Student Allowed To Bring Religious Knife To School
[su_right_ad]The knife is allowed because it’s part of the Sikh religion.
One of the most prominent traditional elements of the Sikh faith is the carrying of a Kirpan, a sword or dagger.
Several weeks ago, a Sikh family approached Gildo Rey Elementary school and notified the school that their young son would be carrying a Kirpan every day…
A volunteer from a different school, however, expressed considerably less enthusiasm for the idea of a student carrying a knife.
“There’s no way I’d go back until the knife was gone,” said Shelby, who asked that her last name not be used.
“They can’t take that thing into an airport. TSA would be all over it. Why is a school any different?” she added.[su_csky_ad]
D.B. Hirsch is a political activist, news junkie, and retired ad copy writer and spin doctor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
neworleans878 October 23rd, 2014 at 10:09 pm
I don’t believe any student should be allowed to carry a knife in school, no matter what the reason.
Tommy6860 October 23rd, 2014 at 10:21 pm
I wonder, a knife is a knife, so why give the allowance because of some religious significance to the knife? I understand some beliefs are tied to physical objects, but I do not, for the sake of safety, think this should be allowed.
M D Reese October 23rd, 2014 at 11:29 pm
I agree. ISIS is also very tied to knives, for instance.
But seriously, if kids can’t bring plastic knives to cut the banana in their lunch box, how is this OK.
whatthe46 October 23rd, 2014 at 11:45 pm
again. plastic knives and forks are not available from the school either for lunch. students have been suspended or expelled for doing such.
M D Reese October 25th, 2014 at 4:49 pm
Again. I know that. So this should also not be allowed.
Chinese Democracy October 23rd, 2014 at 10:51 pm
HELL no
Kick Frenzy October 23rd, 2014 at 11:07 pm
I’m torn on this one.
My first thought is, I wonder if a dulled or ornamental (like, ornate wire work) version would be exceptable.
That would really be ideal.
Although, it can be as small as a few inches.
But barring that, I can’t say I’d immediately jump to not allowing it.
After reading up on it, it’s more akin to a yarmulke than a dagger.
I can respect that and how it’s a reminder to avoid trappings of duality in their humanity and absolutely not a weapon.
whatthe46 October 23rd, 2014 at 11:21 pm
b.s. if it were a private school, their rules. (although i’d still have a problem as a concerned parent) this is a public school, that i have a problem with. it can be used as a weapon. did they “just” become a part of this religion? schools don’t even allow plastic forks or knives for lunch. a kinder was expelled for a 1″ hello kitty water gun and this is ok?
Kick Frenzy October 24th, 2014 at 2:00 am
No, it has a history that’s (much) longer than our country has existed.
Also, Sikhs have been carrying their Kirpans for years in Washington without any incident.
whatthe46 October 24th, 2014 at 2:12 am
and that makes it ok. i don’t think so. i don’t know, neither do you what goes on in this kids mind. unfortunately children kill, be it with a gun or a knife and we’re suppose to be ok with a kid who could have undiagnosed mental illness? christianity has a history that dates back longer than this country and well.
Spirit of America October 24th, 2014 at 2:13 am
“schools don’t even allow plastic forks or knives for lunch.”
really?
whatthe46 October 24th, 2014 at 2:34 am
no they don’t. they long since switched over to sporks.
greenfloyd October 24th, 2014 at 4:11 am
Groovy… Perhaps we can convince the Sikhs to do likewise.
whatthe46 October 24th, 2014 at 4:19 am
LOL
Candide Thirtythree October 24th, 2014 at 12:08 am
That is why you never make any allowances for people’s stupid religions because if you make an allowance for one, you have to make allowances for every stupid thing under the sun.
whatthe46 October 24th, 2014 at 12:38 am
i wonder if some high schooler could pull this off. my son is 1/2 scot and he wasn’t allowed to wear his kilt for grad, but this kid can wear a knife. in my sons case it may not have been about religion but it is a tradition. besides, he was allowed to wear it in school. go figure.
fahvel October 24th, 2014 at 3:55 am
“stupid” is such an appropriate word and you are soooo right.
tiredoftea October 24th, 2014 at 1:05 am
I’m assuming that this is somewhere in the U.S. and likely not a hotbed of Sikh population. So, good on the school for recognizing the religion without the drama usually associated with christian dominance in communities.
Kara Connor October 24th, 2014 at 1:17 am
More special rights, in addition to the special tax breaks, for religion.
tiredoftea October 24th, 2014 at 2:09 am
Yeah, I have a problem here, too. I’m just trying to find the bright side here.
whatthe46 October 24th, 2014 at 1:45 am
i have no problem recognizing the religion, i have a problem with the knife.
tiredoftea October 24th, 2014 at 2:12 am
One goes with the other. If it were larger, more conspicuous then it might be problematic. I’m looking at the fact that this is progress, of a sort, in religious freedom in our mostly chrisitan and certainly highly intolerant, nation.
whatthe46 October 24th, 2014 at 2:32 am
i understand where you’re coming from, but does it have to be large and noticeable in order for it to be dangerous? nope. and i find any form of a weapon in the hands of a child to be problematic. but that’s just me. school has been in session for a few months now, i find this to be suspect that all of a sudden this is his religion.
tiredoftea October 24th, 2014 at 2:47 am
Yeah, I understand. It’s a tough one to feel right about, but this is where respect for our Constitution meets our duty to follow its wisdom.
greenfloyd October 24th, 2014 at 3:59 am
Not tough at all: No weapons allowed in school!
http://img.opposingviews.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/350×250/featured_image/alts/1014/sikh.jpg
In the hands of a trained warrior the Kirpan is a deadly weapon. In the hands of a child it’s an accident waiting to happen. Our “duty” is to keep the kids safe. This is PC run amok!
Hirightnow October 24th, 2014 at 10:10 am
I’ve seen people stabbed with pencils, so I’m assuming that you’re against those in the hands of our precious youth as well?
greenfloyd October 24th, 2014 at 11:08 pm
What good is a knife when the other kids are packing real heat!? /s
But seriously, I am not against kids having pencils so your assumption would be incorrect.
I guess what really bothers me about this whole thing is public schools carving-out an exception for any group based on their religious dogma, symbolism or fetish.
tracey marie October 24th, 2014 at 10:45 am
not a real knife
greenfloyd October 24th, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Looks real to me!
greenfloyd October 24th, 2014 at 2:51 am
I’m with you. This is America, not India. This is as absurd as letting a child carry a loaded gun because, well you know, “freedom.” It’s not intolerance, it about safety. The kid can wear his Kirpan at home or at church/temple when observing his faith. But not at a public secular multicultural school where weapons of any sort are not allowed.
tracey marie October 24th, 2014 at 10:45 am
lol, so you allowed your bigotry and racism to shine with that post.
greenfloyd October 24th, 2014 at 10:27 pm
I don’t see it so please elaborate… instead of just taking a cheap-shot at someone you don’t know.
tracey marie October 24th, 2014 at 10:44 am
It is not sharp or even a weapon, just a fascimile of a knife.
Kick Frenzy October 24th, 2014 at 1:59 am
It’s in Washington State… so… yup…
chilly1952 October 24th, 2014 at 8:30 am
It’s a knife only by virtue of its shape. It has no sharpened cutting edge.
Larry Schmitt October 25th, 2014 at 3:05 pm
So I guess any NRA member will be allowed to carry his gun to school, because that’s obviously part of their religion.