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.''


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:31pm
How does being a lesbian adversely affect her employer?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:32pm
>>So they are also taking action against her students, who took classes they thought were church approved. This is way beyond questionable.<<

Agreed... that makes zero sense to me. Did what they learn evaporate?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:37pm
It's against their teachings. And to teach in that church you evidently have to be a member in good standing. If you're no longer a member in good standing, it makes a sort of sense that you can no longer teach there.

For myself I wouldn't say that it adversely affects her employer, but her actions are contrary to church policy. And as a church that's probably enough to "justify" their actions.


~mark~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:38pm
>>Fair or not that's pretty much the reality of it.<<

It should be challenged. Hiding behind a religious shield only to flaunt employment laws is not right.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:40pm
I can follow the logic of that, though I'm still unsure, because religious institutions receive tax breaks, and in return it is reasonable to expect they will abide by our laws... but what of her students?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:50pm
" I can follow the logic of that, though I'm still unsure, because religious institutions receive tax breaks, and in return it is reasonable to expect they will abide by our laws"

Seperation of church and state, remember? It cuts both ways to a certain degree I suppose. Fair or foul, churches aren't subject to the full range of laws regular businesses are subject to.

"but what of her students?"

They got shafted, no argument. Welcome to Life 101.


~mark~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:57pm
Church and state can hold to a point... the tricky part is where it begins and or ends.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 6:09pm
Isn't it though? The devil is in the details. nt
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 9:55pm
By being a lesbian, she violates what the church believes in and teaches.

That is the bottom line.

The church is well within their rights to dismiss her as well.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 10:02pm
The Catholic church is considering firing any employee that marries a same sex partner. So you believe this would be legal. We need to adjust laws so that it isn't, else every bigot in America is going to hide behind a religious reason for their actions.