Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 8:24 am

A Catholic school on Philadelphia’s Main Line is feeling the heat from not only parents but the Democratic nominee for mayor after the school’s principal fired a popular teacher reportedly because she is in a same-sex marriage, reports WPVI. Margie Winters, who has taught at Waldron Mercy Academy in Merion Station for eight years, said she was called in and told to either resign or be fired after a parent at the school wrote a letter to a trustee complaining about her sexual orientation. According to Winters the school knew she was married to another woman when she took the job in 2007, and she refused to resign. “In my mind, for me to resign means that what this woman and what she believes the church is saying is true and I don’t believe that’s true,” said Winters. Jim Kenney — currently running for mayor of Philadelphia — has made Winter’s firing a campaign issue, attacking the Catholic Archdiocese which he believes pulled the strings that led to Winters’ firing.

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/07/angry-parents-hammer-catholic-school-for-firing-popular-teacher-over-same-sex-marriage/

The worst part is that in the US Catholic schools are allowed a "morality cluase" which they have the teachers sign on commencement of employment. THis allows them to fire anyoe who is actually something that conflicts with the backward, outdated subjective Catholic view on Morality. Which they interpret from the bible. A new clause created this year by the Roman Catholic Church now allows teachers to suport, abortion, gay marriage, contraceptio etc, but a teacher can still be barred if they are in a gay marriage or even using contraceptions. As it forbids the advocay of such positions. So if you are in a Gay marriage, you lose your job based on this absurd morality cluase. When is America going to wake up and provide equality for all teachers in all schools and not allow absurd exceptions for religious schools that base their morality on sexism, anti-homosexuality, slavery etc

by Tommy Monk Sat Jul 11, 2015 12:12 pm

The religion has been around do a lot longer than her... if she didn't like it then shouldn't be working there in the first place...

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 12:47 pm

Tommy Monk wrote:The religion has been around do a lot longer than her... if she didn't like it then shouldn't be working there in the first place...

1) No where does it state she did not like working there.

2) This "morality clause" is allowing a school to fire and discriminate against teachers. Not based on there work, skill or achievements, but on subjective moral religious views.

3) This rules means a person employed can support contraception, abortion and gay marriage, but they are forbidden to do or use them, by the teacher themselves. That means a teacher found out that they wore a condemn during sex could be sacked. That means a teacher who for arguments sake is a rape victim, could be sacked for having an abortion. The moral clause created is far removed from being ethical or moral, as it is openly discriminating against many people.

4) This schools is then allowed to sack a teacher over their warped ethnics over protected sex being forbidden for example. So a school is being allowed to place religious myths and believes over safe sex. That is appalling to even assert such a position and even worse for kids to believe unprotected sex is morally right over safe sex.

5) This is why all faiths schools should be banned. There is no evidence that a God exists, let alone the words found in the religious sources comes from an all powerful being. In fact such a being would openly advocate discrimination over equality. Which really goes against the very teachings of Jesus himself and are more on the teachings of Paul, the acts, the Old testament.

6) They are judging others and condemning them when according to their own faith, there is only one lawyer and judge, their God.

7) The school, is not even allowing for impartiality on these subjects. It is in fact denying that both views have fare hearing.

Cool

Such schools are not fit for purpose and no mythical religious claim to a divine law, should supersede human laws, which are based on morals and ethics.

9) The most telling point, many parents are angered over the decision, even though many will be Catholics themselves.

by Eilzel Sat Jul 11, 2015 1:02 pm

Firing somebody based on their private life which has no negative effect on them, anyone else or their work, is idiotic.

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 1:22 pm

Eilzel wrote:Firing somebody based on their private life which has no negative effect on them, anyone else or their work, is idiotic.

Very good point, but you have not seen the worst yet Eilzel.
This is jut one of the examples of things banned in the morality clause in one area of the US.

- "Publicly supporting abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, surrogate parenthood, direct sterilization, or so-called homosexual or same-sex marriage or unions."

- Having an abortion or helping another person have one.

- Sex outside of marriage or living together without being married.

- Viewing pornography or sharing any material, by email or texts, that is "lewd, indecent, sexually suggestive, or pornographic."

- Unlawful use of drugs

Can anyone see how many things within the bible as commands are missing from the above "morality clause"?

I shall give a couple of examples, where in Catholic schools they would be happy to employ people who have done the following:

Slavery
Rape
Child rape and abuse
Sexism
Genocide
Racism

Of course they could not place any of these views in the morality clause, because the bible does not condemn them.

Morality clause?
There is nothing moral about any of these views and of course the catholic Church has a long history of covering up child abuse.

by Tommy Monk Sat Jul 11, 2015 1:52 pm

I wasn't talking about whether she liked working there or not... I was talking about the rules being there longer than her...

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:01 pm

Tommy Monk wrote:I wasn't talking about whether she liked working there or not... I was talking about the rules being there longer than her...

According to Winters the school knew she was married to another woman when she took the job in 2007

by Eilzel Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:02 pm

If they had a rule saying you can't work at the school if you have African ancestry would you support it Tommy?

Why not let us know if you think this kind of 'rule' is morally acceptable?

^agreed didge, it is a warped mentality totally disconnected from decent ethics.

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:06 pm

Tommy Monk wrote:The religion has been around do a lot longer than her... if she didn't like it then shouldn't be working there in the first place...

they knew her domestic situation when they hired her Tommy. They can't fire her now.

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:10 pm

Eilzel wrote:If they had a rule saying you can't work at the school if you have African ancestry would you support it Tommy?

Why not let us know if you think this kind of 'rule' is morally acceptable?

^agreed didge, it is a warped mentality totally disconnected from decent ethics.

Evening of Afican descent is not against the teachings of the Catholic Church though, homosexuality is.
Before you all jump on me I am not supporting the decision. Far from it.

by Eilzel Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:14 pm

Nems wrote:
Eilzel wrote:If they had a rule saying you can't work at the school if you have African ancestry would you support it Tommy?

Why not let us know if you think this kind of 'rule' is morally acceptable?

^agreed didge, it is a warped mentality totally disconnected from decent ethics.

Evening of Afican descent is not against the teachings of the Catholic Church though, homosexuality is.
Before you all jump on me I am not supporting the decision. Far from it.

I understand that, I was more coming at tommy's angle whereby this was 'ok' because she 'knew the rules'.

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:17 pm

Eilzel wrote:
Nems wrote:

Evening of Afican descent is not against the teachings of the Catholic Church though, homosexuality is.
Before you all jump on me I am not supporting the decision. Far from it.

I understand that, I was more coming at tommy's angle whereby this was 'ok' because she 'knew the rules'.

School was wrong, it wasn't up to her to know the rules IMO. I can't think of anything to support the school.

by Eilzel Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:18 pm

Nems wrote:
Eilzel wrote:

I understand that, I was more coming at tommy's angle whereby this was 'ok' because she 'knew the rules'.

School was wrong, it wasn't up to her to know the rules IMO. I can't think of anything to support the school.

Personally considering she has been there a while, I think this is a spiteful backlash due to the recent publicity over the change in the law...

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:20 pm

Eilzel wrote:
Nems wrote:

School was wrong, it wasn't up to her to know the rules IMO. I can't think of anything to support the school.

Personally considering she has been there a while, I think this is a spiteful backlash due to the recent publicity over the change in the law...

Actually, now you say that,I think you are right

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:27 pm

Nems wrote:
Eilzel wrote:If they had a rule saying you can't work at the school if you have African ancestry would you support it Tommy?

Why not let us know if you think this kind of 'rule' is morally acceptable?

^agreed didge, it is a warped mentality totally disconnected from decent ethics.

Evening of Afican descent is not against the teachings of the Catholic Church though, homosexuality is.
Before you all jump on me I am not supporting the decision. Far from it.

To be fair Nems it is only a homosexual sexual act that is condemned in the bible. Though when you think about this, there is no command in the bible against homosexual people or for them to marry. Its the sexual act that is condemned. Of course many homosexuals perform sex, but not all of them. Marriage is just a contract of love between two people. So the bible has no grounds really to deny homosexual marriage. They can of course still continue to condemn any sexual acts committed by their man made myths.

It is only a sin when they have sex.

What really bugs me though is how hypocritical such a claim is to a "moral clause" where it fails to be moral at all. It is passing judgement onto things that the faith teaches itself that only their God can judge.
So I would question their right to deny same sex marriage off the bible, as where does it conflict?
There was no religious Christian ceremony until centuries later after Jesus lived.

by Tommy Monk Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:29 pm

If she's already been there ages with them already knowing her situation then this is of course highly questionable as to why now make a fuss.

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:38 pm

Tommy Monk wrote:If she's already been there ages with them already knowing her situation then this is of course highly questionable as to why now make a fuss.

Why is it questionable?
She has worked there since 2007, which is 8 years and was never asked to resign before .
It took one letter of complaint to the school about her being married, which caused the School to then claim use of the "morality clause" out of an unfounded fear of their own reputation being damaged among Catholics who live within the area if they did not act. As seen it has badly backfired on them. They could face a huge compensation claim here if they did already know she was married.
Its seems clear to me the school reacted off the complaint and wanted to be seen to act on this.
It was fear of the School's reputation that make them stupidly act here.

by Eilzel Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:40 pm

I think (and I could be wrong), that tommy meant firing her was questionable scratch

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:51 pm

Eilzel wrote:I think (and I could be wrong), that tommy meant firing her was questionable

Having read his post again, I think you are right Eilzel, though is difficult to know for sure with the "making a fuss part". So lets hope he clarifies. Laughing

I think my view on why this was done was because of the schools reputation.

It is was the ruling on Gay marriage, then that would be one of the most spiteful things to do possible to a long standing teacher at the school

by Tommy Monk Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:54 pm

Correct les...

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:57 pm

Tommy Monk wrote:Correct les...

Good to see you can change your mind and then recognize something wrong was done here to the teacher.

Well done

by Tommy Monk Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:59 pm

As I said...

If she's already been there ages with them already knowing her situation then this is of course highly questionable as to why now make a fuss.

by Guest Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:01 pm

Tommy Monk wrote:As I said...

If she's already been there ages with them already knowing her situation then this is of course highly questionable as to why now make a fuss.

Fuss is not a word I would chose to use here.
They acted off one letter or so they claim.
It could be they wanted rid of her because she was married but could not do anything after they employed her knowing she was. This gave them the excuse they needed but as seen it has backfired
All assumptions of course

by Eilzel Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:37 pm

Cuchulain wrote:
Eilzel wrote:I think (and I could be wrong), that tommy meant firing her was questionable

Having read his post again, I think you are right Eilzel, though is difficult to know for sure with the "making a fuss part". So lets hope he clarifies.

I think my view on why this was done was because of the schools reputation.

It is was the ruling on Gay marriage, then that would be one of the most spiteful things to do possible to a long standing teacher at the school

It would, but I don't see any other cause Neutral

by Irn Bru Sun Jul 12, 2015 10:14 pm

Her wife has written to the Pope about this and she wants an audience and I hope she gets it. You can read the letter here...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/philly-educator-fired-gay-appeals-pope-article-1.2287290

Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage Proxy

Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage Proxy

Get rid of the dinosaurs not the teacher.

#StandWithMargie

Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage

Re: Angry parents hammer Catholic school for firing popular teacher over same-sex marriage