Old Laws Banning Religious Clothing for Teachers Remain In 3 States; Oregon's Gets Scrutiny

September 2, 2009

Author: William McCall

Source: Star-Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/56732577.html?page=1&c=y

A law backed by the Ku Klux Klan nearly a century ago to keep Catholics out of public schools is still on the books in Oregon, one of the last states in the nation to prohibit teachers from wearing religious clothing in classrooms.

Both Pennsylvania and Nebraska have similar laws, which try to balance the constitutional conflict between protecting students from the establishment of religion in schools and the rights of teachers to express their beliefs through their dress.