Kindergartener's stripper-mom in church-school flap

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Thursday, May 16, 2002

[JohnHuang2]

A private Christian school and a kindergartener's mother who stripteases for a living are quickly becoming the focus of the latest debate on religious freedom.

Officials of Capital Christian School in Sacramento, Calif., discovered that what they thought had been a private meeting with a mother of a kindergartner who violated her commitment to school policy had become a news story on the local CBS affiliate KOVR.

The story first came to the attention of WorldNetDaily when WND columnist Rebecca Hagelin was invited Wednesday morning to discuss the issue on CNN's popular afternoon talk show "Talk Back Live." The only information circulating at the time was a brief description of a broadcast report filed by KOVR-TV which broke the story late Tuesday evening.

The summary blurb summed up the story this way: "A mother says her daughter is getting expelled from kindergarten because mom is a part-time stripper. This is about a five-year-old girl who attends Capital Christian School in Sacramento. But her mother says when the school found out she was an exotic dancer they told her she had one week to get her daughter out of their school."

Since the school's position was entirely absent from the report, Hagelin contacted the pastor of Capital Christian Church, the sponsoring church of the school. Senior Pastor Rick Cole was clearly disturbed by the events and reluctant to discuss details. Cole did, however, agree to provide certain facts about the case that had not been disclosed by the mother when she contacted the local television station about the situation.

Although Cole did not reveal the identity of the mother or child, WND subsequently learned their identities from KOVR-TV reporter George Franco, but has opted not to disclose the names to protect the child's privacy.

Hagelin reported the other side of the story during her appearance on CNN yesterday.

"By air time Wednesday afternoon, I had secured two interviews with pastor Cole from my car phone," she said. "His greatest concern and reluctance to speak came from his desire to protect the mother and her daughter." Given that only part of the story had become national news, she added, Cole thought it important provide the rest of the story.

Cole explained that recently school officials had become aware that the mother in question works as a part-time strip-teaser dancer at a local club. Since her occupation is in violation of an agreement with and commitment to the school philosophy that parents must sign before the children are admitted to school, school officials, including Cole met the mother.

Not wanting to divulge the personal and confidential details of the conversation with the mother, Cole only briefly outlined the details of the offer officials had made the mother -- which had been left out of previous news stories.

"The school offered to waive the last month's tuition for the student so the young girl could remain in school to the end of the year if the mother would quit her job as a strip-tease dancer. They also offered to support the mother and walk 'hand in hand' with her as she worked through the spiritual issues involved and sought to better her life," said Hagelin. "The pastor believed that the meeting had been well-received by the mother, but the next thing he knew he was getting calls from the local media. I found Pastor Cole to be clearly upset that his efforts to help a woman in a very bad situation were not successful."

As a requirement for admission, parents of prospective students must sign a "commitment" to support the philosophy of the school. That philosophy, in part, reads: "Emphasis is placed on learning about God and the truths of God's Word in relationship to man and his world; recognizing that the way to God comes through personal faith in Jesus Christ; and Christian maturity comes by application of the truths of the Bible in all areas of life." In signing the document, parents agree to maintain a "partnership" with the school "regarding the standards and criteria of a Christian learning structure that involves the entire family."

"Although school officials see the mother's job as a stripper as a clear violation of her signed commitment, automatic termination of the relationship was not an option for them," said Hagelin. "The pastor and school attempted to help the mother better her life, and offered her both financial, spiritual and emotional support."

In Hagelin's interview with the pastor, he described how the role of the school differed somewhat from that of the church. While the church has open arms to all who wish to attend, he discussed how essential parental commitment is to the success of a school of 1,200 students that seeks to provide both high academic and spiritual standards for each and every student, noted Hagelin.

Reporter George Franco of KOVR told Hagelin that the mother has retained legal counsel and is considering filing a motion for an immediate injunction to have the child remain in school while the mother continues to work as a stripper.

[SCalGal]

Ah, but while they're screwing you, you're supposed to "turn the other cheek".

[flyervet]

The cleaning wo/men I know make pretty good money here; more than I do, actually, and I've been here 24 years! Cleaning women (and men) make over $12 an hour doing private cleaning jobs in homes, and probably more than that in post offices and other businesses. So, don't put down cleaning jobs. They can be very good sources of money.

I would never put down cleaning people. It's an honest, honorable job. However, $12 an hour really isn't much money, especially in the more expensive areas of the country, and particularly when you consider the costs of childcare that come into play when a single parent works multiple shifts.

In any event, $12/hr isn't enough to live on and pay private school tuition.

[hobbes1]

OPH, could the school theoretically be considered a Public Accomodation ? I mean if a PGA tour event is....(Casey Martin..)

[flyervet]

Yep, I agree. And what's more, I applaud your honesty. I'm sure you're a great mom.

[SCalGal]

$12 an hour next to the $400 a month tuition that the private school my daughter was in charged....That's $480 per week, or $1920 a month (assuming a 4 week month), before taxes are taken out.

Not a lot left there for rent, food, medical bills, etc.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Neither choice is "moral". Furthermore, the question is irrelevant since there are numerous other choices besides "working as a stripper or going on welfare".

That's called a cop-out. Either/or, make the call. Which is more moral: working as a stripper, or going on Welfare.

[VRWCmember]

The great commission was about living in the world, going forward, and doing good - not retreating.

Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Nothing in there about condoning an occupation that clearly violates Christ's teaching about sexual purity and holiness. To look the other way and allow the child to remain enrolled in the school while the mother continues to work as a stripper (thus violating the agreement she signed) would be betrayal of the school's standards.

[twigs]

I bet the school still cashed her tuition checks.

Of course they did. They taught her child, didn't they?

[bvw]

If money is the only measure, we then do you stop? Shouldn't she trick too? A few bj's a night means $50-$100, that would really help with the kid, right?

[bvw]

we then = "where then"

[flyervet]

And $4800 a year in tuition is on the low end of the scale for private school tuition.

[SCalGal]

Thanks; I don't think it matters so much what the job is, as long as you remember that your primary goal is to be a good parent- priorities, is all. Of course, you have to be prepared to be penalized in the workplace, but you can always get another job. Kids are a one-shot deal.

[the-ironically-named-proverbs2]

"To borrow a phrase so beloved of fundamentalists, WWJD?"

I guess when you say fundamentalists you mean those that actually read the Bible and try to understand its message? What was Jesus' message to the woman who was almost stoned? (or do you really care?)

John 8:10-12
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Of course that was the message from His first trip. How about: What Will Jesus Do?

II Th 1:3-10
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Rev 19:11-16
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Now isn't that intolerant!

[hobbes1]

If money is the only measure, we then do you stop? Shouldn't she trick too? A few bj's a night means $50-$100,

Your proposition ignores the Legality/illegality aspect.

[flyervet]

I certainly would not advocate someone to break the law for any reason. But if the choice comes down to an act of prostitution and the health and welfare of one's child, shouldn't we acknowledge that the temptation to resort to prostitution becomes much stronger, and much more complicated then many would like to admit?

[BornOnTheFourth]

HMMMMM...what to say. My daughter goes to this school. Yes, there is an agreement that parents sign. I don't remember all that's on it, but basically you agree to attend church regularly and will live according to Biblical standards.

I also know Pastor Cole (not very well, but I do have much respect for him). He is a kind and compassionate person, and is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. There are more details to this story than the press is reporting.