Amelia Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 Albany teens suspended for wearing crucifixes February 24, 2008 Associated Press ALBANY, Ore. (AP) -- A pair of Albany teenagers were suspended from high school for a few days recently because they were wearing crucifixes that school officials called "gang-related behavior." Fourteen-year-old Jaime Salazar and his friend, 16-year-old Marco Castro, say their mothers gave them the crucifixes -- and they deny they're involved with any gangs. South Albany High School Principal Chris Equinoa says religious items are not banned, but he reserves the right to ask a student to remove, or cover up, any item he feels could indicate gang affiliation -- even a crucifix. A spokesman for the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Portland says the archdiocese has no reports of gangs using crucifixes to identify themselves in Western Oregon. Albany police say fellow officers in Salem and Hillsboro have been contending with crucifixes and rosaries as gang markers for the past several years. Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p>
fccool Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 If my religious belief sated that I must not wear any clothes... should schools tolerate that too? I know it's a ridiculous counter point, but you get my drift. Quote
Liz Posted February 27, 2008 Posted February 27, 2008 If my religious belief sated that I must not wear any clothes... should schools tolerate that too? I know it's a ridiculous counter point, but you get my drift. They probably wouldn't have a problem with it, unless your community has been having trouble with a gang of nekkid people. Then your nekkidness would be considered gang related. teehe Quote For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Mat. 16:26Please, support the JDRF and help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Please, support the March of Dimes.
Neil D Posted March 1, 2008 Posted March 1, 2008 School is primary a learning enviroment. Safety is a primary goal. Gang related crucifics are not conducive to a safe learning enviroment. Hence, your nakedness would not be tolerated either, as it is not safe nor promoting a learning enviroment...at least, not one in which the overwhelming majority of parents would approve... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
Amelia Posted March 1, 2008 Author Posted March 1, 2008 *GP* How do the schools differentiate between a gang crucifix and one not gang related? How are they deciding who is gang affiliated?What if it goes so far as the schools not allowing crucifixes at all? Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p>
Liz Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 *GP* How do the schools differentiate between a gang crucifix and one not gang related? How are they deciding who is gang affiliated?What if it goes so far as the schools not allowing crucifixes at all? It is my understanding from the article that that is exactly what has happened. The school has *deemed* all crucifixes as "gang related". The students in question have stated that they are not related to any gang and that their mothers are the ones that gave them the crosses. However, the school went ahead and suspended them. Therefore, I would surmise that no crucifixes would be allowed period. It is probably all part of that zero tolerance *stuff* that tends to allow the "powers-that-be" to not have to excersize any common sense. Quote For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Mat. 16:26Please, support the JDRF and help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Please, support the March of Dimes.
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