At Junior High School! Should She be "expelled" for not taking it off?

The item of jewelery owned by represents her intention to stay a virgin until she marries.

But her school has deemed it potentially dangerous and against school rules.

The 12-year-old who is a regular church-goer, was inspired to wear the ring by the American pop group the Jonas Brothers, who have all made pledges of celibacy.

Purity rings are popular in parts of the USA where organisers have persuaded a vast number of teenagers to abstain from sex.

The 12-year-old "Lots of girls sleep around. I want to keep myself pure. Many of my friends want to get one. If people can wear head scarves, why can't I wear a ring?"

"The ideas behind the purity ring are something I believe in. I believe in Jesus and a lot of his teachings. If you wait you know you're with someone who loves you."

She added that she would continue to wear the ring at school until they forcefully remove her. "I will not take it off, I'm going to carry on wearing it."

"I came across the whole purity ring thing after getting into the Jonas Brothers. I loved the music but then discovered what they stood for and it went from there."

She was given the purity ring by her mother Sandra Holden last month.

The 42-year-old said: 'I think she should be able to wear it. It is no different to religious symbols. She wants to save herself for when she's older and doesn't want to waste her innocence. She feels very strongly about this.'

Shewas banned from wearing the ring after a teaching assistant reported it to a teacher who informed the Principal.

Yesterday, the school defended the ban and said: 'The ring would be extremely dangerous in PE, technology or science lessons.'I have told her she can keep the ring in her bag. I'm quite happy for her to have it in school.'

Last year, another schoolgirl age 16, lost an Appeallate Court battle to wear her chastity ring at school.

The judge rejected her claim for equal rights with Muslim pupils allowed to wear head scarves.

Chastity and purity rings originated in the Nineties and became popular as a gift for parents to buy their children.

by NewtonStein at Ministers-Best-Friend