"JURUPA VALLEY: School board to discuss Sikhs’ ceremonial kirpans"

[jody]

To orthodox Sikhs throughout the world, the ceremonial kirpan is more than just a symbol. It is one of five sacred articles of faith that define the essence of the estimated 27 million Sikhs worldwide and must be worn at all times by baptized Sikhs.

In this context, Jurupa Unified School District officials have given permission for at least three Sikh students to wear a kirpan to school as long as the dagger-like articles are soldered or sewn into the sheath so they cannot be used.

“This is an issue of religious freedom and of faith,” said Mary Burns, the district’s longest-serving school board member. “Who am I to deny what is an article of faith of a 600-year-old religion?”

The kirpan is useful as an arm for self-defense regardless of its religious significance.

If the school board approves the kirpan, why not other arms such as a handgun?

[petronius]

1. If it's soldered or sewn into the sheath, then it seems to become much less of a weapon

and much more of the merely ceremonial. If your religion required you to carry a handgun, then I suppose the equivalent would be one with the barrel filled in (like in the theatre department), or glued into the holster...

[JoeyT]

2. Because using a handgun as a weapon

isn't against anyone's religion. Using a kirpan as a weapon is forbidden, and many Sikhs consider it an insult when people imply they'd use it as a weapon.

[PavePusher]

4. "Using a kirpan as a weapon is forbidden..."

This may not be accurate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirpan

The kirpan has both a physical function, as a defensive weapon, as well as a symbolic function.

[SecularMotion]

3. Is your handgun an article of faith?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. There is a sect of Church of the FSM that considers them sacred objects that should be with you at

all times in case they run into aggressive non believers. However due to religious bigotry, the FSM is not accorded the same respect a xtianity and islam.

[gejohnston]

6. my sect of neo druids

yes we, OK I, do. I just started it, but give me a few years to build up a following.

[PavePusher]

8. OMG, a Cult!!1!11!!!

You'll be pilloried for that around here, you know.

Oh wait, you aren't related to xtians... never mind.

[jbgood1977]

7. The term Beecher's Bible comes to mind. eom

[slackmaster]

9. If you mean my 1911, you're damn straight it's an article of faith

All Hail.

[4th law of robotics]

10. The rules should be applied equally to everyone

religion doesn't trump that.