Pentecostal University students barricade themselves inside chapel ‘until Holy Spirit released’
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Premier bans all Christian jewellery after student stabbed with cross earring
SYDNEY, NSW – NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has announced the ban on all Christian-themed jewellery within schools after a violent incident involving a cross earring.
The incident involved a 14-year-old girl who allegedly used her cross earring to stab another student over a lunch disagreement.
The move comes after a similar ban on the Sikh community after a kirpan (ceremonial knife) was used in a playground brawl at Glenwood High.
“To be honest I was shocked to learn we still allow such dangerous items in our classrooms,” Premier Berejiklian told reporters.
“Ever since Roman times, crosses have been used as instruments of pain and torture.”
“Even today, I am aware that Christians often use the cross as a harmful tool of oppression.”
“My position is that no student should be allowed to take a weapon like this into school – full stop.”
However, some Church leaders say they’re feeling frustrated the ban was imposed without sufficient consultation with their community, as questions are raised about state freedom of religion protections.
Charlie Simms, from Christian charity Crosses 4 Australia, said his community is still “in shock”.
“This is an unfortunate incident and this shouldn’t happen. But this is surely an overreaction.”
“You shouldn’t just be able to ban the cross of Jesus as harmful just because someone used it in a violent way.”
“Thought, I do feel somewhat responsible due to the fact I didn’t defend other’s religious freedom.”
“First they came for the kirpan, and I did not speak out because I was not a Sikh…”
It is further reported that Jewish schools are anticipating a blowback as well after one of their students allegedly used a kippah (Jewish skullcap) in an attempt to suffocate a teacher.
Sign up to the Damascus Dropbear for more religious freedom updates. For further discussion around the Kirpan issue, see this blog at Law and Religion.
