Religious+Wear

Religious Wear Hi guys, where have you slackards been? Just kidding....;-) Jane

Here's some background info. for us:

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**//__ RELIGIOUS WEAR __ FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION OR PROSELYTIZING?//** =====

BOTTOM LINE: Do we allow teachers to wear religious clothing or symbols because each human being has a right to express themselves freely or do we see this issue leading to proselytizing? Legal History: “…the law did not violate her religious rights and it actually helped to preserve religious neutrality for students.”
 * __1923__** Oregon Legislature enacted a ban on religious garb in the classroom
 * __1965__** Law was revised in 1965 to clarify the meaning.
 * __1983__** First challenge by a Eugene middle school teacher whose religion of Sikhism required her to wear a turban and various adornments.
 * __1986__** Supreme Court rejected the teacher’s appeal stating that:
 * __2009__** Oregon legislature passed the ‘Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act’, which included all public workers except for classroom teachers in public schools.


 * __Proponents__** of the ban feel the religious attire can influence students and convey a possible endorsement by that district.


 * __Opponents__** feel the law is discriminatory and antiquated and that religious wear is simly an expression of identity.

Mark Toledo, the general counsel for the OEA states: “So, there is tension between the freedom of expression and the abuse of that right.” “This is just not a problem, if a teacher does become overt or proselytizing there are ways that we can address that without infringing on people.” ~Article 1 Section 8 of the Oregon Constitution.

Referenced from: ‘Ban on Religious Garb for Oregon Teachers Gets Pulled out of the Closet for a Fresh Debate’, Today’s OEA, February 2010, article by Jon Bell, Website: []

We could create a survey monkey form to have the teachers fill out, polling our own group of teachers? Here's the website. []

I started with one question. Can y'all think of any others? 1. Agree or Disagree: It is appropriate for public school teachers to wear religious symbols jewelry. 2. ? 3. ?