When it comes to religion, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution really places the government on a tightrope. It's not allowed to prohibit free exercise of religion, but it's not allowed to make laws respecting establishment of religion, either. Try to regulate religious practices, and you violate the free exercise clause; get too cozy with religion, and you violate the establishment clause.

The Oregon legislature's on the tightrope right now with a bill that would repeal the state's existing prohibition on the wearing of religious garb by public school teachers. The state House passed the bill last week, and it's on to the Senate. Since the proposed change is in favor of religion, it's almost automatic that it will raise establishment clause issues.

Sure enough, there's opposition, but perhaps surprisingly, the ACLU is among those opposed to the bill. One of my colleagues, Tung Yin, calls the ACLU out on that position on the O today. His op-ed piece is here, and if you wish you can comment on his blog, here.