Teachers should not be banned from wearing religious garb (Editorial)
More stories from Sarah Payne
Should teachers be allowed to wear religious symbols? Our writer says yes.
Imagine there is a law that bans a teacher from wearing a wedding ring in his or her classroom because it presses students to get married.
Ridiculous and unnecessary, right?
Only, there is a similar law currently in place. This law was proposed by the Ku Klux Klan over a century ago, and only two states still make it illegal for teachers to wear religious garb in their classrooms. These two states are Pennsylvania and Nebraska. Pennsylvania’s Public School Code of 1949 law states ‘that no teacher in any public school shall wear in said school or while engaged in the performance of his duty as such teacher any dress, mark, emblem or insignia indicating the fact that such teacher is a member or adherent of any religious order, sect or denomination.’
With only 13% of Pennsylvania’s population claiming atheism, it’s surprising that this law is still in place. Especially since it seems to be unconstitutional by contradicting the Free Exercise Clause, which states, ‘Congress shall make no law … prohibiting the free exercise {of religion}.’
Recently, a complaint was filed against a teacher at East Pennsboro Middle School for wearing a Star of David necklace. The articles I read on the topic held no mention of the teacher actually saying anything about the Star, nor why he wears it. Why simply wearing a religious symbol is considered to be pushing your religion on other people is bizarre and makes little sense to me.
I also find it bizarre that there is a ban on religious garb, yet teachers are allowed to put posters in their classroom advocating other belief systems such as diversity and sexuality. These topics could go against a student’s beliefs, yet it’s important for students to be aware of and be able to discuss controversial topics while in an environment that does not push one belief system over another. If neutrality is trying to be reached within the classroom, teachers should either be banned from all expressions of bias or none of them, which is my preference. To single out an individual topic is a demonstration of partiality itself.
The ban on religious garb seems outdated and narrow-minded. A repeal–or at least a revision–of this 100-year-old law should be in order.
Disclaimer: Articles designated as “Editorial” represent the views and opinions of the author, not the 2014-2015 Periscope staff, CHS Administration, or the CHS student body.
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Sarah Payne is in 10th grade. She works in Periscope as a Perspectives Writer. She reads, writes, and watches movies. Her favorite book is the Hobbit,...
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Gretal Shank • Dec 10, 2017 at 12:14 am
I agree with this article. And praise Jesus!
Julia Vichnevetsky • Feb 3, 2015 at 10:33 am
I agree with what you said. It does not make sense for that teacher to get in trouble just for wearing the Star of David, it’s not like he was talking about his religion to his students. This law especially doesn’t make sense because students are allowed to wear religious “garb.” This law is very old and should be changed. As long as teachers aren’t preaching their religion to their students, they should be allowed to wear religious garb.
Matt Fuller • Jan 20, 2015 at 11:15 pm
I feel like wearing items that support your belief isn’t an issue unless the belief is pushed onto others. If the teacher was simply wearing it then there is no issue, but if the teacher is pushing it onto others, there’s a problem. There seems to be a thin line in what’s acceptable and what isn’t, so it’s hard to tell who’s in the wrong here.
DJ Anderson • Jan 20, 2015 at 9:26 pm
First of all, I would like to respectfully point out that the point made where only 13% of Pennsylvania’s inhabitants claim to be atheists should not affect whether or not a law stands. It is not fair to assume that because only 13% are atheists, the view does not matter and the law should be changed. I do not believe that all religions people are accepting of each other and it is only the atheists who would have a problem, so I feel that the point made about atheism is irrelevant. On the other hand, I think that it is important to teach students that everyone thinks differently and to accept others for who they are. Wearing religious emblems does not constitute forcing a belief system upon students. If you are offended because someone wears the Star of David, you are entitled to your opinion, but I personally will not tolerate such close-minded intolerance. I very much enjoyed this article.
Brandin Dyche • Jan 20, 2015 at 7:47 pm
I believe that teachers should be allowed to wear religious depicting jewelry because by wearing it they are not imposing their beliefs upon the students. It is an expression of themselves and used to even be taught way back when.
Kimberly Nickle • Jan 20, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Teachers should not be restricted as far as wearing religious garb or items. Telling a teacher that they cannot wear certain religious items to school is a suspension of their freedom of religion, which makes it unconstitutional. Students can wear any sort of religious garb and other students are exposed to those references all day. If students are allowed to wear these sorts of clothing, then teachers and all other faculty should be allowed as well.
Breanne Clippinger • Jan 20, 2015 at 10:12 am
As long as teachers do not try to push their beliefs on their students I do not see a problem with them expressing their values through a bracelet or necklace.
[email protected] • Jan 20, 2015 at 10:12 am
Wow, I seem to be the only person commenting who disagrees with the topic stated in the article. What diversity!! Anyway, I don’t really have a problem with the law. I don’t feel very strongly about it either way, but honestly it makes sense to me that an educator should not be associated with a certain belief system, as it can create an unbiased learning environment or affect an individual’s education. It’s different to me than encouraging diversity (something I have rarely heard a sound argument against) or even wearing a wedding ring (as marriage is a legal institution and not a belief system). But hey, do as you please.
Alex Ruf • Jan 20, 2015 at 12:44 am
I agree that teachers should be allowed to wear religious garb-as long as they are not advocating for a specific religion or pressing their beliefs onto students or their coworkers, then I don’t see where the problem is. I love the point you made about the posters that teachers are allowed to hang up in their classroom. Everything can be made into a controversy, so it is best to not ban any expressions of bias. Everyone should be entitled to respectfully show their opinion.
Sarah Ann Jensen • Jan 19, 2015 at 9:01 pm
I really like that the writer compared this topic to similar ideas such as marriage, sexuality, and belief systems. No students have a problem with teachers putting up posters on these topics, and many students have united to stand together on them. However, we still walk around religion, and treat it like something that should not be discussed or mentioned. I find this kind of ridiculous, and I do not come from a very religious family. I do not find the problem with students and teachers expressing themselves by wearing religious garb. I think that religion shapes a lot of people, and it becomes a part of their identity. So, not allowing them to express that is infringing on their rights, and making them suppress a part of themselves. I believe that as long as they are not forcing others to believe what they do, or preaching to their students or classmates, there is no problem. We are also at the point in our lives, where we should be able to make our own decisions and not have a problem with seeing different beliefs and ideas. It would help understand our differences, and help us decide what we believe in. As long as we are able to respect each others individual beliefs, and act mature, there should be no reason why people are not allowed to wear religious garb; it should no alter our opinions of people or influence lesson plans.
Madelynne Staley • Jan 16, 2015 at 10:13 am
I agree with the article. Teachers should be able to openly express their religious beliefs, or lack thereof, just as much as students. I fail to see how wearing a necklace with a religious symbol is pushing a belief on someone. Obviously, if a teacher was promoting/pushing beliefs on students is wrong, but wearing religious clothes, jewelry, etc. should be acceptable for both teachers and students.
Rachel Day • Jan 16, 2015 at 10:07 am
I believe that teachers should be allowed to wear religious things; in fact, I did not know that they are not allowed. I think it is unfair that teachers are allowed to express their opinions for much more controversial things than that.
Marissa Steck • Jan 15, 2015 at 10:16 pm
I really like the opening sentences about the wedding rings because it really emphasizes how ridiculous this restraint is. I wasn’t aware that only Pennsylvania and Nebraska still have laws not allowing teachers to wear religious items. Personally, I think that teachers should be allowed and the laws that are in place are unconstitutional.
Amanda Corrao • Jan 15, 2015 at 2:36 pm
I love this article because this topic bothers me a lot! You made some excellent points on how expressing a religious belief is the same as basically anything if you really think about it. Students are always going to disagree or agree between each other and teachers. Teachers should be able to express their individuality just as much as students do. A teacher having a tattoo isn’t a big deal supposedly, but all doors lock if a teacher is wearing something religious-like. It’s ridiculous. I love the effort you put into this article, I hope somebody reads it and does something about it!
Bry Youtzy • Jan 14, 2015 at 10:49 pm
I personally believe that teachers and administrators should be able to wear religious items, but just not preach to the students at school. Everyone can have a mind of their own without one person shoving it down the throat of others. I think it is interesting to learn about other cultures and religions, so if this were more open in schools, maybe students could have a more cultured mindset.