European court: No crucifixes in Italian schools

Wednesday 04th November, 06:41 AM JST

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OneForAll at 04:07 PM JST - 4th November

Oh Hawkeye, I think Hawkins would disagree. Big Bang 13.5 Billion years ago is a fact (pretty close to one). Kind of points to the logos. Anyway, I really think competition should be introduced in school systems. Testing into the better schools as in Japan. Vouchers might be considered. Then the parents can choose what school fits the culture/values of the family. I myself prefer a Catholic School that has a strong focus on philosophy. Religion and public schools do not mix, but it has nothing of depth to offer.
nandakandamanda at 05:55 PM JST - 4th November

If you allow the classroom to be non-exclusive, ie as many religious symbols as the students like, then everyone will be wanting to display a larger one. (eg "Size matters." "Mine is bigger than yours.")

Unless you have a series of cubby holes, one religion per box! hahahaha...

The alternative is to ban them all from a place of learning.

But then you get the Taliban saying that schools are ungodly...
skipthesong at 06:13 PM JST - 4th November

Come on people, do all of you still believe in Santa Claus and the Easter bunny too?" Yes, I do believe in Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny, and I believe in Aliens and Ghosts too, which is why they should be taught in school. Religion however, can't do it to bring myself to believe in a god......
dammit at 09:04 PM JST - 4th November

I am not religious at all, but I think the EU is sticking it's nose right in where they have no business.

In an article I read earlier, one muslim student was interviewed and she said she takes no notice of the crosses and sees no point in having them removed. At no point has a muslim caused this problem, so please don't point the finger at them. It was one woman, non-muslim.

France is a prime example of a country which ignores EU directives unless they like them, so I recommend that Italy does the same. If the EU gets snotty, threaten to leave. Don't tell me it's impossible, if a country decides to leave the EU there's bog all anyone can do to stop them. It's time someone told the EU where to get off.
Taka313 at 09:50 PM JST - 4th November

You know, if I were Jesus, I'd probably want to put that whole crucifiction thing behind me. I don't think it would go down as one of my better days. And then having all those followers constantly bringing it up...

I don't know, call me a last supper type of guy.

Taka
dolphingirl at 10:01 PM JST - 4th November

The crucifix is the main symbol for Christian religions. There is no need to display it in secular schools. Seeing a crucifix hanging on the wall certainly could bother students who are not Christian. It should have no part in education. Morals and ethics can be learned without religion of any kind.
TheQuestion at 11:18 PM JST - 4th November

Same old story, attack the symbol merely to attack the symbol. It has nothing to do with Italian Mother fearing for the well being of her son, it's just a way to make money and cause a stir.
TheQuestion at 11:27 PM JST - 4th November

Seeing a crucifix hanging on the wall certainly could bother students who are not Christian.

Wha? I worked at a deli in dearborn for a few months when I was in highschool and they had islamic stuff all over the place and it never bothered me, true it was a private work place, but arguing that a mere religious symbol could cause somebody sever discomfort is pure stupidity. If they can't accept the fact that somebody, somewhere in the world, has the audacity to believe diffently than them they probably don't have the social or mental capacity to be in a public school anyway.

Just as a point of fact to support my earlier belief that this was just for money and attention.

Lautsi, who is of Finnish origins, and her husband, Massimo Albertin, said they were satisfied.

Thats after the courts gave them money but refused to force the schools to remove the crucifixes. Apparently they don't care enough to force the matter, they're just happy to cut and run. It was never about seperation of church and state or even about their kid, just cash and a little limelight.
Good_Jorb at 11:52 PM JST - 4th November

Whatever happened to majority rules?

Majority rules has never been absoulte, that why most democracies have some clauses related to tyranny of the majority. Having religulous symbols in a secular school isn't right and as long as they're consistent in banning all religulous symbols, I don't see anything wrong with it. The state shouldn't be seen favouring any one religion. Besides the cross borderlines on idolatry.
hworta269 at 12:05 AM JST - 5th November

Italy's history is intertwined with the roman catholic church. I dont think this should even be an issue its part of their heritage and history. Europeans dont go to the middle east and demand they take allah out of their classrooms but thats a different story.
Good_Jorb at 12:19 AM JST - 5th November

Europeans dont go to the middle east and demand they take allah out of their classrooms but thats a different story.

Soile Lautsi isn't muslim, she is Finnish/Italian who wanted her children to have a secular education, so I fail to see why what Muslims do in thier countries is in any why relevant to this story. Unless of course Muslim countries are some sort of benchmark by which all countries should aspire to be like.
Azrael at 12:40 AM JST - 5th November

This is a travesty of justice. How come an individual is allowed to force centuries of tradition and cultural identity away from Italian children because the symbol she attacks makes -her- uncomfortable? Tolerance is a two-way road. Unfortunately narrow-minded people cannot understand this basic principle of civilized existence and prefer to push their private ego above the cultural legacy of a whole country where millions disagree with her egotism.
bushlover at 05:58 AM JST - 5th November

Gee should Rome just destroy all symbols of Religion because someone doesn't like it? It's up to those who choose no religion to still respect the culture and origin of the place that was there. In North America they could also teach more about Aboriginal cultures as well. I wouldn't have a problem with stuff like that. I could opt for or against it in the curriculum if I had a choice. No skin off my back. If I were in Italy going to school I wouldn't care about what symbols were displayed in class as long as I wasn't being forced to become like that. As I wouldn't expect the class to give me special treatment because I'm different.
usaexpat at 06:44 AM JST - 5th November

Good, the vatican is one more step removed from the government of Italy. A win for all people as Italy claims no national religeon.
Brunobear at 02:49 PM JST - 5th November

I don't know why people put these crosses up in religious buildings for Jesus. If Jesus does return to earth, the last thing he will want to see is another cross!