I used to go to a christian school like that. I ended getting expelled at the end of 8th grade because they had random house visits, and i had a nirvana poster on my wall. I was expelled because I listened to "rock and the like". Those places are strict. But, I say the school was in the right here. Fromm a business standpoint, the school gets customers (parents) because they hold their staff and students to a specific moral code. If a teacher breaks that code, and they don't fire her, then they aren't giving the service that they said they were, and thus would lose customers.

(05/10/2010 08:32 PM)Organized_Chaos Wrote:  I could go on a long rant about how much I disagree with religions and their beliefs of a wizard in the sky. I won't simply because I don't hang out around here and I don't want to offend people (I'd like to be able to pop in once in a while without having rocks thrown at me).

I highly doubt you could truly offend anyone here by expressing your opinion, just as long as you present it with a level head, and are able to take criticism. Just present an argument and your reasoning, and the people to whom your post is targeted will respond in an equally respectful manner.

(05/10/2010 08:32 PM)Organized_Chaos Wrote:  Instead I say this: Why does marriage matter? When you get married you get a piece of paper signed saying you are legally married. That's all it is, paper. So if someone has sex before they get that paper, they are doing the wrong thing and should lose their job?

As Zinga addressed before, it is not so much about what wee, as individuals, believe is morally correct or incorrect, or even what is suitable for such drastic repercussions as being fired, but rather the mismatch of interests in the situation. The school was designed to cater to a specific type of parent, who wishes to raise a certain type of child. Their morals are specifically formed over a particular set of guidelines, which they have taken to be interpreted in a very specific manner. Obviously, this teacher's beliefs and the school's collide in at least this one manner, but that really is all it takes. There is a definite mismatch, as it would not be financially sound for the school to not stick to its own guidelines, possibly causing a loss of students from disgruntled parents.

This, of course, is my opinion. Another view would be that perhaps this school board is purely basing it on what is morally correct (in their eyes), and the financial aspect is irrelevant, but "I" believe most can see why I have some difficulty believing that is the only reason.

(05/10/2010 08:32 PM)Organized_Chaos Wrote:  It's extremely difficult to get a job in today's world. That could seriously ruin this couple's plans. How would they afford to have the kid without a job? I hope she wins the lawsuit so she can get a settlement. Otherwise, the year or so for that family will be miserable until the mom can find another school to teach at or some other job.

That is one of the most significant aspects of the whole argument. Many find it extremely hypocritical for a Christian school to not only refuse forgiveness for such a sin, but also for them to so readily condemn the future of this woman's family. The "correct" party in this situation is not the main concern, in my opinion, but rather, the way in which the situation was handled. By publicly stating not only the woman's decision, but also the school's judgement on said decision, the school has impugned this teacher's character. This is a point, I believe, that should not be ignored.

The most civil answer would have been for the school to just inform her of colliding interests, and make an arrangement for her to leave, either after giving her time to find a new job, or to seek legal counsel over the situation first. My father and I were discussing it, and one possibility, wee decided, was that there was possibly a personal vendetta at the root, as this decision seems awfully personal. If it was truly a shared consensus among the school officials that this was the wisest course of action, then the school, as a business, deserves to deal with all the consequences of its actions. However, if it was truly the act of one selfish party, then the party that instigated this ordeal should be more closely examined, as they are clearly not acting in the school's best interest (ironically, as the claim was that the teacher was behaving similarly).