Raymond Hosier, a 13 year old middle shool student at Oneida Middle School in New York has been reinstated after his mother filed a federal lawsuit over what she said is a violation of her son's civil rights. The school claims the beads are not allowed, because they could be considered gang-related.

While it's exceptionally stupid policy on the part of the school distrit to ban any religous symbol as gang paraphenelia, it is likely something isn't as it appears.  Despite Hollywood depictions (rosaries have been worn by celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Dakota Fanning and soccer star David Beckham), wearing the rosary in a way that is is publically visible is deeply offensive to most Catholics. The rosary is not considered jewlery, and is viewed as a sacred aid for prayer (Catholics use it to keep count and sequence of the prayers that make up the rosary) and wearing in a way that would be a public display would be contrary to Christ's admonishment not to pray to be seen my men (Matthew 6:5).