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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The Catholic church is considering firing any employee that marries a same sex partner.
And yet they protect their priests from legitimate molestation charges where the victims are children...
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And yet they protect their priests from legitimate molestation charges where the victims are children...>>
AH HA HA HA!
Miffy
Being public about it certainly does. How can a church who teaches that homosexuality is a sin knowingly allow a lesbian to work for them. They were willing to allow her to stay on if she repented from her sin. That is, they were not going to fire her for being a lesbian, and they let her go for being an unrepented lesbian and being public about it.
Now whether you agree that it is a sin, or if she needs to repent is not the point. She took a job freely at a church, knowing their teachings and beliefs. She willfully and publicly disobeyed their rules. The church would be a hypocrite to allow her to stay on their staff. By becoming a hypocrite it would tarnish their public image. A church that appears to be a hypocrite is crippled in their ability to teach what is and what isn't sin.
She took the job, she broke the rules, and she lost her job. No issue here.
Jim
Hmmmm... I would venture most everyone who works for the church is a sinner... suppose a church teaches African Americans should not be equal, or that women aren't equal, or if they find someone had sex prior to marriage...
people are too quick to say it's ok to discriminate about someone being gay, and it is high time this country starts to understand it is not ok, and that orientation is natural, not a choice. I'm tired of closets, tired of people judging us... have been more than patient with all the condescending remarks, and the religious defences... bottom line is it is major league bigotry, and it needs to be seen as such. Anyone who holds their views are bigots.
Pervs are everywhere...but when they hold such powerful positions within a 'spiritual' setting it can be devastating.
Hmmmm... I would venture most everyone who works for the church is a sinner... suppose a church teaches African Americans should not be equal, or that women aren't equal, or if they find someone had sex prior to marriage...
Very valid point.
True. But how many are in positions of leadership, publically announce it, and then continue to disobey the church? I'd venture to say not many and the church would be remiss if it didn't correct the issue.
"suppose a church teaches African Americans should not be equal,"
Then only racists would join the church and the church would have very little impact.
"or that women aren't equal"
Same as above.
"if they find someone had sex prior to marriage... "
provided they asked for forgiveness it is a non issue.
"people are too quick to say it's ok to discriminate about someone being gay"
They aren't discriminating. They are saying here is a list of behavior we feel is wrong. If you are in leadership you are expected to obey the rules of the church, if you don't you will be removed from leadership. They didn't remove her from the church did they?
"that orientation is natural, not a choice"
That is open to debate.
"I'm tired of closets, tired of people judging us."
Like kermit said "It ain't easy being green"
"bottom line is it is major league bigotry"
In some cases it is. In others it isn't. I don't dislike homosexuals, I dislike homosexuality. I do believe it is wrong and unnatural. Does that mean I hate the person? Of course not. I also dislike the behaviorial actions of other people, doesn't mean I dislike the people.
Edited 6/25/2004 10:15 am ET ET by vader716
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