The other night, at dinner, I told my mom about what we're doing in my US Government class
regarding the case of Doe v. Titanville Unified
School District.
This is a court case between a young boy's family and the Titanvillie Unified School District over the suspension of a fifth grader for carrying a kirpan, which is a ceremonial dagger carried by people of the Sikhs religion.
As I was telling her the details of the case she grew more and more concerned.
Because my mother herself is Agnostic and therefore not of the Sikhs religion and because she has two daughters who were raised in an Episcopalian school, I thought she would be on the side of the Titanville Unified School District.
Instead she said she was outraged by the blatant disregard for a religious practice that is so important to Sikhs.
Although my sister and I are well out of fifth grade, I think that if we were in the same class as a Sikh child she would hope that they could be allowed the same religious freedom as my sister and I.
She said that there will always be an isolated incident like the one referred to in Doe v. Titanville but that can't keep us from religious freedom.
From the mouth of a mother, “The suspension of a fifth grader for possessing a kirpan should be declared as unconstitutional."
This is a court case between a young boy's family and the Titanvillie Unified School District over the suspension of a fifth grader for carrying a kirpan, which is a ceremonial dagger carried by people of the Sikhs religion.
As I was telling her the details of the case she grew more and more concerned.
Because my mother herself is Agnostic and therefore not of the Sikhs religion and because she has two daughters who were raised in an Episcopalian school, I thought she would be on the side of the Titanville Unified School District.
Instead she said she was outraged by the blatant disregard for a religious practice that is so important to Sikhs.
Although my sister and I are well out of fifth grade, I think that if we were in the same class as a Sikh child she would hope that they could be allowed the same religious freedom as my sister and I.
She said that there will always be an isolated incident like the one referred to in Doe v. Titanville but that can't keep us from religious freedom.
From the mouth of a mother, “The suspension of a fifth grader for possessing a kirpan should be declared as unconstitutional."
Yes, I agree that it is important to practice one's religion.
ReplyDeletehowever, others safety is more important. The child can go 6 hours without carrying a Kirpan during school. After school, he can do whatever he wants with it, just not during school, as public safety is our concern.
With all do respect he can't. Sikh religious texts state that, the kirpan is to be worn on the body by the Sikh at all times. The kirpan may be made of either steel or of iron. It is commonly between 3 - 9 inches in length. These are the unalterable kirpan guidelines for Sikhs. The U.S. government should be willing to do what ever it takes to secure everyone’s religious rights, especially if it aids in the safety and peace of mind of others.
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