Lydia Playfoot is 16 years old - and a virgin. She wants to announce it to the world. She even went so far as to adopt an American custom, of wearing a silver ring inscribed with a Bible verse, to tell the world she has known no man (or boy).
The problem with this grand action is that wearing a ring is against her school rules. It's not even part of any recognisable Christian right or tradition, but Lydia Playfoot prefers to go to court to force the school to allow her to wear it.
She says Sikh and Muslim pupils can wear bangles and head-scarves in class. There is a fundamental difference, Ms Playfoot. By tradition as well as religious requirement, Sikhs have to wear Kara (Iron bracelet), along with 4 other symbols of their faith. Islam has set minimum standards for personal modesty, which are reflected in the various styles of clothing worn among Muslims. While such standards may seem out-dated or conservative to some people, Muslims view these values of public decency as timeless.
The method of dressing for Muslim women (and men) is set out in the Q'uran.
But your wanting to wear a ring that is not part of your religion, as reflected in it not being recognised by any sect of Christianity, is so obviously a personal choice.
Now you want to foist your choice onto the school, so they have to comply with your wishes against the rules they set up for the uniform code.
Lawyers for the school will insist that it is not operating a discriminatory policy because allowances made for Sikhs and Muslims only occur for items integral to their religious beliefs.
It argues that a Christian pupil would be allowed to wear a crucifix.
In freely choosing the school, lawyers will also say that Miss Playfoot and her parents voluntarily accepted to adhere to the uniform code.
Take an example from Shabina Begum who lost her case to wear a jilbab. It WAS NOT part of mainstream accepted Muslim faith. Same as your ring.
If you really want to show you're a proud virgin, find some way that it won't break the school uniform rules.
All these 'testing' of the law where it concerns school uniform is just playing ring around the rosie.
