Posted on 09/26/2005 10:31:48 PM PDT by Bonaparte
Daughter of lesbian couple expelled By Mason Stockstill, Staff Writer ONTARIO - A Chino couple plans to picket a Christian school in Ontario on Monday because officials expelled their daughter after learning her parents are lesbians. Tina Clark said the superintendent of Ontario Christian High School gave her a letter explaining that 14-year-old freshman Shay Clark was being kicked out because her parents' sexual orientation is "inconsistent with a positive Christian life style." "My sexual orientation should have nothing to do with her getting an education," Tina Clark said. "I'm the one that's gay. My daughter's not. Why should her civil rights be infringed?" Shay was crushed by what happened earlier this week, which she said came as a surprise. "I knew that I might have problems," Shay said. "But I never thought it would go that far." Principal Tim Hoekstra and Superintendent Len Stob did not return repeated calls Thursday and Friday seeking comment. Phone calls to several school trustees also were not returned. Clark and her partner, Mitzi Gray, have been together for 22 years. They didn't expect Shay would experience discrimination at the school because her older sister had attended Ontario Christian schools from sixth through ninth grade. Additionally, Shay said her friends knew she lived in a home with two mothers, and "it was never a problem." On Tuesday, however, that changed. Gray said when she went to an unrelated parent meeting that Clark was unable to attend, school administrators were confused by her different last name. The next day, both women were called in and asked point-blank if they were gay, Clark said. When they said they were, Shay was expelled. "These are the same people that patted me on the back the Friday before that and asked me how my week had gone," Clark said. The family's situation is not unusual, said Johnny Chagolla of the Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance, a gay-rights organization in San Bernardino. Often, he said, students at religious schools are more likely to face discrimination. "In cases like this, there's a concern," Chagolla said. "A lot of (religious school officials) say they're very open and affirming, and then you see this, and it contradicts what they're saying." A similar situation arose earlier this year at a Catholic school in Costa Mesa, when parents pressured administrators into barring gay parents after a gay couple enrolled their twin sons at the school. Ontario Christian is affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church, a denomination that considers homosexuality a "condition of disordered sexuality," according to the Web site of the Christian Reformed Church of North America. The church considers the act of homosexual sex to be a sin, which "must be condemned as incompatible with obedience to the will of God as revealed in scripture." However, according to the group's Web site, the church should help gay Christians and "give them support toward healing and wholeness." As the family gathered outside the school for a news conference Friday, students and staff peered at the scene out of the windows. Receptionist Cory Overstreet said administrators would not be available to comment. According to the letter signed by Stob, school officials were not aware of Clark and Gray's relationship at the time Shay was admitted. But both women said that question was never asked, and that both of their names were included in all of the required paperwork. "Had we known they were against homosexuality, we would never have sought this school out," Gray said. "It wasn't like we announced it to the world, but it wasn't a secret, either. We've always been a family." Shay's educational future is unclear. At first, Clark had hoped there was a way Shay could return to Ontario Christian. But now, no one in the family backs that idea. The family is looking for another private school Shay can attend, but the admissions process is typically long, and she might not get in anywhere this year. Public school will probably be the answer for now, Clark said. After she gets to a new school, the family may consider legal action, Clark said. The expulsion was difficult for Shay, who said she is upset about being separated from her friends. As for the school's leadership, "They should be embarrassed," Shay said. - Mason Stockstill can be reached by e-mail mason.stockstill@dailybulletin.com , or by phone at (909) 483-9354
Women plan to protest outside Ontario Christian school
For crying out loud. Seriously.
And one more thing.
These women new EXACTLY what they were doing and were willing to sacrifice a child to get it done.
She's not being punished. This is a private school. It's a privilege to attend. There are rules. At least one of the "Mommies" would have had to sign a Confession of Faith. Living openly and unrepentant in a lesbian relationship negates the confession that was signed.
Doesn't sound very 'Christian' to me.
Yes it does. If these women repented and ended the relationship I'm sure the girl would be welcome. Instead they had a press conference in front of the school. Heather Has Two Mommies isn't practised in Christian schools.
[It's me]: "Oh for heaven's sake!! You have GOT to be kidding me!"
_____________________________________
This statement of Gray's is one of the giveaways to the "parents'" deceitfulness. Practicing homosexuals will all identify the group they call "fundamentalist Christians" as their greatest adversary. Gray and Clark were familiarized with the school's mission statement and knew very well it's association with a Bible-believing conservative church.
One or both them also signed on to the school's Article of Faith and bylaw agreement, so the school's policy on unrepentent sinners (such as active homosexuals) was no mystery to them. Now Gray plays dumb and naive and nobody's buying it, although their homosexual advisors and lawyers may pretend to do so.
Well, I know two lesbian women who started coming to our church. They loved hearing about Jesus and how much He loved them. So they asked to serve in the children's ministry. We told them that we loved the fact that they wanted to serve, but that they needed to understand that we only allowed people who had a committed relationship with Jesus to serve.
That led to a whole bunch of questions. We shared the gospel, they accepted it, turned from their lifestyle, and started separate journeys of faith. Both remain celibate, though both face temptation.
So, yes, people can come to faith in Jesus. A lot of homosexuals struggle with wanting to be a part of a faith community. No, we weren't soft on sin. No, we didn't hide the fact that we did not condone the lifestyle. And yet, we loved them where they were...but we didn't want them to stay that way either.
I am with Little Jeremiah. The fact that the other child attended school there with no issues makes it seem that the church school was really trying. There's more to this story.
Too true. However, I wonder how many are willing to really take on this issue. I still don't think we know all of the details, but I have heard Christians treat the sin of homosexuality as if it is the unpardonable sin. It isn't.
If the kid is trying to "enlighten" the rest of the school, then something has to be done. And if parting company is what is needed, then that is what is needed.
That's a beautiful story about the lesbians who came to your church. An outstanding example of loving the sinner and hating the sin. Here's a website about overcoming homosexuality that you or they might be interested in looking at:
http://www.drthrockmorton.com/idoexist.asp
I Do Exist
and here's Scripter's profile page with links to a lot of info on overcoming the "gay" life:
http://www.freerepublic.com/~scripter/index
I grew up in Chino and had many friends that went to Ontario Christian. I went to church with many of them at Calvary Christian Reformed.
I'm glad they enforced their beliefs. It is obvious that Shay is learning her "Christianity" at home instead of from the Bible.
These are not poor Christian students. A lot of them come from wealthy Dutch dairymen.
What makes you so sure it wasn't?
Are you a moral theologian?
Do you profess to possess more wisdom and compassion than the administrators and staff of this Christian school?
Are you their moral superior?
Most private schools interview interested FAMILIES, not interested students. Many of these schools require a specific set of values and personal charicteristics on the part of the parents; this is not new or unique. If they feel the parents' or student's conduct and personal beleifs may seriously conflict with school teachings, procedures and principles they will very often refer such parents to another school.
This being the case, why then should this Christian school welcome a family into its program who are feircely opposed to what they teach, and who enrolled their 'daughter' through deception by concealing their homosexuality?
Have you asked yourself why these lesbian 'parents' chose a Christian school to educate their 'daughter' in, while they themselves oppose Church teachings? Does this make any sense to you, or do you think there could be more here than meets the eye?
Do you think the child's deeper dilemma is living with lesbian 'parents' in a homosexual environment, or being dismissed by a private school because her 'parents' refuse to conform to their enrollment criteria?
Yes, I assumed as much.
Don't fall for this propaganda.
No worries.
No, isolating the other children from moral contamination. Sort of like quarantine.
Andie, that is a fantastic story. I didn't mean to say that we should not witness to those women, only that the outcome you describe did not seem likely to me. Forgive my lack of faith. With God all things are possible.
The school, being private and all, has every right to set the rules of admission. My two girls went to a private American Indian school through the 8th grade. If that school had decided that because they were slightly less than half Indian, they could not attend, would that be their right or should I protest and sue?
Exactly! The school has every right to set its admission criteria and expel a student when the family no longer qualifies. The parents have every right to throw a public tantrum and demand that they be made a special exception. Can't blame them for trying, since other "special" groups get whatever they want just by hurting a business or rioting.
For the Record......
What makes you so sure it wasn't?
I have complete Telepsychic powers that allows me to bend the time space continum which enables me to look into the minds of everyone I chose..... And I will tell you this forum would be PARTICULARLY interested in what I found or didnt find in yours....
Are you a moral theologian?
Well... yes actually minored in it. How bout you>?
Do you profess to possess more wisdom and compassion than the administrators and staff of this Christian school?
Again with my telepsychic ability I have a constant feel on the pulse of other peoples wisdom and it is obvious I top the charts.
Are you their moral superior?
Well isnt that obvious >???? sheesh
Most private schools interview interested FAMILIES, not interested students. Many of these schools require a specific set of values and personal charicteristics on the part of the parents; this is not new or unique. If they feel the parents' or student's conduct and personal beleifs may seriously conflict with school teachings, procedures and principles they will very often refer such parents to another school.
On a serious note... I am all for that. It is apparent that you did not read my posts, so I will take out my hand puppets and explain it again.
I am all for the following of the moral agreement that the student signed. If the student said to the administration that she realizes her mom lives in a life of sin, but she is chosing not to live that way and wants to stay in the school then they should have let her. Did they give her that chance? It doesnt appear so.
This being the case, why then should this Christian school welcome a family into its program who are feircely opposed to what they teach, and who enrolled their 'daughter' through deception by concealing their homosexuality?
Non believers send their kids to religious schools all the time because of the education and the Christian environment. They foolishly believe that students will bennefit from a religious environment but counter behavior at home. However I am not the one that seems to be doubting the power of the Holy Spirit to work here. I have been saying ... did the school give her the chance or did they base the decision souly on the behavior of the mother? If so I think that was bad judgement.
Have you asked yourself why these lesbian 'parents' chose a Christian school to educate their 'daughter' in, while they themselves oppose Church teachings? Does this make any sense to you, or do you think there could be more here than meets the eye?
They sent their older daughter to the same school for years and didnt file a lawsuit.
Do you think the child's deeper dilemma is living with lesbian 'parents' in a homosexual environment, or being dismissed by a private school because her 'parents' refuse to conform to their enrollment criteria?
No I would say her deeper dilema is living with a mother that will be losing her soul than anything. My question to you is what is better for the daughter? To be around Christian Friends and families that model compassion, mercy , love and grace.
Or to be kicked out and made a spectical of due to her mothers sin?
If you say there are rules and they must be followed you have missed the entire concept of why Christ came. ESPECIALLY coming from a school with the idea of teaching Christian standards.
I will remind all of us here..... " The measure you use to measure out grace to others it will be used to measured to you.
May God not use the same size scoop on you as you have this young girl.
Sort of like ethnic cleansing?
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