Teen in High Court battle over purity ring

A 16-year-old girl who has accused her school of discriminating against Christians by not allowing her to wear a silver chastity ring is taking her case to the High Court.

Lydia Playfoot wanted to wear the ring, part of the US Christian movement the 'Silver Ring Thing', as a way of showing her commitment to remain a virgin until she got married.

The ring is a small band inscribed with a verse from 1 Thessalonians 4: 3 - 4: "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."

However, Millais School, a non-denominational secondary school in Horsham in West Sussex, told her to remove the ring because it broke the school uniform regulations on jewellery.

Miss Playfoot is arguing that the school's stance on the issue is in breach of Article 9 of the Human Rights Act, which protects an individual's right to practice their religion or beliefs.

She said that Sikh and Muslim pupils are allowed to wear headscarves, trousers and kara bracelets because of their religion.

However, Millais School has argued that Miss Playfoot's human rights are not being breached because the ring is not an integral part of the Christian faith.

Friends and individuals are thought to be funding Miss Playfoot's court case. The case is also receiving backing from traditionalist Christians and from a number of politicians, including former Conservative party chairman Lord Tebbit and Tory MP Ann Widdecombe.

(KMcA)