Christian school fires pregnant teacher for 'fornication' with husband-to-be

 

 

By Mail Foreign Service

Last updated at 6:46 PM on 14th June 2010

 

 

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When Christian school teacher Jarretta Hamilton informed her employers that she was pregnant, she expected to have a discussion about maternity leave.

Instead, she was asked when her baby was conceived, and, after admitting it was three weeks before her wedding, she was fired.

Mrs Hamilton is now suing Southland Christian School, in St Cloud, Florida, over the loss of her job in April 2009, and for emotional stress caused when the school released details about why she was dismissed.

 

Fired: Jarretta Hamilton with her husband Samuel Treftz and daughter Sarah on the Today TV show

 

 

 

Mrs Hamilton and her husband of 16 months, Samuel Treftz, appeared on the Today show today, along with 18-month-old Sarah, telling presenter Ann Curry that the termination violated federal anti-discrimination laws.

 

In a pending lawsuit, the couple also claim the school’s principal, Jon Ennis, invaded Mrs Hamilton’s privacy by telling other teachers and the parents of her students the exact reason she was fired.

'When they let me go, they told the entire staff in a staff meeting that I had been fired and the reason why they let me go. And then they called all of my parents to my fourth-grade students and told them as well,' Mrs Hamilton said.

Jarretta Hamilton with baby Sarah. The teacher was fired after admitting her daughter was conceived before marriage

 

'I was only requesting a standard six weeks maternity leave, and as the conversation progressed, he said, "I’m just trying to do the math here. When did you get married?"

'I said Feb 20,' she continued.

 

'He said, "Well, did you conceive prior to marriage?" I answered and I told him, "Yes".'

Mrs Hamilton - a widow with five children from her first marriage - said she answered as she was so surprised by the personal question.

'I was absolutely shocked. It came out of nowhere. I was honest about it. I didn’t know it would cost me my job,' she said.

 

Dismissed: The letter from Southland Christian School to Mrs Hamilton's attorney

 

A week later, she was notified that she was terminated.

 

The school, which has strict morality rules, which ban teachers from ‘fornication’ before marriage, said Mrs Hamilton was informed of the values when she was hired as a fourth-grade teacher in January 2008.

In a letter to Mrs Hamilton's attorney, school administrator Julie Ennis said: ‘Jarretta was asked not to return because of a moral issue that was disregarded, namely fornication - sex outside of marriage.

 

Strict moral views: Southland Christian School where Mrs Hamilton was a fourth grade teacher

 

'Our student handbook requires all students to sign they will refrain from immoral actions or risk expulsion, and we can expect no less from the teachers in leadership at Southland Christian School.

 

‘We request that Jarretta withdraw her complaint and consider the testimony of the Lord.’

If it wasn't that, it would have been the fact they're an interracial couple. Christians love to get all up in other peoples' business.

What year is this?:dozey:

If the school doesn't respect what she did, they have every right to fire her. She can get a job at another school I'm sure.

If the school doesn't respect what she did, they have every right to fire her. She can get a job at another school I'm sure.

 

It still beggars belief that it's happening in this day and age! This is 2010, not 1810!:dozey:

It still beggars belief that it's happening in this day and age! This is 2010, not 1810!:dozey:

 

I don't disagree that she shouldn't be fired for it, but it's the school's decision.

I don't disagree that she shouldn't be fired for it, but it's the school's decision.

 

Well let's hope the school doesn't burn "witches" too!:stunned:

I heard about this. Apparently if she didn't have tenure the school doesn't need a reason to fire her- they can just do it whenever they want for whatever the reason. So if that's the case, then technically there's nothing wrong with what they did.

I heard about this. Apparently if she didn't have tenure the school doesn't need a reason to fire her- they can just do it whenever they want for whatever the reason. So if that's the case, then technically there's nothing wrong with what they did.

 

Basing morality off of a set of rules is immature and foolish.

MARK! Na ah ah *shakes finger*

 

These people live by their Christian likeness. They do not burn witches. They let the Lord Jesus Christ take care of that :smug:

 

 

 

:sick:

 

 

LOL Christians can be such a circus act sometimes.

It's sad that many young Christians (ages 18-25) don't find both unmarried and virgin partners in order to form a family with the same values. What the heck has happened to the moral values in society?...

^are you saying that you wouldn't get married to the women you love if she wasn't a virgin?:inquisitive:

What year is this?:dozey:

 

That.

 

 

 

This is why I can't stand religious people. They're nuts.

Typical religious bullshit.

 

This happened about 45 minutes from my home town. You see the southern ignorance that I have to deal with on a daily basis.

^are you saying that you wouldn't get married to the women you love if she wasn't a virgin?:inquisitive:

That applies to Christians who believe in sex after marriage.

Before ye get confused I think he is trying to say he is not Christian (bc I did at first too)

 

ANYWHO lolol her attorney is Mr Gay lol. I don't know. I'm a bit sugar high from brownies I made.

If the school doesn't respect what she did, they have every right to fire her. She can get a job at another school I'm sure.

 

firing without good cause = severence. at least that's how it goes in my country.