British Christian Loses Appeal to Wear Chastity Ring

Back in May, I discussed how British teen Lydia Playfoot was banned from wearing a chastity ring to school, even though the school allows students of non-Christian faiths to wear religious adornments. She challenged the ban in court on the grounds of religious discrimination. Unfortunately, Deputy High Court Judge Michael Supperstone ruled against her, saying that the purity ring was "not an integral part of the Christian faith".

I agree that a chastity ring is not a required religious adornment, but it is quite clearly an expression of Lydia's Christian faith. It's got a Bible reference engraved upon it (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4) and it's a symbol of her pledge to live by Biblical teaching against premarital sex. How is banning her from wearing it NOT interfering with her freedom of worship, something protected by the European Convention on Human Rights?

After the judge ruled against her, Lydia said:

“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 marriage. I believe that the judge’s decision will mean that slowly, over time, people such as school governors, employers, political organizations and others will be allowed to stop Christians from publicly expressing and practicing their faith."

She is considering an appeal of the judge's decision. I hope she does, and I pray that the appeal will be successful!