firing pregnant teachers from religious schools (2)

[David Bernstein]

Oops, accidentally sent an incomplete message.

(1) [cont.] I know some Christian schools require teachers to sign documents
that they will obey Christian moral principles because they want to show
students that it is possible to live one's life according to those
principles.  Catholic school manuals say this explicitly  And most religions
teach that you shouldn't embarass a person.  How exactly would the school
administration get across that the teacher in question has repented without
publicly castigating her for her sin, but then praising her for her
repentance?  Note that the schools are not simply firing the teacher for
becoming pregnant, but for violating their contracts.

(2) The courts' decisions I referenced would apply equally to an Orthodox
Jewish school, or other  religions without the Christian "we are all sinners"
emphasis.  I went to Jewish day schools, and a pregnant unmarried teacher
wouldn't have lasted a day.  Pretty hard to allow such a teacher to keep
teaching and then send girls home because their skirts are above their knees.


David Bernstein


In a message dated 8/19/01 12:13:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
crossf at MAIL.UTEXAS.EDU writes:

<<
 With respect to David Bernstein's points, I don't understand the argument
 that a pregnant woman teacher would be a "public negative role model."
 Insofar as Christian doctrine teaches that we are all sinners and can at
 best repent and ask for forgiveness, she would not be negative, she would
 be positive.  She would show how a sinner can be redeemed by repentance and
 accepted by Christian people.  Jesus did not point to Mary Magdalene as a
 "negative role model." >>