Crosses Banned in Prestigious Methodist School: Is Christian Faith Under Fire?
“My friend’s parents, who are very religious, tried to get answers from the school and were told, ‘It’s not a good look for the school,’”
A troubling development has emerged from the prestigious Methodist Ladies’ College in Melbourne, where students have been asked to remove their cross necklaces—symbols of their Christian faith—because they may be deemed “offensive” to others. This startling move comes from a school with deep roots in Christian heritage, raising profound concerns about the state of religious freedom, even in religious institutions.
Founded in 1882 by the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the Melbourne Ladies’ College was once led by ordained ministers, with Christianity as its guiding principle. Yet, this proud legacy appears to be fading, as a school once steeped in Christian values now finds itself at the center of a growing controversy. In a report by the Herald Sun, one student shared the shocking experience of her friend being asked to remove her cross necklace after a classmate found it offensive.
“My friend’s parents, who are very religious, tried to get answers from the school and were told, ‘It’s not a good look for the school,’” the student reported.
The story has rattled many in the Christian community, as it raises a critical question: How can a school founded on Christian beliefs marginalize the very symbol that represents its faith? This is no isolated incident but part of a worrying trend, where faith is increasingly being silenced in spaces that were once dedicated to its expression.
A War on Christian Symbols?
The news out of Melbourne is particularly alarming because it speaks to a larger issue—one that strikes at the heart of what it means to be a person of faith in today’s world. In a country that prides itself on diversity and inclusion, how is it that Christian symbols are being sidelined as “offensive”? The cross, which represents the foundation of Christian belief—Christ’s sacrifice for humanity—is being reduced to an object of contention in a school that is supposed to be upholding those very principles.
This incident is not only shocking but also deeply concerning for Christian families who place their trust in religious schools to uphold their values. How can these institutions remain true to their faith if they cave to the pressure of appeasing a minority who find offense in the symbol of the cross?
A Concerning Trend in Schools
This controversy comes on the heels of another eye-raising incident in Melbourne, where a separate school allowed a student to “identify as a cat.” The irony is striking—while some schools appear willing to embrace highly unconventional expressions of identity, religious symbols, particularly Christian ones, are being pushed out of view.
The Methodist Ladies’ College charges nearly $39,000 a year for Year 12 students, positioning itself as a premier institution. Yet, this situation calls into question what Christian parents are really paying for. If Christian students can no longer wear a cross, what values is the school truly standing for?
A Clash of Values
While the school has defended itself, stating that it is “deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and diversity,” it raises the question: Where is the respect for the Christian faith? Is inclusion now defined by excluding the core symbols of a faith that built the very foundation of the school?
As Christians, we are called to stand firm in our beliefs, regardless of cultural shifts. The Bible tells us in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” In this case, it appears that young Christians are being persecuted, albeit subtly, for wearing a symbol that reflects their faith.
Is it not alarming that in a so-called Christian school, students must fight for the right to wear a cross? Are we not witnessing a slow erosion of Christian identity in institutions that once proudly carried the torch of faith?
The Bigger Picture: The Church’s Response
This troubling development should prompt Christians everywhere to reflect deeply on the spiritual climate we find ourselves in. The Bible warns of a time when the faithful will be marginalized and pushed to the fringes of society. In 2 Timothy 3:12, we are reminded, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
If this is happening in a Christian school, where will it happen next? This issue is not just about a cross necklace; it’s about the gradual erasure of Christian identity from places that were built to uphold it. If we do not speak out now, what future awaits the next generation of believers?
A Call to Action
Christian parents, church leaders, and communities of faith must not stay silent in the face of such developments. We are called to be the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) and to stand for what is true, even when it is uncomfortable. The removal of the cross necklace at Melbourne Methodist Ladies’ College is a wake-up call for the Church. We must protect our faith, our symbols, and our right to express them freely, especially in institutions that are supposed to safeguard them.
Let us pray for the students affected by this decision, for their families, and for the leadership of Methodist Ladies’ College. May God grant them the wisdom to stand by the values upon which their school was built and the courage to resist the pressures that seek to undermine their Christian heritage.
In times like these, we are reminded that our faith is not always easy, but it is always worth defending. For as Romans 1:16 reminds us: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”
