"The European Court of Human Rights ruled today that Italian schools should remove crucifixes from classrooms, sparking uproar in Italy, where such icons are embedded in the national psyche."

Many Italians are none too happy, but religious icons mandated by the State to hang in every public school room just isn't acceptable.

Arguments that this is tradition and not religion are ridiculous. Our own Supreme Court wisely sees no difference.

People feel their identity slipping away. I understand that, but if you want to be part of the big wide world, accept foreign workers and the advantages of the wider European market, some customs are going to have to be shed.

I remember my high school had bible readings every morning. I had to admit, it bothered me. I even had a vice-principle take me to ask for not believing in the Christian God (25 years ago). It really does make a person feel inferior to be surrounded by another's religion, while in a space which is supposed to be all-inclusive.