Comments on: Do Christians have the right to break the rules? http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/ by Dave Walker Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:05:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Speaker of Truth http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-163234 Speaker of Truth Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:25:17 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-163234 [...] I do not want to comment on the case of Lydia Playfoot, who lost her court case claiming the right to wear a Christian chastity ring at school. See here, here and here for some Christian reaction; see also Lydia’s own blog. [...] [...] I do not want to comment on the case of Lydia Playfoot, who lost her court case claiming the right to wear a Christian chastity ring at school. See here, here and here for some Christian reaction; see also Lydia’s own blog. [...]

]]> By: Ed Stych http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-153653 Ed Stych Sat, 30 Jun 2007 20:58:15 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-153653 Let's get back to the question in the headline, "Do Chrisitans have the right to break the rules?" Of course they do if the rules made by mere mortals are wrong. Jesus broke the Sabbath rules that were made by men. Many great Christians broke man-made rules ... Martin Luther, Martin Luther King Jr. (read his "Letter from Birmingham Jail"), Bonhoeffer, etc. OK, this ring issue is petty compared to most of the Christian rule breakers that immediately come to mind. But so was Rosa Parks picking the "wrong" seat on a bus. I'm glad Rosa decided to break that rule. The underlying issue in this ring case is that it appears Christians are being treated differently than Muslims and Sikhs ... an issue that was barely touched on in the linked article. If all religious garb was banned, this girl and her family wouldn't have a problem adhering to this ... in my opinion ... silly school policy. The perception is that some people have more rights than other people. These are real gray areas in countries that respect religious liberty. Here in America we have Christian doctors refusing to perform abortions, Christian pharmacists refusing to provide drugs that result in "abortions," and Christian bus drivers refusing to drive buses that carry ads for gay magazines. We also have Muslim cab drivers refusing to transport anyone carrying a bottle of wine and Muslim cashiers refusing to wait on any shopper buying pork products. It's tough to draw the line in a country that respects religious liberty ... but it's a whole lot better than living in a country that has a state religion, and there are plenty of them out there. Let’s get back to the question in the headline, “Do Chrisitans have the right to break the rules?” Of course they do if the rules made by mere mortals are wrong. Jesus broke the Sabbath rules that were made by men. Many great Christians broke man-made rules … Martin Luther, Martin Luther King Jr. (read his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”), Bonhoeffer, etc.

OK, this ring issue is petty compared to most of the Christian rule breakers that immediately come to mind. But so was Rosa Parks picking the “wrong” seat on a bus. I’m glad Rosa decided to break that rule.

The underlying issue in this ring case is that it appears Christians are being treated differently than Muslims and Sikhs … an issue that was barely touched on in the linked article. If all religious garb was banned, this girl and her family wouldn’t have a problem adhering to this … in my opinion … silly school policy. The perception is that some people have more rights than other people.

These are real gray areas in countries that respect religious liberty. Here in America we have Christian doctors refusing to perform abortions, Christian pharmacists refusing to provide drugs that result in “abortions,” and Christian bus drivers refusing to drive buses that carry ads for gay magazines. We also have Muslim cab drivers refusing to transport anyone carrying a bottle of wine and Muslim cashiers refusing to wait on any shopper buying pork products.

It’s tough to draw the line in a country that respects religious liberty … but it’s a whole lot better than living in a country that has a state religion, and there are plenty of them out there.

]]> By: thomas bushnell, bsg http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-153212 thomas bushnell, bsg Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:41:35 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-153212 i wonder why this idea that students should not wear jewelry. like anything, it could be overdone or disruptive, but i don't see that one ring is either. are teachers allowed to wear jewelry in these schools? or is jewelry only offensive on students, because it (horrors) suggests that students are the equals of the teachers? i wonder why this idea that students should not wear jewelry. like anything, it could be overdone or disruptive, but i don’t see that one ring is either.

are teachers allowed to wear jewelry in these schools? or is jewelry only offensive on students, because it (horrors) suggests that students are the equals of the teachers?

]]> By: jakstar http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-147557 jakstar Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:17:19 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-147557 I've never heard of this ring thing and to be honest do not see it as an integral part of my Christian faith. I wear a plain cross, it was a present from my husband, i wear it with pride as an outward sign of my inward faith. But, that's for me - not for other people. the symbol of the cross is a remider of the price christ paid for us. The fact Jesus is not on the cross on a piece of jewellery is fine - after all He is no longer nailed to the cross - he died ans rose again. I wear jewellery, but it is not my religion - thbe slipping into Idolitary! This ring thing debate is giving Christians negative publicity and is distracting us from our true calling. Not to tell the world about some daft piece of jewellery - but about Christ love, peace and grace. As Christians we also live under the law of the land, this ring thing debate sounds like a typical teenage rebellion (got a teenage girl of my own). I’ve never heard of this ring thing and to be honest do not see it as an integral part of my Christian faith.
I wear a plain cross, it was a present from my husband, i wear it with pride as an outward sign of my inward faith.
But, that’s for me – not for other people. the symbol of the cross is a remider of the price christ paid for us.
The fact Jesus is not on the cross on a piece of jewellery is fine – after all He is no longer nailed to the cross – he died ans rose again.
I wear jewellery, but it is not my religion – thbe slipping into Idolitary!
This ring thing debate is giving Christians negative publicity and is distracting us from our true calling.
Not to tell the world about some daft piece of jewellery – but about Christ love, peace and grace.
As Christians we also live under the law of the land, this ring thing debate sounds like a typical teenage rebellion (got a teenage girl of my own).

]]> By: Robbie http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-147424 Robbie Sun, 24 Jun 2007 06:46:39 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-147424 Interesting story. I only know what was in the linkied story, and I have no idea bout English or European law, but the point that stands out to me is where the school says "a Christian pupil would be allowed to wear a crucifix." I'm not sure wearing a crucifix is any more integral to Christian faith than wearing a purity ring. As others have pointed out and as my Lutheran beliefs suggest, sumbols might point to faith but do not embody the faith itself -- even the symbol of the cross, the focus of so much of my theology, is not required physically (today, that is; it was there at the Crucifixion, of course!). If the school has a policy that simply forbade all jewelry unless absolutely required for one's spiritual welfare, it might be OK (though then there could be questions as to why religious expression is allwed but not other forms of expression). But making a distinction between a crucifix (and I presume an empty cross would also count?) and a chastity ring, neither of which required but the one more traditionally recognized, seems to be worrisome and might actually end up supporting the girl's case more than anything else. Of course, coming from the eprspective of a rather libertarian American, the most sensible policy would seem to be simply allowing all jewelry so long as it meets criteria unrelated to content. (And the girl really risks expulsion for wearing a ring? My gooness...) Interesting story. I only know what was in the linkied story, and I have no idea bout English or European law, but the point that stands out to me is where the school says “a Christian pupil would be allowed to wear a crucifix.”

I’m not sure wearing a crucifix is any more integral to Christian faith than wearing a purity ring. As others have pointed out and as my Lutheran beliefs suggest, sumbols might point to faith but do not embody the faith itself — even the symbol of the cross, the focus of so much of my theology, is not required physically (today, that is; it was there at the Crucifixion, of course!). If the school has a policy that simply forbade all jewelry unless absolutely required for one’s spiritual welfare, it might be OK (though then there could be questions as to why religious expression is allwed but not other forms of expression). But making a distinction between a crucifix (and I presume an empty cross would also count?) and a chastity ring, neither of which required but the one more traditionally recognized, seems to be worrisome and might actually end up supporting the girl’s case more than anything else.

Of course, coming from the eprspective of a rather libertarian American, the most sensible policy would seem to be simply allowing all jewelry so long as it meets criteria unrelated to content. (And the girl really risks expulsion for wearing a ring? My gooness…)

]]> By: Kirk http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-147297 Kirk Sun, 24 Jun 2007 04:51:35 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-147297 I think the fact that many people who are Christians have never heard of this 'silver ring thing' thing, myself included, goes to show it is not central to the Christian faith. I think. Whether or not it is central to *her* faith is a different question... ...and a worrying one, too. I think the fact that many people who are Christians have never heard of this ’silver ring thing’ thing, myself included, goes to show it is not central to the Christian faith. I think. Whether or not it is central to *her* faith is a different question…

…and a worrying one, too.

]]> By: ~c. http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-147092 ~c. Sun, 24 Jun 2007 01:03:18 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-147092 Speaking of issues that really matter...what about the cause that is behind the girl's case? Is there substance to her concern or is it smoke for somethnig else? Speaking of issues that really matter…what about the cause that is behind the girl’s case? Is there substance to her concern or is it smoke for somethnig else?

]]> By: Room515 » Who do school rules apply to? http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-146943 Room515 » Who do school rules apply to? Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:25:22 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-146943 [...] This is taken from Cartoon Church - based on the case of the girl taking her High School to court for not letting her wear her “purity ring”. Its good that shes standing up for the thing she believes in, but surely as its not really a symbol of the Christian faith, and as its against school rules - then maybe she should just take her ring off? [...] [...] This is taken from Cartoon Church – based on the case of the girl taking her High School to court for not letting her wear her “purity ring”. Its good that shes standing up for the thing she believes in, but surely as its not really a symbol of the Christian faith, and as its against school rules – then maybe she should just take her ring off? [...]

]]> By: Andy http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-146901 Andy Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:32:05 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-146901 Well the ring isn't really a symbol of Christian faith, and since it goes against school rules, then surely she shouldn't wear the ring? Or is it not that simple..? Well the ring isn’t really a symbol of Christian faith, and since it goes against school rules, then surely she shouldn’t wear the ring?

Or is it not that simple..?

]]> By: Deanj http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-146837 Deanj Sat, 23 Jun 2007 17:59:39 +0000 http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2007/06/22/do-christians-have-the-right-to-break-the-rules/#comment-146837 Reminds me of the woman who wanted to wear a burka when she applied for a driver's license in Florida. ....But that's ok, since she's not Christian, right? Reminds me of the woman who wanted to wear a burka when she applied for a driver’s license in Florida.

….But that’s ok, since she’s not Christian, right?

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