View Full Version : Teachers and Religious Jewelry/Attire
Polly
03-01-2007, 09:13 PM
Would you have a problem (and do something about it) if your child's public school teacher wore religious jewelry/attire? How about these examples:
a. Hindu teacher with a nose piercing and bindi dot
b. Christian with cross
c. Catholic with rosary
d. Jewish teacher with Star of David
e. Muslim teacher with covered head and hijab
f. Wiccan with pentacle necklace
Personally, I think there should be an all or nothing policy. However, since I very much doubt school systems would be able to do this as it is an infringement of personal religious freedom. (Hey-this isn't France!)
Also, I feel it's really interesting to have teachers from all faiths. If my daugter comes home from school with a question about her teacher's religious jewelry/attire, I think it's a great opportunity to iniate a discussion on different faiths.
Polly
Polly
Desirae
03-01-2007, 09:22 PM
I'd have absolutely no problems with that! So long as they aren't forcing their views on the students I see no problem.;)
I would have no problem with any of that...just like I have no problem with the fact that some of Maia's friends wear hijab to school...it's just one more example that everyone is different, and diversity is nothing to be afraid of.
Christine
03-01-2007, 09:41 PM
I'm not the least bit concerned about my children being exposed to people of different faiths - it happens every day anyway. I'd only be concerned if they were being taught that those faiths were the truth in an educational setting. I don't see that as being a conflict when you're talking about personal expression through clothing and jewelry.
I'm not the least bit concerned about my children being exposed to people of different faiths - it happens every day anyway. I'd only be concerned if they were being taught that those faiths were the truth in an educational setting. I don't see that as being a conflict when you're talking about personal expression through clothing and jewelry.
yep- entirely that. As long as what they were is not effecting the knowledge they impart onto my children they can wear what they want because in a multifaith society my children will be exposed to all religious symbols eventually and I see nothing wrong with them being aware of what they are because it's what we're teaching at home that directs them to their own personal faith.
I do agree that it should be all or nothing. I don't think, for example, that crosses should be allowed by pentacles should be banned. However, schools don't have any basis for banning any teacher from wearing religious jewelry. That form of expression is fully legally acceptable in the classroom, and I think it should be. I will sometimes wear a pendant I have with the Episcopal Peace Fellowship symbol (a cross with a peace sign) while I teach, and I'm certainly not pushing any beliefs on my students.
Clothing I think depends. I've seen t-shirts that have religious messages on them that I would consider inappropriate in a public school classroom, because they make claims that the religion in question is true. I think students should be free to wear such shirts, but not teachers. On the other hand, I think that wearing a head covering or a t-shirt that identifies you as a member of a certain religion but doesn't make claims about that religion are fine.
Jennee
03-02-2007, 05:52 AM
i think it could be very educational, they could start a lesson with it
"do you know why i wear this? everyone believes something different and i believe...."
and maybe kids could then be asked to find out what their family believes
Kristi
03-02-2007, 07:59 AM
I agree with Christine. As long as they are not pushing their beliefs onto the students then I see no problems with it. And I do agree it should be all or nothing. I have no problem with my kids being exposed to different faiths and learning about them.
i think it could be very educational, they could start a lesson with it
"do you know why i wear this? everyone believes something different and i believe...."
and maybe kids could then be asked to find out what their family believes
I think it would be wonderful for kids to have discussions like that, but I can see it getting very, very thorny. A discussion like that would have to be premised on the idea that it is okay for everyone to believe what they do, and the beliefs would have to be treated equally, and I do think that just having all beliefs presented as equal would be upsetting to some parents. I think it's one thing to provide unbiased factual information, and another to start talking about subjective religious beliefs and experience.
I'm not really sure how a teacher should answer a question about religious jewelry. I think that a simple, "I wear this because I'm a ________" would probably be the best way to go, and then just direct the child to their parents if they have any more questions about what that means.
gr8mommy
03-02-2007, 09:57 AM
The only instance I'd have an issue is a Muslim woman wearing a face covering. I think it could be intimidating for kids, and difficult for them to correctly understand her meanings since so much of communication is facial expression.
I'd certainly question the motives of a Catholic with a rosary, since they generally aren't worn as ornamentation and used specifically for prayers. Anyone who can tell me I'm wrong about that understanding, feel free.
None of the other examples would concern me.
Erika
03-02-2007, 11:06 AM
You are right about the rosary beads. They aren't worn by Catholics (just some teen goth wannabes).
I don't have a problem with teachers wearing religious jewellery.
Jurgita
03-04-2007, 04:26 AM
I'm not the least bit concerned about my children being exposed to people of different faiths - it happens every day anyway. I'd only be concerned if they were being taught that those faiths were the truth in an educational setting. I don't see that as being a conflict when you're talking about personal expression through clothing and jewelry.
Exactly!
Polly
03-04-2007, 09:05 AM
Actually, the reason I mentioned the Catholic with rosary beads is that my
11th grade geometry teacher, Mrs. Gardner, wore them. She also had a picture of Jesus on her desk and started the class by telling us that she had prayed for our souls at the early morning Mass she attended each day. She did stop that when someone complained to the principal-TC Williams is a public school. Mrs. Gardener still wore the rosary beads attached at the waist, like a nun, everyday. I know this is hardly a common practice but clearly it made an impression.
Polly
I'd have no issue with them at all.