This is an update in the case of 16 year old "Lydia Playfoot" of England who has worn a small silver ring to school as a symbol of Christian purity. "The ‘Silver Ring Thing’ is a Christian education project aimed at helping teenage girls value themselves, make right choices about their futures, and reduce Britain's ever-increasing rise in sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies amongst teenagers." (For the first post on this situation by "Catholic Psychology Blogspot", click on Silver Ring In High Court (Britain) .
Ms. Playfoot lost her case. Now she is considering if she should appeal. On Monday, July 16th, she said, "I am very disappointed by the decision this morning by the High Court not to allow me to wear my purity ring to school as an expression of my Christian faith not to have sex outside marriage.” ... “I believe that the judge’s decision will mean that slowly, over time, people such as school governors, employers, political organizations and others will be allowed to stop Christians from publicly expressing and practicing their faith.”An article put out the next day by Reuters News Service stated: "Playfoot’s legal challenge was the latest in a series of disputes in British schools in recent years over the right of pupils to wear religious symbols or clothing, such as crucifixes and veils." ... "Playfoot’s parents are key members of the British arm of the American chastity campaign group the "Silver Ring Thing", a religious group which urges abstinence among young people. Those who sign up wear a ring on the third finger of the left hand. It is inscribed with “Thess. 4:3-4,” a reference to a Biblical passage from Thessalonians which reads: “God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin.”
"During the case, Playfoot’s lawyers argued that the ban by her school in Horsham, West Sussex, breached her human rights to 'freedom of thought, conscience and religion” which are protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.' "
It is interesting to me how during the interview recorded in the video above, the man and woman presenting the questions to Lydia and her father, would not dare pose a positively directed question or comment regarding teenagers who wish to remain chaste and save sex for marriage. The questioning was more like an "interogation", as if young Lydia Playfoot had some how "set fire to her school", or arrogantly "adorned herself in Nazi war clothing".
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Regarding an adult who wrote in saying she "had been a Christian for 50 years, and never had need to use a ring to represent her Christianity." I wonder if this woman was ever married. If she had ever been married, being married would have included the Christian ritual and tradition to use a "RING" to "SYMBOLIZE" sexual devotion to her HUSBAND!!! I assure you at the beginning of the Christian Church, most citizens of Rome had virtually no concern for remaining chaste and devoting the sexual act to their spouses alone!
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Hmmmmm, it's interesting how history appears to come around full circle. I believe if this interview had been with a young lady who had been promiscuous given birth to a child outside of wedlock, the interviewers would have raced to the young lady's aide with nothing negative to say or question her about.
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Let us keep young Ms. Lydia Playfoot in prayer for her courage to stand up for Chastity in what is, and always has been, true Christian belief and devotion.
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Ms. Playfoot stated that she believes that "slowly over time" Christians will not be allowed to show any expression or practice of faith. I would argue that that process is anything but slow. Europe is taking the fast route to eliminating as many references to Christianity as possible, especially since the conception of the European Union whose lengthy constitution does make any references to Christianity whatsoever!!! Could you imagine a union of Muslim countries that would make no reference to Islam in their constitution? Yeah, right. The problem with Europe and increasingly the American left is the out-of-control relativism and deconstructionism that is stripping our society of morals and ultimately God himself. Trying to omit God from Western Civilization will fail without a doubt to create any sort of legacy and this is already being played out as Europeans have cut their birthrates to what can only be called suicidal levels while their "guest workers", mainly Muslims move to the continent in droves and have very high birth rates. At current levels Germany will have a Muslim majority in a little less than 50 years. And speaking of birthrates,sex in Europe has been deconstructed into a self-centered animalistic act only for self-enjoyment, not as a beautiful union of a man and wife (who of course are open to children). Thus with God out of the picture, love, responsibility, reproduction and sacrifice for others (most of the time raising children means less time and money for yourself) are out, and fun, fun, fun is in. Thus, it is a shame to see the "post-Christian" European society attempt to muzzle the remaining few voices of truth and reason. At least there are some such as the Playfoots who will stand up and speak out as the Lord has commanded us to do. Please pray for the reconversion of Europe as I do!!!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I wonder who on earth would actually file a complaint against Ms. Playfoot for wearing such an inconspicuous ring?
- Stuart
It's about time someone stands up for what they believe and be heard in the media (someone cared enough to publish this)! I hope that Ms. Playfoot continues to fight for what she believes in lieu of Christianity and that others follow her example. Psychologically, what this young woman did was probably very difficult and I agree with the first comment about the troubles in Europe and the EU. God give her strength and courage to live a fulfilled life in Christianity and help others to do the same. -Sheila
ReplyDeleteWe see more and more of these young people committed to their Faith with an inspired strength. Bless the girl and other who swim upstream!
ReplyDeleteAMDG,
Barbara