THW BAN ALL RELIGIOUS AND IDEOLOGICAL SYMBOLS IN SCHOOLS

PROP
CL: School is neither a temple nor a political party
Definition
Religious symbols: iconic representation which is used to
represent that somebody is a member of a religious ideology.
(e.g. cross Christians, om Hinduisms)
Ideological symbols: iconic representation which intends to
declare the body of ideas which reflects the needs or beliefs of
an individual or group (e.g. Nazi symbol, ying-yang)
Schools: private and state/public schools
Ban: not permitted to wear or bring
Where?
a) In multicultural environments.
b) Wherever the use of symbols can cause tension or
discrimination or violation of the principles of equality.
c) Democratic regimes (the only places we can start making
real change)
Who decides? The one that has the authority in school if it
is perceived as one that causes offence it should be banned.
For any purpose they may serve, even fashion (purpose can
be misinterpreted and cause offense.
Possible clarifications:
a) If symbols are unknown then it depends on the rest (if they
are perceived as offensive or not)
b) If they are permanent (eg. Tattoos) they should not be visible
! WE ARE NOT BANNING RELIGION, JUST THE
ICONIC REPRESENTATION OF IT.
1. Symbols create problems
a) They are dangerous
o Students can be targeted for their beliefs bulling
(they are in a vulnerable age) some might not even
show the religion or ideology for fear school is a
frightening place for students.
o According to survey by BeatBulling Charity (Nov. 17
2008)from 47% of those who practice their religion at
school 26% reported being bullied AND the bulling
because of religion in students age 12-18 is physical:
11.3%, psychological: 17.3 and verbal: 19.9 various
forms of bulling b/c of religion and ideology in schools
o Dangerous and impractical for many lessons such as
P.E., technology etc.

b) They cause tension

o Felling of the outsider of the people who dont advocate
the majoritys religion or ideology
o Religion: consider countries WITH state eligion (e.g.
Greece, Ethiopia orthodox Christians)
Out of class in religion
Out of ceremonies
o Ideology: (e.g. Cuba, China communism)
How would a non-communism feel?
Hard to express it
Probably against family beliefs
c) They case discrimination
Source of division
Divisive may lead to bullying
o Religious : Muslims wear Hijab treated with less
respect
o According to survey by BeatBulling Charity (Nov. 17
2008) 2 out of 5 students choose for friends kids with
the same religion.
d) They cause offense
o Are offensive to some religions especially in extremist
religions
Cause offence bullying and other harm
o Understanding that ones freedom is limited to where it
causes offence symbols can offend
o Some religions ideology doesnt agree with others
students might be offended.
o Ideological symbols might advocate values opposite to
(a) family, (b) religion, (c) states beliefs
o Why? Students beliefs and symbols derive from the
family and the environment of his family. In school no
family environment he can be offended.
2. Forms of oppression should not exist in schools
o Children are being oppressed by parents or society
o Cause distractions
o The symbols themselves are oppressive Ex.Muslim
hijab compulsory in Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan, by
definition means of oppression for women.
o Counter-productive
o Defeat the purpose of school (to learn and develop
character to be later able to be fully integrated in
society), not argue about religion, ideologies
o School is not a temple or a political party.

3. Symbols hinder the students ability to develop its own free

perceptions of religion and ideology
o Imposed upon the child
o Boundaries, limit the childs freedom
o When a person is young does not know, understand
religion, just wears the symbol because his parents tell
him to.
o By banning symbols teaching children to develop free
perceptions and not base region upon symbols, but a
deeper understanding
o If the child wants to promote religion will have to talk
about, discuss, so will have to know and understand it
4. Feasible
o Eg. of France since 2004 has banned religious symbols
in schools