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Oregon Senate Bill 786, which effectively bans Muslim women who wear a headscarf from teaching in public schools, may soon be law in Oregon, needing only Governor Ted Kulongoski’s signature.
The operable language states:
No teacher in any public school shall wear any religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher. A school district, education service district or public charter school does not commit an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A by reason of prohibiting a teacher from wearing religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher.
Ironically, the proposed legislation is entitled the Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act.
An employer will violate the proposed law if:
(1) The employer does not allow an employee to use vacation leave, or other leave available to the employee, for the purpose of allowing the employee to engage in the religious observance or practices of the employee; and
(2) The employer imposes an occupational requirement that restricts the ability of an employee to wear religious clothing, to take time off for a holy day or to take time off to participate in a religious observance or practice. (emphasis supplied)
So it appears that theoretically all Oregon employees, with the notable exclusion of public school teachers, will be guaranteed the right to wear a headscarf. I’m trying to figure out how this exclusion makes any sense.
Will a student seeing her Spanish teacher wearing a headscarf suddenly feel the urge to convert? I highly doubt it. I know a hijab-wearing Muslim Spanish teacher. She never mentioned that any of her students converted.
Will a student realize that her Spanish teacher is Muslim? Maybe, but so what? Religious affiliation is not a contagious disease that needs to be masked.
Everyone’s choice of dress sends a message—isn’t that point? The whole fashion industry would crumble if that were not so. Just a hairstyle sends a message. Perhaps the bill should require all public school teachers in Oregon to wear uniforms and the same wig. Or maybe it is just the religious message that offends bill sponsors.
If I were so inclined, I might look up the legislative history or google to determine the alleged reasons behind the public school exclusion—but I’m not. Nothing could justify this absurd bill that prevents Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and others from adhering to the mandatory requirements of their religion if they want to teach in a public school.
While the Sikh community has been actively protesting this proposed legislation, other religious communities enthusiastically support it. CAIR also condemns SB 786 and in Action Alert #582, asks people to express their concern to Governor Kulongoski and other state officials.
See update to this article: Oregon already bans religious attire in public schools: SB 786 Update
See earlier article on France's attempt to ban burqas: France may ban topless beaches--just kidding.
Comments
This protest ignores the fact that if SB 786 is vetoed, employers, including public schools, will be able to continue to prohibit religious garb in the workplace.
Oregon has an existing law on its books that prohibiting all teachers from wearing any religious garb. The current statute reads:
ORS 342.650 Wearing of religious dress prohibited. No teacher in any public school shall wear any religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher. [Amended by 1965 c.100 §387])
SB 786 leaves this existing provision alone yet provides religious people with the ability to wear religious garb in other workplaces that unreasonably prohibit religious garb. Employers can make a determination that such dress may violate occupational safety standards however it will expand rights for those who are often discriminated against due to their religious garb.
SB 786 is an expansion of rights not a contraction.
I hope that the law with regard to teachers will change at some point, but SB 786 is a step in the right direction.
(Whoops - read from the bottom up.)
Seriously?
I mean, really?
SubhanAllah
This story made DetentionSlip.org ! Check it out for all the crazy headlines from our schools.
Thanks Michael for the additional background information--it definitely sheds more light on the issue. SB 786 is trying to be consistent with previous law. But instead of amending the old law in SB 786, why not repeal it? Leaving that provision in place seems to contradict the spirit of the Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act.
Dear Hall Monitor, I checked out the website--thanks for the heads up. Lots of good information on it and website has won awards too!
Michael, you are too modest--assuming you are the same Michael Peabody who testified before the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee on this very bill.
For those interested, if you google "Michael Peabody and testimony and SB 786" you will find his testimony on the website of Religious.Liberty.TV.
OSB 786 really is an extension of rights but it LEAVES the ban on teachers in place. That ban is ridiculous and contradictory. The Portland State University MSA gathered with other students today to inform the public about ban on teachers religious garb.
France has ban on teachers religious garb and our President spoke about hijab bans in a recent speech in Egypt.
Thanks for writing about this issue. We're hoping more Oregon newspapers and media pick this information and relate it to the public.
Peace,
erica aisha
opinionateit.blogspot.com
Salaams Erica Aisha,
I heard your MSA was doing something today. Insha'Allaah it will bring publicity to the issue. I posted a second article on SB 786 to reflect what you and Michael told me about the prior law. I was amazed to learn that PA has a similar law.
This is a joke, the title is SB 786? The number which is used by some to mean?
And it came straight after Obama said America doesn't ban Hijab like France.
When will you lot learn?
America hates Islam, France hates Islam, they all hate Islam.
They don't believe in Freedom. Freedom is just a slogan they use to invade other peoples' countries.
Does the term "religious" as in religious garb or religious headwear mean anything to you simple minded, hypocritical, blinder-wearing malcontents? Have you ever heard of separation of church and state which extends also to religous wear in a public school environ. Oh, but of course. This separation only applies to Evangelicals/Protestants and certainly not to the "religion of peace". Say, wasn't there another muslim terrorist bombing today, this time in Jakarta? More proud moments for you, your ilk, and your "peaceful" religion!
No matter how it is legally accomplished I favor the banning of the headscarf by any person in public employment.
I never thought you libtards in Oregoon would do anything right but it seems you are on the right track here. Islam is the enemy of the world. We should kill each and every Muslim in the US. Muslims are slime, and they WILL kill us if we don't kill them first.
This should be a non-issue. Islam is a theology that does not tolerate religous beliefs of others. There should be no question (or Bill, law, etc.) banning the hijab because the hijab should not be worn however, if you hire a muslim you do so at your own risk. They will never be content until US laws are circumvented for Sharia. I do support the Sikhs - they are tolerant of others and accepting of American culture. Don't like the Judeo/Christian culture of America??? Then don't stay here. That includes you, CAIR.
Subhannallah
Just today I heard the Jumma Kutbah (Friday prayer lecture)the khatib (lecturer) said a hadith (saying of the Prophet SAW)that a day will come when it will be so difficult for the believer to hold on to his religion-It will be like trying to hold hot coals with his hand.
"Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act" Couldn't one just argue that the name of the bill was making false claims. It would work if it was cheerios:)
While I'm definitely not a fan of Islam, I can't see how wearing a headscarf hurts anyone. A burka, yes, a headscarf, no.
Several comments suggest that there are many misunderstandings about Islam. There are good books out there on Islam--a relatively short, easy read is Submission, Faith and Beauty: the Religion of Islam which can be purchased among other places at the IslamicBookstore.com. Perhaps, additional reading will not change your opinion but one should be open to learning more--especially when beliefs are so strongly held and others are telling you that your beliefs may be due to incomplete or faulty information.
The quran is a false book. islam is not a religion. It is a political cult. The quran states that all non muslims must be converted,subjagated or made war upon. This is FACT!!! Read it for yourself. Learn the truth of the imperialist islamic societies. They still control the lands they colonised after destroying the existing people. Turkey is a prime example. Malaysya is going backwards and the non muslims there are very much afraid of there future. Wherever the is islam there are bloody borders. And yes I have studied islam since muslims murdered my friend in 1985.
STOP ALL MUSLIM IMMIGRATION NOW!!!!!!
The Jews and Christians will never be real friends with the Muslims unless the Muslims follow their religion and their ways. “NEITHER THE JEWS NOR THE CHRISTIANS SHALL BE PLEASED AND SATISFIED WITH YOU UNTIL YOU FOLLOW THEIR RELIGION” (S:2 A:120) Remember that Religion is not Faith only, but also Way of Life.
The truthfulness of Quran is proven once again.
Oregon’s law banning religious clothing on the job has its roots in the KKK. “The state Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional in 1924 and the U.S. Supreme Court concurred in 1925. The Ku Klux Klan found a strange champion in the Oregon legislature. Kaspar K. Kubli, speaker of the House of Representatives, happened to possess winning initials and became a rallying point for efforts to drive through the Alien Property … Read MoreAct of 1923. The law prohibited Japanese from purchasing or leasing land in Oregon. The legislature also passed a law forbidding wearing of sectarian clothing, namely priestly vestments or nuns’ habits, in classrooms.”
bluebook .state .or .us /culture /history /history24 .htm
(no spaces)
Is human kind going stupid or are people in general not taking their own time to learn about something important as one's religion, history, and culture? I'm highly disappointed in what I read and see these days. It's sickening and the misunderstanding and paranoia will only end in chaos. Don't say you didn't see it coming when your stupidity suffocates those who actually think.
Joe go to your home in Hell, no one wants to hear the crap that you right. Loser!
I'd like to point out that all of Christianity has it's roots in Catholicism. Hence whenever I hear a christian speak about the alleged brutality of all Muslims, I can't help but remember the crusades. And as for atheists and the like, When one representing them points the finger at religion as the primary source for violence I can't help but remember the scores murdered by atheist regimes of the past as well. All cry victim, but none are innocent!
To any human do not believe in Islam religion.
I'll ask you.
Can you say the sweets are sweet without taking one and test the taste?
I'm not ask you to stop fight Islam religion but i want you to think and not be like the (not human). I know that you are all smart that you are the world number one. So what about looking for something like www.islamway.com/SF/quran/ and think without war or anything else. We do like to fight and below the meaning (Not the translation)for a part of the Quran telling you .....
"In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
1. Say : O ye that reject Faith!
2. I worship not that which ye worship,
3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. To you be your Way, and to me mine. "
So everyone have his way and it is not important to be in may side to be save.
Thanks for any non Moslem care us and just talk using justice. The misunderstand comes when someone do not anything and just wanna talk. He have to say wrong.
If you are in the class room and the teacher asked. If you did not read about the topic ever. Do you think that you ever stands up and talk about it. I think no.
This is a little bit ridiculous. I hope it never passed. I feel that religious expressions like this aren't obtrusive or distracting, so the school has no reason to ban them. It's bigotry, plain and simple. I could understand a rule banning proselyting or sharing propoganda. But at the same time, in a lot of history classes there are often discussions of religious beliefs. Where does one draw the line? Should we also ban all Islamic books and other religious texts? (That's rhetorical, and the answer is no, because religion is often key to understanding historical events.) In my high school, as part of a world religions class, we actually read the texts. I found it enlightening. ( http://www.sparkbooks.net )
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