Cape Coral woman banned from teaching
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| Thu, 06-24-2004 - 1:49pm |
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.''

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Jim
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...
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.
The person was not forced to take the job.
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.
~mark~
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