Cape Coral woman banned from teaching

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Cape Coral woman banned from teaching
45
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 1:49pm
after marrying partner

http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=33214

By Associated Press

Thursday, June 24, 2004

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A 62-year-old Cape Coral woman who married her lesbian partner in Massachusetts was banned from teaching in the Christian Science church after she refused to ``repent'' for her actions.

Kathleen Clementson returned her teaching credentials and left the church. Her former students are now considered by the Christian Science board of directors to have had no primary instruction.

Clementson married Suzanne Nightingale, 49, on a Cape Cod beach on May 20, before Massachusetts began enforcing a ban on gay marriages by out-of-state couples. The women have since bought a town house in that state, and said they plan to move there.

An Associated Press photo taken at the service was sent to newspapers around the world, and many people recognized Clementson's name in connection with the church, she said.

The church sent Clementson a letter in early June saying she had abused her role as a teacher, but did not define the abuse. The letter directed her to cut ties with former students, and said she could teach again only if she repented and served a three-year probation.

``They were not specific,'' Clementson said. ``I don't feel I have anything to repent for more than anyone else.''

The Boston-based church said Thursday it was preparing a statement about the incident which it planned to release by the end of the day. A local governing board member said the Christian Science Church of Cape Coral will abide by the Mother Church's decision.

Clementson's former students who are now church-approved practitioners can no longer advertise their services in the Christian Science Journal, or take annual refresher courses.

But few people will be seriously affected by the board's decision, Clementson said.

A former student, Hal Gimlin, of North Carolina, said he will maintain his relationship with Clementson - and the church.

``I love my religion,'' he said. ``I'm not thrilled with what is going on. I think they overdid it.''


Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 2:07pm
Is there a problem with the church's actions?

Jim

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 3:32pm
If this were a public school I could see the problem, but being a Christian school, she should know that being a lesbian is a sin, so what did the church school do that was wrong, according to their religious beliefs?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 4:38pm
A church is entitled to their own beliefs... to a point. If they dismiss her for teaching contrary to the church's views, ok... if they dismiss her solely because of her partnership, not ok... not if she taught as the church wished. And I would guess those who now have lost their ability to practice have a beef with the church as well, and would also guess it could be legally actionable.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 4:42pm
>>If this were a public school I could see the problem, but being a Christian school, she should know that being a lesbian is a sin, so what did the church school do that was wrong, according to their religious beliefs?<<

First... there is no legal standing for sin, other than separation of church and state, and that is limited... one cannot hold slaves as part of a church belief for instance. If she does not violate what the church wishes to be taught while she is in the classroom, they have no beef with her. And those whom she taught that now have lost their sanction could take action against the church...


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 4:48pm
"If she does not violate what the church wishes to be taught while she is in the classroom, they have no beef with her. "

As a representative of the church she could be expected to uphold its teachings in her private life. If the church teaches against homosexuality and she openly supports it they have a right as a private institution to remove her from her position. She would not be a proper representative of the church. Perfectly legitimate.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:03pm
So if you are for Bush because you are pl and your employer is for Kerry because he is for choice, they can fire you?
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:09pm
No but if my public actions would adversly affect my employer then they have a right to fire me. When one takes a job at a church, or school, or as a police officer, politician, etc they understand that their actions in their private lives can have a negative affect on their employer and should act accordingly.

The person was not forced to take the job.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:10pm
If I read this correctly, they are dismissing her, which I find questionable. They are also not allowing her former students to be church-approved practitioners, advertise their services in the Christian Science Journal, or take annual refresher courses.

So they are also taking action against her students, who took classes they thought were church approved. This is way beyond questionable.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:12pm
"So they are also taking action against her students, who took classes they thought were church approved. This is way beyond questionable. "

If that is true than I agree with you on that point. The students did nothing wrong and did in fact receive an education from an approved instructor.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:17pm
There's a difference between what a business can do and what a church can do where it's members and workers are concerned. Many of the laws which apply to licensed, public businesses simply don't to religious organizations. Fair or not that's pretty much the reality of it.


~mark~

Pages