rules are rules...the school has a uniform policy, if you can't abide by it you should probably enroll in a school that doesn't have any uniform requirements. next thing you know we'll have medical students refusing to bare their arms to scrub for surgery. oh, wait......

"Almost" and "any" are two different words.

He's a 12 year old going to college (unless college means something different in Australia). Maybe his parents should find a school that will fit in with their beliefs in order to help their son fit in.

They don't want their pictures on their drivers licenses, they don't want to scrub their arms for surgery, the don't want to conform at all. I'm all for tolerance, but if you went on vacation or to live in their country, do you think they would tolerate you GF walking around in a bikini? I think not. Until then, stay home and leave our rules alone.

Um - I think you're confusing Sikhs with Muslims.

Intolerance is a sinister force. What on earth is the problem with his wearing his religion's customary "hat?" Forcing compliance with arbitrary rules smacks of Fascism.

It's not just a custom, people. Sikhs HAVE to wear a turban. It's like the Prime Directive of Sikhism.

Tough! You go to a country where it's a 'Prime Directive' to do something else then you do it or you don't go!

So you expect your religious freedoms and freedoms of expression to be upheld, but whenever someone holds a belief or custom that is different from those of your own, the law doesn't apply?

Statements like this display an ignorance and intolerance that is shameful. You should thank whatever God it is that you are completely free pray to (or if you don't believe in one at all, then don't because that is also your prerogative) that you don't live in a country that would cut your tongue out for speaking your mind.

The road to all forms of tyranny and oppression are paved with the stones of ignorance. If you want to "conform", be my guest. Just don't push it on me.

I'm constantly surprised by the level of xenophobia that goes on here at Plime.

Let me ask you this, if the kid was a Jew and the school wasn't allowing him to wear a yamaka, would you still think the school was justified? What about a cross around his neck?

Our nation changed the uniform of our beloved Royal Canadian Mounted Police to allow Sikh members to wear turbans. I'm sure a school could do the same!

My city had a bit of an uproar a few years ago when a group of Sikhs argued that young men should always be allowed to carry a traditional dagger. This wouldn't have been an issue if the large public high schools hadn't all recently installed metal detectors at the doors due to a string of violent fights/attacks and the usual. I supported the ban of the daggers (and all weapons) from the schools, because it compromised the safety of the other students. I'd like to point out that the giant public school next to my tiny Catholic one had a mob of Sikh students who loved to fight.

A person wearing a turban does not compromise anyone else's safety, so I don't see why anyone shouldn't be allowed to wear it.

I hear that pastafarians need to wear a noodle on their face. Also that this noodle needs to be soaked in gasoline before any flight. Why is the US so intolerant of their religious freedoms?! WHY?!

Maybe because they are a possible danger.

If the TSA wants to ask me to remove my headgear before a flight, I have a choice. I can fly or I can not fly. My options do not include "Suing the government to ensure that MY personal beliefs can override their safety mandates so that I can fly."

As for the college, same deal. You have a choice, go to THAT college or go to some other college. They didn't say you weren't allowed to come, they simply asked that you abide by the rules that they've upheld for a number of years and that they refuse to bend just because of you.

This college has taught this kid a lesson before he even set foot in the door. Convictions come at a price. Refuse to go out drinking with the boss after work because you don't drink? You may not go as far in work, but if religeous convictions were easy, everyone could do them.

I have respect for those who stick to theif beliefs even after personal tragedy or an 'easy way out' comes. I hope he attends another college. But I have just as much DIS-respect for those who try to force their personal belief systems into the rules in force and claim that they are exempt.

I only have this to add: If it doesn't create a direct security/health risk, people should where whatever they want, especially in public places (like schools).

I was actually referring to any foreigner who wants to go to another country and make the natives change THEIR ways. The two examples I used were just the ones that stuck out in my head.

I respectfully disagree. They are ELECTING to send their children to this school. And where does this end? If I move to England, do I petition to have them drive on the RIGHT side of the road. This is neither tyranny nor oppression. These people are free not to enroll in that school. My kids attend private school and cannot wear makeup(girls) or wear hair that goes below their collar(boys) We (they) knew that going in. The don't like it, but they don't cry about it either. I realize this is different, since it's a religion issue, but they still have a choice.

The airport issue I am a little more sensitive to. And for the record, I for one do NOT expect to walk into a country that practices religion X and be free to practice my beliefs regardless of their rules.

Yes i would think the school was justified. A cross can be hidden by clothing though, I would also be fine with stars of david etc.


If he wants to wear a bishop hat though, that might be ok on the grounds it's awesome.

A few of you are screaming "intolerance" at this whole issue.

Australia is one of THE most tolerant nations on the planet. Yes, we have had our moments of which i am not proud (The Cronulla riots), BUT in general, we are most accepting of all races, religions and creeds.

However, many seem to forget one thing......"Assimilation"

it is all fine and good to be free to follow your beliefs, but this should not be at the expense of our (or ANY) nations local laws.

If I choose to live/work in say, Saudi Arabia, I am not free to follow my beliefs, Indeed, I am not even allowed to have a Bible (or any other religious material),these are confiscated upon arrival And if I am caught with any religious material other than Islams Quran/Koran OR caught preaching any other religion, i will face prison or corporal punishment.

regardless of what my wife likes wearing, she HAS to wear an Abaya.................its law.

In India it is illegal to display affection in public, including holding hands.

If i visit Iran during ramadam, I am forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset.

The list goes on.

Not only for visiting, but also living.

All countries take in refugees. (usually political asylum seekers or those that are escaping the tyranny of an oppresive Government)These people should be assimilating with the general population, NOT creating their own little enclaves and ghettos where they discourage those that are not the same. (YES it does happen, dont to so ingnorant/narrowminded or naive to think that it doesn't)

I'm sick and tired if being called a racist, being accused of xenophobia, JUST for defending my own beliefs and expressing an opinion. I tired of being called intolerant whenever i express my displeasure at someones actions.

If i call someone an idiot for breaking th law, i'm instantly called a racist because people assume that i am basiing my opinion on the colour of the criminal skin, or their religion. NO NO NO!! I am basing my opinion the the fact that they broke the friggin law.

Obeying the law IS NOT conforming.

I understand your point. I agree that the school has the right to designate a dress code, and if you are unable to abide by that dress code, you probably should choose not to attend. That is not to say that I agree with the school's choice to uphold such a code, only that I acknowledge that the school has that right.

I guess my point was directed more at the comment that I quoted than the article itself. The type of xenophobia and intolerance which was expressed in that comment is concerning to me. In nations such as Australia that uphold the principles of democracy and fundamental civil rights, there are no "prime directives" other than those that prevent citizens from infringing on the fundamental civil rights of other citizens.

In this case, Sikhs, as well as Muslims, Hindus, atheists, Pastafarians, Hare Krishnas, ad naseum, have the right to express themselves and their religious beliefs however they see fit, provided that expression does not threaten the rights of others. I see no evidence that a Sikh choosing to adhere to the basic tenets of his/her religion causes anyone any harm in any way.

So why the rabid xenophobia? Why the call to conform where no conformity is necessary? Certainly our "western" culture operates in a particular way, but that culture has been defined by the myriad different cultures that have poured into it over time. I just don't understand why we cannot respect, if not embrace these differences. If nothing else, they give us cause to be thankful for the freedoms and rights that we enjoy as citizens of this part of the world.

/rant