Kindergartener's stripper-mom in church-school flap

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.

All the posts on this topic have much to be desired. There are several issues you all are missing. No where in the Bible does it say that stripping is immoral. It is a legitimate profession. She only has to work a few days a week - the rest of the week she is raising her daughter. Paying for a christian education for her daughter... sure is a lot better than sending her kid to the govt reeducation camps called public schools. It sure is better than a mother or father who dumps their kid in daycare all day while they go to some 9 to 5 job. Those parents sure aren't raising their kids with any sort of moral background. The parents who stick their kids in daycare are just showing their own kids that they don't care enough about them to raise their kids themselves... cowards. The illogical commentary on the ' moral ' question is just plain ridiculous. There are hundreds and thousands of people who are employed by corporations that arguably could be classified as ' immoral ' such as: Advertising Firms -- sell us things we don't really need - satisfying our greed. Far as I know greed is an abombination in God's eyes. Law Firms -- contribute to the destruction of our law system Weapons manufacturing companies - govt and commercial weapons mame and kill. I am totally pro gun, pro NRA, but bombs and guns are used to murder humans in war -- I think if I had to choose between killing for a living, or stripping, I would choose stripping. Automobile companies -- cars kill thousands of people a year Nurses / Doctors -- contribute to over 200,000 deaths a year Fast Food restaurants -- contribute to the disgusting fattening of Americans. Leading to death. Drug Companies - willingly market drugs so as a society we become dependant on drugs for all sorts of reasons - so those that take these drugs are like sheeple. You can argue the ' moral ' issue on everything under the sun. This woman is providing a legit service to men / women. The men and women go to her place of employment, get hot and bothered, and come home ready to make love to their husbands and wives... if the husbands and wives would do their job... in the bedroom - and take care of the body God gave them - going to the gym, and eating right -- the sex industry would be non existent... since they don't, men and women go to strip bars. I applaud this woman, and I hope she sues and wins. Nowhere in the school's creed does it say that the parents can not strip as a profession. A woman's body should be worshipped, ( biblical - Song of Solomon ) if of course it is worth looking at. There are so many fat, hideous looking women - it's no wonder men go to strip clubs - so they can view REAL WOMEN. If you can't wear a thong bikini on the beach, and bounce a quarter off your stomach and your butt -- SHAME ON YOU ... GOD IS VERY DISPLEASED!!!! God states CLEARLY THAT YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE, AND YOU SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. So, get off your lazy butts and get to the gym -- SHOW YOUR CHILDREN THAT YOU HAVE PRIDE IN YOUR APPEARANCE. It is no wonder the children of today have such low self esteem... thanks to their parents. Eating fastfood, and filling your ' TEMPLE ' with toxins that cause diseases - diabetes etc... is IMMORAL. The people who fit this category are just committing slow suicide -- children learn from their parents. This woman is a parent that many of you should model yourselves after. She is showing her daughter the importance of excellent health, the importance of raising your own children - not letting the govt do it, demonstrating the importance of a christian education. And most importantly she is there for her child which is a lot more than I can say about the rest of you that are bashing her. Her child is going to remember all the quality time that they had together... the rest of you all, and your kids are just going to remember that you dragged them out of bed so you could drop them off at a strange place so you can go to your dead end jobs -- while letting some stranger raise your kids... your kids will have such great memories of daycare ... but will have no memories of their own parents who are supposed to be the ones to raise and teach.... now that is what I call immoral. Note: The only way her profession was discovered was that one of the school's educrats went there to get their rocks off, and saw here there. What a bunch of hypocrisy.

There was a recent article here in Houston about a lesbian couple who were frustrated by their failure in trying to get a church to accept homosexuality.

I say that we all need to swallow our pride, get ready for stress, and join the Democrat party. Not just voting in the primaries but turning out for party meetings.

When asked what positions you hold, share with them your conservative principals. When asked, "what the hell do you think you are going to accomplish here", reply "I'm trying to change the party from within". See where that gets you. A lot of people seem to be trying it with the church.

By the way, if anyone here does take this advice, remember to vote in the general election for the candidate who most holds your positions on the issues even if it means crossing back over party lines to vote for Republicans ;^)

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