European court bans crucifixes in Italian schools

Italian schools have been told to remove crucifixes from their classroom walls. The instruction comes from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

A case was brought by Italian national, Soile Lautsi, who complained that there were crucifixes in every classroom at her children’s school in northern Italy. Lautsi said their presence was against her right to give her children a secular education.

This is not the first time someone has tried to remove the crucifixes. In 2003, Italian courts rejected an attempt by a Muslim activist.

The European Court said the crucifixes might be disturbing for children from other religions or atheists. It also awarded Lautsi 5,000 euros in damages.

Italy is deeply attached to it’s Roman Catholic roots, even though it is no longer the state religion. The Vatican says it will study the ruling before commenting.

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tags: Religion, Society