Statement from Schoolgirl Following Purity Ring Ruling
Statement from schoolgirl Lydia Playfoot following the High Court's decision to uphold a ban on her wearing a purity ring by her school, Millais School in West Sussex.
Posted: Monday, July 16, 2007, 15:41 (BST)
I am very disappointed by the decision this morning by the High Court not to allow me to wear my purity ring to school as an expression of my Christian faith not to have sex outside of marriage. I believe that Mr. Justice Supperstone's decision will mean that slowly, over time, people such as school governors, employers, political organisations and others will be allowed to stop Christians from publicly expressing and practising their faith.
Over two years ago, I was concerned at the number of teenagers who were catching sexually transmitted diseases, getting pregnant and/or having abortions.
The Government's Sex Education Programme is not working, and the pressure on young people to 'give in' to sex continues to increase. This is often because of the media's focus on sex and the expectations of others.
As a Christian I do not agree with sex before marriage. I believe I have a right not only to state my Christian views on sex, but also to demonstrate my Christian faith and commitment to God and my future husband not to have sex before marriage, through the wearing of a purity ring.
I, along with 11 other Christian girls at Millais School decided before God that we would make a commitment not to have sex before marriage, and as a sign of that commitment, to wear a simple silver ring from the 'Silver Ring Thing' movement.
The wearing of the ring was to me, a demonstration of my Christian faith and values, which are based on the Bible - which clearly teaches that sex outside of marriage is wrong and therefore not God's best for us.
Despite the fact that Muslims girls at our school wear headscarves, and Sikhs wear Kara bangles, the school refused to allow me to manifest my belief through the wearing of a ring.
The School Governors originally said it was for Health and Safety reasons that purity rings were banned from school, but have offered no evidence to support the view that wearing a ring could physically harm another pupil or staff member.
I still believe the decision by the Governors of the School goes against the Article 9 rights to Freedom of Religion and my right to express my faith in word or deed, in a democratic, Christian-based country.
I shall be consulting my legal team to consider whether to appeal.
Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank my parents, family and friends who have stood by me though all of this, and to the many hundreds of people, both locally in Horsham, across the UK and throughout the world who have sent me letters of support and assured me of their prayers.
I would also like to thank the national press and media for the balanced way in which they have covered this story, and have portrayed it for what it is; another example of the loss of the right of Christians to demonstrate their faith in public.
Lastly, but by no means least, I would like to thank my barrister, Mr Paul Diamond, and Mrs Andrea Minichiello Williams of the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship for all their advice, guidance and support through what is a legal and political minefield for a 16-year-old schoolgirl to walk through. I would also like to thank Paul Eddy, of Paul Eddy PR who has guided me through the maze of working with the national press and media.
To everyone I offer my thanks, and I deeply regret that I could not persuade the Court to consider upholding the religious liberty of Christian people in the United Kingdom.
As a Christian though, I live for another Kingdom, and serve another King, Jesus Christ, and therefore I shall continue to live and speak for what is right and true.
Thank you.
Miss Lydia Playfoot
July 16, 2007
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Wednesday, December 31, 2008, 6:54 (GMT)
I really dislike these rings. They are verging on idolatry. I do not believe they will do anything to keep young people chaste. The only thing that they will do is cause division.
I agree with the judge who ruled
"the act of wearing a ring is not intimately linked to the belief in chastity before marriage".
Steve, Birmingham, U.K.
Added: Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 12:44 (BST)
Re: Martin Bentey's comments.
Encouraging one another to stand firm is very much part of the Christian faith. It seems that Lydia's ring was only worn as a reminder to her and her friends to keep going, not as a display of piety (it's only a ring, not an emblazoned t-shirt after all). I think it would be more likely to attract ridicule than to cause offence.
Re Matt 6.6 quote: I would guess that she would have preferred to keep this matter private.
If there is a �no jewelery� policy at school, it is a fair, if not slightly unpleasant decision, (there is no need for her to wear this ring, or any other symbol), but do you really want to live in a society where the state determines what is and isn't "an integral part of the Christian faith" or for that matter any other faith/belief or even a secular system?
In the wider context ...
It used to be the case that "tolerance" meant being allowed to express your opinion, even if that offended some. Is it now better not to say, do or wear anything that might cause offence? Is that a better definition?
What happens when something you (Martin) want to speak out about is determined by the state to be offensive to certain groups, will you remain silent? I doubt it!
Tony Waghorn, Sevenoaks
Added: Monday, July 23, 2007, 12:19 (BST)
What is the Western world teaching us this time? They brought religion to Africa and now that Africans have embraced it and are teaching the virtues of God and morality to its younger ones, the West is receeding from morals and religion. May be, Africa should go and evangelise them. Let her wear the purity ring, please.
Richard Odu, Owerri Nigeira
Added: Sunday, July 22, 2007, 16:56 (BST)
Well, Lydia, were you standing up for the purity ring because your family deals in them?
If purity is so important to you personally, why don't you practice it instead of preaching it?
Alkal, Arlington, Tx
Added: Thursday, July 19, 2007, 11:27 (BST)
Have your say...something like:
Leon Nettley
Horror!!
So shall we stop kids wearing anti-bulling wrist bands or other artifacts that tell others of their beliefs. I think it is sick for a school that does not support abstinence from underage sex; you are weak and a shame to this society!
all send your views in to the email of the school to be heard that this is infact a christian country and when we mobilise we are like the stars of heaven:
admin@millais.w-sussex.sch.uk
Headteacher - Leon Nettley
stephen noble, cambridge
Added: Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 11:21 (BST)
Well done, you have stood up for Jesus and your Christian beliefs in an increasingly 'post- Christian', hedonistic, wishy- washy, society that seems to value principles of those of other faiths, (or of no faith at all), and not those that Britain used to stand for. There seem to be many people all over the world who are following your stand, and agreeing with what you have done. Blessings in Jesus's Name
Philip Treagus, Reedy Creek Queensland Australia
Added: Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 11:05 (BST)
I had reed it on 'metro' news paper today, so i seek the new. My country and U.K has a long history with people going and coming. But i'm christian to, and i kwow that your divorce rates are so high as the united states(e.e.u.u.) so i avoid to meet deep (for start any relationship) any christian girl that come from there.
This morning i found it, and it was one huge surprise. Its an EXAMPLE for our girls!, and my BEST congratulations. What happend we have to hide us, and they can do anything in from of us?. I'm not shy of my way of live, His Way. Becouse Its the best, by far. Keep it, and carry on.
Daniel, Madrid, Spain
Added: Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 8:32 (BST)
Good on yer, Lydia! Persuade the girls of other religions - the Muslims and the Sikhs - to wear a purity ring too - not to conform to Christianity, but to make a statement that all major faiths worldwide uphold the values of sexual purity! What is wrong with the UK these days? They spend vast amounts of time, money and expertise persuading everyone to have 'safe sex' - then the minute somebody agrees, they turn on her!
Go on upholding Kingdom values and may the Lord whom you serve bless you.
Gill Kimber, Alba Iulia, Romania
Added: Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 1:50 (BST)
Matthew 6.6.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
The ring is an outward statement of something that should be between you and your God. You are not leading by example but attempts at self righteous coercion. Take your false Christianity and your Hypocrisy and take some theology classes young lady and keep out of the courtroom protesting your virtue when you're arrogance and quest for public acknowledgment shows only a desire for attention from man not God. Hypocrite, and rightly punished as such.
Martin Bentey, Bristol England
Added: Monday, July 16, 2007, 22:00 (BST)
This is amazing. I had not heard of this story until now. I am surprised really that Miss Playfoot is not allowed to wear a ring. A simple, small object is somehow offensive to whom? Still, I support her case. This upsets me to see another case of Christians being singled out in a "Free Faith" nation. God be with those in this struggle.
Dawn , Illinois, United States
Added: Monday, July 16, 2007, 22:00 (BST)
GOD BLESS this young lady!! We need more of our young people making such a bold statement for Christ!! If we have gay clubs in our high school why can't these students wear these symbols??? Us adults could take a lesson from this young lady, we also need to take a stand for Jesus, we've even let the gay community take a promise from God and use it as their symbol!!
Yvette Ahumada, Gilroy, USA
Added: Monday, July 16, 2007, 18:06 (BST)
Sirs,
This result was to be expected as this girl is a Christian and English and a girl who holds the institution of marriage as sacred.
These views are wholly opposed to those of the New Righteousness of the New World Order.
Charles Crosby, Bournemouth UK
