Christian School Sued for Firing Unwed Pregnant Teacher

A Christian school in Texas is facing a lawsuit for firing a teacher who became pregnant out of wedlock.

Heritage Christian Academy in Rockwall, Texas, requires teachers and other employees to agree to a biblically based code of conduct upon hiring. School leaders say former teacher Cathy Samford violated that code.

"We all have different views and interpretations," Samford said. "It's not necessarily the Christian thing to do to throw somebody aside because of those."

School officials said, however, she could not remain as a teacher because her behavior sets a bad example for students.

Samford's attorney, Colin Walsh, said the case comes down to laws about pregnancy.

"You can't discriminate against someone who's pregnant or has a pregnancy-related medical condition. That is both state and federal law," Walsh said.

Liberty Institute's Jeff Mateer, who is representing Heritage Christian Academy, said this case is really about religious liberty.

Mateer cited a recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, saying it supports the school's right to make employment decisions based on its own standards as a religious institution.

Mateer talked more about the case on CBN News Channel Morning News, April 17.