Ex-Employee Sues Christian College for Firing Over Pre-Marital Sex
Former Financial Aid Specialist Terry James is suing San Diego Christian College for wrongful termination after being fired for engaging in pre-marital sex.
James, who is currently six months pregnant, announced her lawsuit during a press conference in California on Thursday stating that she is suing the university due to discrimination on the account of gender, pregnancy, and marital status.
"San Diego Christian College did not show any mercy or grace towards me, and acted completely un-Christ-like," said James to reporters, according to ABC local news station KABC-TV Los Angeles. "They made more of a business decision than showing God's love."
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James' termination came after a human resource director addressed rumors swirling around the school about the pregnancy. James admitted that she was indeed pregnant and was given two choices to either quit or be fired.
The 29-year-old has enlisted Gloria Allred as her attorney. Allred is known for taking high profile controversial cases involving women's rights. In November 2012, she became the attorney for Natalie Khawan, twin sister to Jill Kelley in the General David Petraeus scandal, during her custody dispute for her son.
Allred claims that the school fired her client for violating what San Diego Christian College calls its "community covenant."
On the college website the school has a doctrinal position that all employees must adhere to. San Diego Christian College mandates that all job candidates sign a "community covenant" before they are hired. The covenant says that all employees will "abstain from sexually immoral behavior, including pre-marital sex, adultery, pornography and homosexuality. The covenant also states that Biblical character is highly valued and desired.
This is not the first Christian institution to enforce biblical ethics on employees. In 2008 Shorter University enforced a new policy called the Personal Lifestyle Statement. This new policy forbids pre-marital sex, adultery, and homosexual sex. Although many employees became disgruntled about the new policy, it was found to be completely legal in the state of Georgia.
Allred argues in the James case that gender discrimination is a huge proponent. "How would they know if a man was having pre-marital sex unless he was able to show that he was pregnant," she asked reporters.
In a strange turn of events, James boyfriend, now husband, was offered a position at the college with a human resource personnel knowing that he was James' boyfriend and a father-to-be.
The college has been advised by the institution's attorney to not speak to the media regarding the case. However the college has made clear that they expect all job seekers to share biblical teachings and traditional beliefs.
James and her husband are expecting a son in June.
