NY Student Back at School after Suspension for Wearing Rosary

June 25, 2010

I've been thinking about a student who suffered serious discrimination for his Christian faith earlier this month. It would be funny if it wasn't so outrageous, but a Schenectady, NY student was allowed back to school after being suspended for wearing what school officials referred to as gang-associated: a rosary. It took a federal judge to reinstate the students rights--a step that wasn't necessary, if only the school administrators had used their brains. As a soon-to-be husband and, God willing, a father, the idea of my son being discriminated against for being a practicing Christian disturbs me, even though I wouldn't permit him wearing a rosary (it's not a kosher Catholic practice).

Raymond Hosier suffered a two-day suspension for wearing rosary beads that gave him comfort and reminded him of his brother who died in a car accident and his uncle who died shortly thereafter of brain cancer.

The purple rosary he wore at the time of suspension was once wrapped in his brother's hand as he laid dying in an intensive-care unit. The school district's justification for suspending the student's 1st Amendment right was that the beads might be perceived as gang related.

     The school has a policy in which students may not wear clothing that would "denote, represent or be deemed to be gang-related, including, but not limited to bandannas, colors, flags or beads." Karen Carona, spokesman for the school district defends the policy for safety's sake, since the district has gang problems in their schools.

     Maxine Brisport, School Board President, said, "I'm aware of the religious reason and symbolic reason, I sympathize and empathize with why he's wearing them," yet she refuses to make an exception to the policy even after it was verified that Hosier's beads were worn with religious intent.

The absurdity of this suspension goes without saying, but what is equally upsetting is that there are a few supporters. WCBS TV is one of the local NY stations that broke this story. Their Facebook Fan page has been filled with objections to the school's decision but a few people find it acceptable.

One fan writes, "sorry but if there really is a gang affiliation with wearing the roasary [sic] then I am on their side - if he needs it for comfort then he should put it inside his backpack and wear a cross."

Another writes, "...did anyone read the rules of this school? I read my daughter's school rules for next year and jewelry is prohibited. I am sure this is a public school and not a Catholic school - there is always private schools if wearing the Rosary Beads are important to him to wear."

The second comment makes two points that resonate in much of American, secularist culture. This person first identifies that if the school bans all religious expression, then the suspension is valid.

The problem here is a long standing question of constitutionality. Should a crèche be allowed in front of a courthouse during the Christmas season? Should government employees be allowed to say "Merry Christmas" to their patrons? Do these types of things equate to a government endorsement or establishment of a particular religion?

Removing all religious symbolism does not solve the problem of where the government should draw the line in determining what endorsement or establishment of religion is--in fact, it perverts a proper constitutional understanding of the 1st Amendment.

Completely removing religion from the public square is what the Framers of the Constitution wanted to avoid when they wrote in the Constitution that Congress may not prohibit the free exercise of religion, as well as establish one.

Secondly, this commenter believes that going to a private school is the only way to properly allow a student to express their religious observance. Nobody should be required to purchase their 1st Amendment rights by participating in purely private institutions. If that were the case, then only the rich would benefit from the Constitution. No more should only rich African Americans be granted civil rights than only a rich religious person be given religious liberty.

The consequences of this flawed belief would mean that a state's Department of Motor Vehicles could require you to remove your hijab, Marian metal, religious habit, or anything else the institution deems religious. I warned of this type of policy in a recent blog I wrote on The Point blog, in which I responded to a non-binding French resolution that restricts facial coverings.

Those supporting the NY school's overturned decision are few and far between. An overwhelming number of people saw this as an unfair and unconstitutional judgment. In a unique moment of Catechesis amidst the Facebook comments of the WCBS Fan Page was this: "The Rosary (if blessed) is NOT a bunch of "beads" or a "necklace", it is a sacrament (sacramental). It is more than and beyond a "symbol". Like a consecrated Host is/was more than "just bread" ( St.Tarsisus died protecting Him).

Society's religious oppression only serves to sanctify the righteous. It will not stop our faith. It will never stop our faith. It will only make us more faithful. The Rosary meant so much to His Holiness Pope John Paul (The Great) as it (means) does to myself and countless other Catholics. If it does (hold meaning) to this boy, there is no backing down, no compromise. Faith will not allow it. You go boy!!!!"

(In fact, the theology behind this person's comment is why rosary's shouldn't be worn anyway--but that doesn't preclude the student's right from wearing it.)

Hosier reported that had has no intent of removing the rosary, and as such, he risked further suspension by the school. His resistance to a violation of religious liberty is reminiscent of the Manhattan Declaration. Ecumenically signed, The Manhattan Declaration acknowledged that sometimes being civilly disobedient is the only way to honor the Lord. They, like Hosier, might suffer consequences for upholding that belief.

Christians should see this student's dedication as an example of what all might suffer by living faithful lives dedicated to Jesus Christ. But we should do so joyfully, because as members of His body, we are comforted with His unending grace and join a long history of faithful servants persecuted in the name of righteousness.

By Billy Atwell

Billy Atwell is a contributor to Catholic Online <http://www.catholic.org/> and BreakPoint <http://www.breakpoint.org/bp-home> , and is a blogger for The Point <http://thepoint.breakpoint.org/tp-home> . From the perspective of a two-time cancer survivor he encourages those afflicted with pain and struggling with faith. You can find all of his writings at For the Greater Glory <http://www.billyatwell.org/> .

Comments 9

Esmeralda 25 Jun
You should be aware that, at least in the City of Chicago, latino gangs use the rosary as a symbol to "represent" for the gang. I am a committed Catholic and pray the rosary. I have asked my girls to remove the rosary as a necklace (which is what these kids do) and put use for the purpose for which it was intended: prayer. This is not the same as a Dominican Friar wearing it on his chastity belt. I don't know the details of the NY school, but I can tell you what happens in Chicago.

A rosary in your pocket, or a rosary ring, are never asked to be removed (I wear one). I'd be a little judicious as assuming discrimination here.
Tara 25 Jun
Just one question: I don't understand why you are saying that Catholics should not wear the rosary. Could you clarify? I mean, there is rosary jewelry all over the place, a new trend these days is rosary bracelets (one decade of the rosary clasped by a cross) and a lot of my friends who are Catholics are wearing them. In fact, I recently went on a trip to Italy and bought one in the Vatican, and it is a very nice bracelet. So I am just wondering why it is not good Catholic practice to wear these beautiful beads. Thanks!
Al Bennett 25 Jun
Would you prefer to be morally disobedient to serve society while dishonoring God, or be civilly disobedient if that's what it takes honor the Lord?
We can't have it both ways.
Paula 25 Jun
"I am sure this is a public school and not a Catholic school - there is always private schools if wearing the Rosary Beads are important to him to wear."

- There ARE always private schools if you don't want your kid writing like this idiot.
Billy Atwell 28 Jun
Tara,
The rosary is not jewelry. That's the biggest misunderstanding about its purpose and it's intended use. The rosary is a sacramental. It is a prayer tool, not something to be worn as if it is equal to jewelry. If the rosary was worn because that was the most convenient way to carry it, or because there was no other option at the time, I would understand--but even in those circumstances it does not need to be worn outside of clothing.

Hosier did not have bad intent by wearing the rosary. Clearly it served a different purpose to him than as a tool for prayer. But its important to understand what the rosary is, rather than what it has become.

The point of this blog was not about whether or not he should be wearing a rosary. The point is that we have a right to wear religious articles wherever and whenever we want. There is nothing threatening about a rosary and the school grossly overstepped their bounds on this. The problem the principle should be trying to address is the gang problem, not the rosary problem (this gets to Esmeralda's comment).

Hosier is endowed with a beautiful gift--religious freedom and the expression of it--by God, not government.
Sally 28 Jun
As a teacher in a small central PA city, I can also attest to the fact that rosary beads are used for gang identification. As a reader of the comments to the Manhattan Declaration Facebook site, I can also attest to many people on that site as well that misunderstand issues or might misrepresent solutions - using anecdotal quotes does not adequately make a point or prove a point.

Of course most people would have the best interests of this young man at heart. It's a sad, sad situation to lose a brother. However, the controversy is not over religion, but over rules that must be applied consistently to diverse student bodies to protect students and the learning environment. I really don't know why a compromise could not be reached to allow this young man to keep the rosary on his person, but out of sight during school hours. Can you even begin to imagine the devastating consequences if gang violence did harm this young man because his rosary was showing. Then wouldn't this be a very different conversation?

I remember when my great-aunt gave me a rosary as a young girl. My first instinct was to place it around my neck, and she admonished me firmly never to do that. I don't know what the "official" rules are - perhaps someone will clearly explain it. But it still boils down to a safety issue, not a religious fight. Students may wear crucifixes, crosses, a Star of David, etc. If you want your fight for religious liberty to have credence, then I would suggest more care in avoiding the non-issues.
Sally 28 Jun
I forgot my last question in my other comment... Al, what makes you believe that there are only two choices here? Are you posing society as the antithesis of anything moral and good? I think not.
sally 01 Jul
since I sent 2 comments a number of days ago which are not yet posted, I am assuming that they were not "approved." If that is the case, I am quite disappointed. My comments were respectful and factual, even though they challenged the thinking in this blog post. Are you against informed dialogue?
Tessie Mora 30 Jul
Please continue to fight for those who believe in GOD. Please continue to post the hidden agenda of those who would like to make this world godless and influence the youth of today. The world needs GOD and the more they try to take away the rights of people to worship a Mighty God, the more this world would be chaotic. GOD created this world and no amount of big bang could have turned a beautiful world as complex and as complicated as ours. Only an intelligent GOD could have done everything. So there.