Sex, Religion and Bias

A Catholic school teacher in New York was fired the other day for breach of contract. Her breach? Showing up one day noticeably in an advanced stage of pregnancy. To make matters worse, the teacher is a single woman. The ACLU has entered the fray claiming discrimination. No wonder Lady Justice wears a blindfold.

I have been a card carrying member of both the Catholic church and the ACLU so it is difficult for me to take sides on the issue. I have the same dilemma when a St. Louis sports team plays their rivals from Chicago although I am considered by some to be a tourist because I didn’t attend high school in St. Louis. But that’s another story for another time.

The Catholic team premises their offense on an issue of morality and values. The teachers’ handbook states that each teacher will “convey the teachings of the Catholic faith by his or her words and actions.” (MSNBC.com) In other words the Catholic team teaches that sex between unmarried individuals is forbidden and immoral. Since the pregnancy was caused by sexual activity between unmarried individuals, the pregnancy is forbidden and a cause for concern since the little kindergarten students under the tutelage of this lady of ill repute will be exposed to the wrong game plan. I’m sure they will reflect on the issue of the teacher’s marital status while they eat their crayons and paste.

The ACLU mounts a strong defense. Pregnant single female teachers are easy to detect, while it is difficult to ascertain if single male teachers are engaging in illicit sexual activity. Besides if the male shows up with a big belly, he can always blame it on beer. So more female teachers face the prospect of disciplinary measures than their male counterpart. The defense is bolstered by a previous win in a similar case in Buffalo, N.Y. A Catholic Charities program was found to have violated federal anti-discrimination laws after demoting a pregnant single female.

So the female Catholic teacher is placed in a fourth down and long situation. She can abstain from sex, which is pretty boring even for a teacher. She can continue to work until her condition becomes obvious at which time she will be terminated. She can choose abortion which is the big no-no of the church. Not many good options there.

Sex outside of marriage has always been a sticky situation for the church. Even sex within the marital bed is frowned upon if contraceptives are used. Alternative lifestyle sex? Don’t even go there. Seminarians are now quizzed on sexual tendencies in an effort to separate the chaff from the wheat. Heterosexual candidates for the priesthood can remain, because it is assumed that they can control their urges and remain celibate. Homosexuals have an evil tendency and will undoubtedly seek relief. Is it not just possible in the grand scheme of things, that members of both groups are equally capable of being celibate or non celibate? Since males and females alike have been victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the clergy, I have difficulty suspecting a candidates qualification or potential based solely on sexual orientation.

I have a couple of questions for the church. First, as each day passes, the ranks of priests and Catholic school teachers dwindle. Where will the replacements come from in order to serve a growing Catholic population? Second, the Bible informs us that Adam and Eve only had two sons, Cain and Able. No mention of daughters anywhere. How did we end up with so many people?