstances of this case will reveal whether the school was correct or overzealous in their decision to punish this student. The school district knows this is potentially expensive and I doubt that they would have risked an expensive civil rights suit if there were not more going on in this case. It’s awful that gangs are using rosaries as identification and this presents schools with a difficult choices. Schools need to fight gangs while protecting kids who are merely exercising their right to worship as they want.
You linked a picture of the Pope praying with beads which is common. Do you have a link showing the Pontiff with beads worn around his neck outside of his clothes as this student did? It is not common and in Europe it is considered improper. I just called a clergy member I know well and he said it’s a little odd.
I remain open minded but suspect there is more going on here. Cassie presents this disingenuously as a clear cut attempt to restrict a students right to be Catholic… and it is BS.
My problem with Cassie’s posting is that she
lexhamfox on May 23, 2010 at 9:21 PM
Those are circular objects made of plastic or glass strung on cheap string. Tell me what intrinsic power they have?
I wanted to believe that catholics used them as a memory device, not as some superstitious trinket like a talisman or dreamcatcher. Please tell me I’m wrong.
Bee on May 23, 2010 at 9:22 PM
Dedalus, you are very ill-informed about the early Church so read what the early Christian writers had to say before you call Roman Catholics the AntiChrist… and there were two Popes, one for the Eastern Orthodox Church and one for the Western Church established in Rome…
from an ardent Roman Catholic
chai on May 23, 2010 at 9:24 PM
So are local Christians whining like mewling sissies?
The same cowards that would cave to Muslims are doing this to us. Christians need to start fighting back, or we will be trampled under.
Spartacus on May 23, 2010 at 9:24 PM
Was his brother a gang-banger?
AnninCA on May 23, 2010 at 9:26 PM
Wrong. Many reformers believed the RCC to be the false church and the pontiff specifically to be the antiChrist.
Bee on May 23, 2010 at 9:28 PM
…
And now I can finally admit my fear, that after all those years seeing those gangsters in school, day after day, wearing all sizes and colors of gang related beads. My life was one of fear and intimidation. Always concerned that even a stray glance on my part could be taken ‘the wrong way’!
I remember this one gangster, she towered over the rest of them. Around her neck was this large oppressive string of black beads intertwined in a gold chain. All of the other members of what was clearly her gang, would speak quietly and respectfully to her at all times! Hope was all that prevented anyone that crossed her path from terrible retribution!
One could only imagine what horrible daily rituals she forced all of the rest of them to perform. When asked, they would only nod in concurrance that they respected her in every way!
I can see EXACTLY why this principal would be so appalled that this sort of gang might infect HIS school!
Freddy on May 23, 2010 at 9:31 PM
Do Catholic laity usually wear rosary beads around their necks? It seems an unusual practice.
dedalus on May 23, 2010 at 5:40 PM
I’m a newbie Catholic and what I was taught is that Rosaries are sacramentals meaning that they are to be used in specific prayers and sacraments. They are not jewelry-though there are Rosary bracelets that are made to be worn.
annoyinglittletwerp on May 23, 2010 at 9:32 PM
So are you folks arguing that the school acted correctly, that this 13 year old kid taking out his rosary on the way out of the school…who’s a member of the student government and doing well in his classes…wasn’t being persecuted because some students use a holy symbol as gang members?
It doesn’t bother you that he was suspended for a day over an “unwritten” rule?
Because I’d be a little upset if I was arrested and held in a jail cell for a day because I broke an “unwritten” law that states I couldn’t hang a crucifix from my rear-view mirror while driving past a school zone.
There were better ways to handle this.
DrAllecon on May 23, 2010 at 9:41 PM
It isn’t just Christian symbols.
About 15 years ago a local high school banned Stars of David because certain gangs used ‘six-pointed’ stars.
I don’t know if the ban stuck or if the school is still doing it.
annoyinglittletwerp on May 23, 2010 at 9:43 PM
Hmmmm.
“Double Secret Rosary Bead Probation!”
I couldn’t help myself. And it does seem to fit the story.
memomachine on May 23, 2010 at 9:55 PM
Hmmm.
“I can see EXACTLY why this principal would be so appalled that this sort of gang might infect HIS school!”
I’ve heard that some female only gangs wear black dresses with white hats and wear rosary beads! And they call themselves “Brides of Christ”!
Whoever this “Christ” guy is he certainly has way more wives than he needs…..
memomachine on May 23, 2010 at 9:57 PM
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