Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today helped turn back the clock on separation of church and state, reintroducing religion into public school classrooms and setting the stage for proselytizing, all in the politically-correct name of "tolerance".
Even as Belgium bans the burqa and Switzerland suppresses minarets, resistance to religious intrusions into the public sphere seem to be weakening in the United States. It's as though Americans are drifting off just as Europe begins to wake up.
"What's the harm in a hajib," you ask? "Why the terror over a turban? Why do you care about a crucifix?"
Teachers are in a position of authority in a classroom. Teachers wearing "religious garb" are not only confronting students with their religious beliefs -- a matter that is none of the students' concern -- but also opening a door for proselytizing. "Why do you dress like that?" "Oh, it's part of my religion. Let me tell you all about it after class . . ."
Even Kulongoski, who supported this heinous merger of religion and education, recognizes the potential for abuse:
Many school districts, educational service districts and charter schools may interpret and apply this new law differently. Unless there are some clear rules at the outset, there is a potential for inconsistent or even potentially discriminatory application...There needs to be very clear standards and guidelines so that Oregon's schools can implement this law fairly and as uniformly as possible.
Unfortunately, it's clear Kulongoski's concern is for the teachers, not for the well-being of students.
Keep an eye out when this disaster-in-the-making becomes effective (after the end of the 2010-11 school year), watching for the inevitable abuses and attempts to proselytize. Soon, we will have the people teaching our children wearing symbols of various religions. The questions invited will inevitably lead to attempts to convert children from rational thought to one cult or another. One school will not apply the law the way a teacher or other likes. There will be lawsuits. Already-limited funds will be diverted from the education of students to paying off the Wiccan who was "discriminated against" for not being allowed to teach "skyclad".
It's a sad day for Oregon's children.
Comments
On the plus side, full pirate regalia for Pastafarian teachers.
Ted is a freaking moron.
Sad, very very sad.
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