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'Purity' ring case in High Court 'Purity' ring case in High Court
(10 minutes later)
A 16-year-old girl is due in the High Court to accuse her school of discriminating against Christians by banning the wearing of "purity rings".A 16-year-old girl is due in the High Court to accuse her school of discriminating against Christians by banning the wearing of "purity rings".
Lydia Playfoot was told by Millais School in Horsham, West Sussex, to remove her ring, which symbolises chastity, or face expulsion.Lydia Playfoot was told by Millais School in Horsham, West Sussex, to remove her ring, which symbolises chastity, or face expulsion.
She says Sikh and Muslim pupils can wear bangles and headscarves in class.She says Sikh and Muslim pupils can wear bangles and headscarves in class.
The school denies breaching her human rights, insisting the ring is not an essential part of the Christian faith.The school denies breaching her human rights, insisting the ring is not an essential part of the Christian faith.
BBC News religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggott said a group of girls at the school were wearing the rings as part of a movement called the "Silver Ring Thing".BBC News religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggott said a group of girls at the school were wearing the rings as part of a movement called the "Silver Ring Thing".
Originating in America, it promotes abstinence among young people.Originating in America, it promotes abstinence among young people.
Mr Piggott said it was now spreading to the UK as part of a wider protest by traditionalist Christians against what they see as the secularisation of society.Mr Piggott said it was now spreading to the UK as part of a wider protest by traditionalist Christians against what they see as the secularisation of society.
'Sexually pure''Sexually pure'
The rings are inscribed with a reference to the biblical verse Thess 4:3-4, which translates as: "God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honour." The rings are inscribed with a reference to the biblical verse I Thess 4:3-4, which translates as: "God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honour."
Miss Playfoot's school said her ring broke uniform rules and ordered her to remove it.Miss Playfoot's school said her ring broke uniform rules and ordered her to remove it.
When she refused, she was taken out of lessons and made to study on her own.When she refused, she was taken out of lessons and made to study on her own.
She told BBC Breakfast: "In the Bible it says you should remain sexually pure and I think this is a way I want to express my faith."She told BBC Breakfast: "In the Bible it says you should remain sexually pure and I think this is a way I want to express my faith."
HAVE YOUR SAY All religious symbols should be kept out of the classroom Chris Gray, Trelawnyd Send us your comments Ms Playfoot will claim her right to be able to express her religious beliefs, under Article Nine of the Human Rights Act, has been breached. HAVE YOUR SAY All religious symbols should be kept out of the classroom Chris Gray, Trelawnyd Send us your comments Miss Playfoot will claim her right to be able to express her religious beliefs, under Article Nine of the Human Rights Act, has been breached.
The school will insist that it is not operating a discriminatory policy because allowances made for Sikhs and Muslims only occur for items integral to their religious beliefs.The school will insist that it is not operating a discriminatory policy because allowances made for Sikhs and Muslims only occur for items integral to their religious beliefs.
It argues that a Christian pupil would be allowed to wear a crucifix.It argues that a Christian pupil would be allowed to wear a crucifix.
'Bigger issue''Bigger issue'
Miss Playfoot completed her GCSEs last week and has now left the school.Miss Playfoot completed her GCSEs last week and has now left the school.
But her father Phil, who is an evangelical minister, said she still wanted to take the case because of its wider significance for all Christians.But her father Phil, who is an evangelical minister, said she still wanted to take the case because of its wider significance for all Christians.
"I think there's something bigger at stake here," he said."I think there's something bigger at stake here," he said.
Mr Piggott said there was considerable financial backing for the traditionalist movement from churches in the UK.Mr Piggott said there was considerable financial backing for the traditionalist movement from churches in the UK.
Friends and individual donors are thought to be helping to fund Miss Playfoot's court case.Friends and individual donors are thought to be helping to fund Miss Playfoot's court case.
She has also received messages of support from politicians, including former Conservative party chairman Lord Tebbit and Tory MP Ann Widdecombe.She has also received messages of support from politicians, including former Conservative party chairman Lord Tebbit and Tory MP Ann Widdecombe.
And she has the backing of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship which represents 2,000 Christian lawyers across the UK.And she has the backing of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship which represents 2,000 Christian lawyers across the UK.