Private School Teacher Fired For Out of Wedlock Pregnancy

[HYHYBT]

Everyone's a hypocrite at some point. No exceptions.

[Rageaholic]

You know, what really bugs me about this is how they're willing to screw over people in the name of some "values".

They're making her lose her job, which could result in her being unemployed and unable to take care of her baby (very possible in this economy). But no, what's more important is that they uphold their bullshit traditional values, punishing the person who dare go against the norm. Ultimately, her actions don't really hurt or affect anyone, but them firing her does. Yet, they can still appear "righteous" in the name of some cultural bullshit.

Traditional values are fine, but people who follow them look down on those who don't, I want to smack them.

[MadMike]

Traditional values are fine, but people who follow them look down on those who don't, I want to smack them.

"Traditional values" is one of those phrases that just make me want to hurl. These closed-minded, judgemental assholes keep talking about getting back to "traditional values." My response is, "You mean like when women couldn't vote, and certain people weren't allowed on golf courses? Yeah, that's what we need to get back to. The world was a much better place back then." And then, just in case these idiots don't get it, I add on something like, "In case you couldn't figure it out, I was being sarcastic!"

[Gravekeeper]

Perhaps you meant to refer to the faction of crazy, overzealous so-called Christians? Because I consider myself a Christian and am certainly NONE of the things that you describe. Nor am I a hypocrite.

Yes, just a "crazy overzealous faction of so called Christians" that happens to dominate the airwaves and bolster up the most popular TV network in the US while forcing new religion based laws onto the public in a country with the lowest belief in scientific evolution in the entire industrialized world ( 14% ). 43% of the country thinks God just created humans out of thin air in their current perfect form within the last 10,000 years.

Sorry, you don't get to blame some small but vocal faction anymore. -.-

If you want to be angry at something, be angry at these idiots taking over the term Christian from you.

[Rageaholic]

"Traditional values" is one of those phrases that just make me want to hurl. These closed-minded, judgemental assholes keep talking about getting back to "traditional values." My response is, "You mean like when women couldn't vote, and certain people weren't allowed on golf courses? Yeah, that's what we need to get back to. The world was a much better place back then." And then, just in case these idiots don't get it, I add on something like, "In case you couldn't figure it out, I was being sarcastic!"

Yeah, a lot of traditional values are so overrated and superficial. I think if someone wants to wait until marriage for sex, that's fine, but there's nothing wrong with those doing it before hand (as long as they are responsible).

What really irks me are the Bill O'reilly's and Rush Limbaugh's who act like there's a war on their precious traditional values. In reality, we're questioning the notion that all these virtues are best for everyone. They are the assholes who would pick apart someone like this teacher, yet when called out on their bigotry, they're the ones being oppressed?

It's just like the Christians who think that acknowledge other religions as equal = persecution. Maybe in another country, but in the US of A.

Sadly, I bet there are many who actually want to go back to the "good old days" where women couldn't vote and black people had to sit in the back of the bus.

[Peppergirl]

Yes, just a "crazy overzealous faction of so called Christians" that happens to dominate the airwaves and bolster up the most popular TV network in the US while forcing new religion based laws onto the public in a country with the lowest belief in scientific evolution in the entire industrialized world ( 14% ). 43% of the country thinks God just created humans out of thin air in their current perfect form within the last 10,000 years.

Sorry, you don't get to blame some small but vocal faction anymore. -.-

If you want to be angry at something, be angry at these idiots taking over the term Christian from you.

That's interesing, GK, because I seem to recall in various religious threads you pretty much saying that the majority of Christians are not like the crazy one's that are so front and center in today's society. And that we all shouldn't be painted with the same brush.

If I'm remembering this wrong, disregard - but for some reason this is sticking in my brain.

If I'm right, what changed your mind? What suddenly makes you seem to believe I don't have a right to take offense that even the most mild Christian is thought of as a crazy zealot, simply by virtue of that person merely believing in God. And because there are (okay, lots) of crazy Christians that have a large foot-hold on the airwaves?

[Andara Bledin]

Yeah, a lot of traditional values are so overrated and superficial. I think if someone wants to wait until marriage for sex, that's fine, but there's nothing wrong with those doing it before hand (as long as they are responsible).

I have no issue with sex outside of wedlock or for reasons other than procreation.

However, this is a teacher, who is charged with the moral guidance of these children, and to follow and display adherence to the basic tenets of which the school is teaching. She failed to do so, and as such, essentially broke the terms of her contract with them.

This is, in essence, a contractual matter. The only reason that religion really comes into it is because the clause is only valid due to the religious nature of the institution.

Actually, this is a good example of why all terms and verbiage used within a contract need to be defined; for the edification and protection of both parties. She failed to understand what the contract meant to her employers and unwittingly broke it, for which they took action.

It's a sucky situation and I do feel for her. I also think that the case could go either way, and it depends entirely upon the actual wording of the contract and the structure of the school, neither of which are public knowledge. However, I strongly suspect that the school has its bases covered in this matter and it is likely to fall out in their favor.

^-.-^

[Ree]

The thing is... by firing her, they're indirectly saying "if you *do* get pregnant, go have a secret abortion so people won't know you're unchaste."

I don't think that's what they're saying at all.

They were asking the teacher in a Christian school environment to act within the doctrines and teaching of the faith, which includes no sexual acts outside of marriage.

As far as I know, morality clauses in employment contracts are perfectly legal, even for private schools.

From what I understand, this teacher signed an employment contract, knowing full well what was expected of her. She did not behave according to the terms of her contract, therefore she has violated that contract.

I'm not going to argue whether the school was right to have a morals clause to begin with, nor am I going to argue whether a person's private sexual life should be under the jurisdiction of their employer, or even the church.

I'm not going to defend Christians either, even though I am sick to death of watching all Christians get tarred with the same brush so we are all painted as radical, judgmental bigots.

As Andara has pointed out, the fact is that this was a private Christian school, and this was a legally binding contract.
It's not unreasonable to expect that the parents who are paying to send their children to that school have the same beliefs, hence the reason for a morals clause.

The teacher violated that clause.

If this was a pro athlete or an entertainer who had a morals clause in their contract, and they violated that clause, I have to wonder if there would be such an outcry.

If the athlete or entertainer was "marketed" as having a squeaky clean image, and it suddenly came out that the guy had fathered a child with someone outside of marriage, or that the woman was single and pregnant, people would be mocking the hypocrisy. People wouldn't be judging them for the fact that they had sex outside of marriage, but they would be talking about the fact that the person was presenting a certain image but were living contrary to that image. In this case, the school has "marketed" their curriculum and its teachers in a certain way, so, just as in the cases I cited, this teacher has also behaved in a way that appears hypocritical.

I think the outrage has a great deal to do with the fact that this was a "Christian" private school, and this is a pregnant woman who has been terminated from her job. That seems to strike more of a chord with people and a reason to become outraged over the situation because "Christian" has become synonymous with intolerance.

[Andara Bledin]

If this was a pro athlete or an entertainer who had a morals clause in their contract, and they violated that clause, I have to wonder if there would be such an outcry.

American Idol actually markets this as DRAMA. If you don't have a squeaky clean background, you can't get on, and if you try to hide it, you'll get booted off with the cameras rolling (and a week of ads hyping that it's going to happen )

^-.-^

[Gravekeeper]

If I'm right, what changed your mind? What suddenly makes you seem to believe I don't have a right to take offense that even the most mild Christian is thought of as a crazy zealot, simply by virtue of that person merely believing in God. And because there are (okay, lots) of crazy Christians that have a large foot-hold on the airwaves?

You can be offended all you want. I'm just pointing out that this isn't some little overzealous vocal group making the rest look bad. This is a large, significant chunk of the US and they're doing damage to the country. Real, dangerous damage. Its perfectly valid to criticize that.

As for what changed my mind: Look around you. I have no problems with Christians in Canada. But at this point Christians in the US legitimately frighten me and there's no visible counterpoint to them. The shit they have said and done lately should have your entire country in the streets setting things on *fire*. But the best you can hope for is a clip montage on the Daily Show.

Near half the country has slowly been losing its god damn mind over a black guy being in the White House and its reached the point where the US looks legitimately insane to the international community.

We don't understand anymore.

[Nyoibo]

What GK said.

[blas87]

It's always great to know that someone knows you better than you know yourself.

[Canarr]

I have no issue with sex outside of wedlock or for reasons other than procreation.

However, this is a teacher, who is charged with the moral guidance of these children, and to follow and display adherence to the basic tenets of which the school is teaching. She failed to do so, and as such, essentially broke the terms of her contract with them.

This is, in essence, a contractual matter. The only reason that religion really comes into it is because the clause is only valid due to the religious nature of the institution.

Excellent summary, as usual.

This case has nothing to do with Christian morals, and whether or not they are "good" or "bad". This has only to do with the mutual signing of a contract, and adhering to it. The teacher in question agreed, in writing, to the terms set forth, with the understanding that going against said terms will result in termination. She broke the contract, she was terminated - that's how things go.

Signing a contract - any contract - should be done in good faith - meaning, the terms are considered acceptable for both parties, and both parties enter the agreement with the intent of upholding it. Just because her breach of contract resulted in pregnancy, she should be given a break? Why?

[Peppergirl]

As for what changed my mind

Glad to know I didn't imagine it.

I get it now, though. Canadian christians are fine (Ree, I'm sure you're relieved about this), but everyone in the US who believes in God is a whackjob. Good to know.

Anyway, I'm gonna go thump my bible and roam the streets with my pitchfork now, sneaking up on unsuspecting people with questionable moral character so that I can smack them with said bible and force them to repent. Be back later.

[Peppergirl]

Getting back on topic, I am firmly on the side of the teacher in this case. It's unfortunate that she signed a contract stating that they had the authority to fire her for her 'lack of morals', but that certainly doesn't make it the right thing to do.

I shudder to think of how many times I'd have been fired from my own job for doing things I wasn't supposed to.