Female teachers aide suspended for wearing religious cross in school

[Dinner]

I say we flog the school board. Then we can nail them to a cross.

[Jaguar]

You can (fortunately) draw a line between wearing a cross and wearing a swastika this way: A cross is not a symbol of open support for mass murder.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Jaguar Warrior
You can (fortunately) draw a line between wearing a cross and wearing a swastika this way: A cross is not a symbol of open support for mass murder.

To some, perhaps it is (there were those Crusades, the Inquisition, etc.).

The swastika doesn't have to symbolize Nazism, as it is an ancient symbol used in both Greek and Indian cultures.

Even now, some Neo-Nazi orgs who use the swastika as a symbol also reject the genocidal aspect of Hitler's regime. So it's not so clear-cut.

[Proteus_MST]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov

The swastika doesn't have to symbolize Nazism, as it is an ancient symbol used in both Greek and Indian cultures.

As well as it was used by the Celts, the ancient germans, in Buddhism and Hinduism and in mucn other countries and Religions.
Most of the times it is used as a holy Symbol, a symbol for the Sun, deities and a symbol which brings Luck.

It is a shame that Hitler brought such a Symbol which was in most Cultures regarded as a beneficial one into such a disrepute.
(Probably he chose it, because it symbolized "Thors Hammer" for the ancient Germans)

[Thud]

Sava, perhaps I am wrong, or perhaps its because I get my news from Fox, but I have found no mention of preaching going on. I am looking at the article right now. No mention by anyone.

It was a case of dress code, apparantly. No relgious symbols allowed. In another unrelated case, a Muslim women was also suspended for wearing a burkha, which is even more silly!

IMHO, that is ridiculous. Suspending a teacher because she wears a cross?!? It's like suspending someone for wearing a bloody wedding ring! "Oh, you must belong to one of those 'non-pagan' religions. For shame, for shame. We wouldn't want the children to get the impression that marriage is moral!"

Good God.

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


To some, perhaps it is (there were those Crusades, the Inquisition, etc.).

The swastika doesn't have to symbolize Nazism, as it is an ancient symbol used in both Greek and Indian cultures.

Even now, some Neo-Nazi orgs who use the swastika as a symbol also reject the genocidal aspect of Hitler's regime. So it's not so clear-cut.

You're reaching back 500 years to find violence associated with the cross. The swastika is still used as a symbol of violence today. It's not black and white, but you have to draw the line through the gray, and the swastika and cross are clearly on opposite sides of the line.

[Gatekeeper]

On a related note, whatever became of the Muslim woman in Florida who refused to remove her head covering so her face would be visible on her driver's license photo?

Gatekeeper

[Dinner]

Then she doesn't get a driver's licience. It should be that simple.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Actually she did get her license, with the head covering intact.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Jaguar Warrior

You're reaching back 500 years to find violence associated with the cross. The swastika is still used as a symbol of violence today. It's not black and white, but you have to draw the line through the gray, and the swastika and cross are clearly on opposite sides of the line.

Last I looked, the KKK was still in the habit of the occasional cross burning. If you think religious violence by Christians stopped 500 years ago, you're delusional.

The overall point was that there is no clear delineation between symbols like this. To some, they are harmless, to others, they're offensive. Just look at the flap over the Confederate flag, which some revere as a symbol of honor, and others abhor as a symbol of oppressive inhumanity. It's not so easy to dismiss those who take offense, IMO.

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


Last I looked, the KKK was still in the habit of the occasional cross burning. If you think religious violence by Christians stopped 500 years ago, you're delusional.

I thought you'd point out the KKK. May I remind you that the cross the woman wore was not burning.

But really. I could list hundreds of reasons the swastika is offensive. The number of reasons the cross is offensive are pretty few. There's no way they are comparable. And you have to draw a line somewhere.

[Boris Godunov]

I think the line was drawn at a reasonable place - no religious symbols on display in the classroom.

[Jaguar]

You believe swastikas should be banned, too, right?

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Actually she did get her license, with the head covering intact.

I find that extrodinarially spineless of the state of Florida. So now they've issued a state id to someone who has effectly no picture. What is the point of that ID?

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Jaguar Warrior
You believe swastikas should be banned, too, right?

Except for history class purposes, yes.