Posted on 05/16/2002 2:29:30 AM PDT by 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.
They don't recognize the difference because they do not understand that all sin is based upon rebellion. The action is not of consequence. Sin is a matter of the heart.
You are correct. Only a fool would believe that the things we do as parents have no effect on our children.
LOL, good thing for them that I carry around a pocket-sized version. Seriously, I don’t see the Bible as something you “thump” somebody with. It is a book to use to show them the love that Jesus Christ has for them.
BTW, you mentioned you're supporting a family of 5 on a single income, good for you. Not easy these days. Imagine how tough it would be if you didn't have someone home to run things while you're out "Hunting and Gathering". And since you're supporting 5 on that single income, imagine if you didn't have any jobs skills to speak of, and had to be both Mother and Father to a small kid.
I understand that it is tough for single moms. You will not make me believe that a single mom would ever be in a spot where exotic dancing is the only way to make ends meet.
I don't know about you, but I think I'd do anything I could to take care of my kid.
I agree.
Lastly, Also glad to see you admit you've been one of those Leeches. Gee, I wonder whose child's Mother was Dancing for you?
You asked me a question, I answered you. I never said I was proud of my past.
-Kevin
You answered your own question when you identified the partner that made the choice.
We are all sinners. But when confronted with that sin we either choose rebellion or repentance. The church has no option in this case. This woman has willingly chose rebellion... and to air it publicly.
Yeah, one of her worst choices was thinking Pastor Voyeur and his Web Surfing Spies were good Folks to leave her child with.
They ought to do what they can for the little gal. Pour Jesus in to her while they can.
I caint think when the Good Lord called all them youguns up on his lap and said "suffer the little childern to come unto me" he would a told some not to bother climbin up on account a what mamma was doin.
The trollop ort to be ashamed but so should them others.
It also allowed her the work hours to be there for her kid, more so than if she had been slinging Burgers (and getting her butt grabbed for free) at the local McDonalds for minimum wage.
You think Pastor Voyeur would have even allowed Junior into School if she couldn't pony up the cash? Not Friggin Likely.
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