 Posted Saturday, June 26, 2004 9:41 PM
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The article referenced above is likely to dissapear from unpaid access shortly. So here it is, slightly edited, from the Boston Herald:
They blindsided her with Science: Gay teacher stripped of her church affiliation
By Franci Richardson
Friday, June 25, 2004
The spiritual teacher stripped of her Christian Science affiliation after refusing to repent for marrying her lesbian partner of 10 years is now considering suing.
``I have three names of attorneys that were recommended and I just feel like that maybe I should call one of them,'' Kathleen Clementson, 62, said from her Florida home yesterday.
Clementson married Suzanne Nightingale, 49, in a private morning ceremony May 20 on a beach in Brewster, three days after state law granted gay and lesbian couples the right to apply for licenses.
When a wire service picture of their vows circulated through the country, Clementson was soon reprimanded by the church board who ordered her to repent. When she refused, she was stripped of her teaching credentials and her membership.
The First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston declined comment yesterday. Church officials have told Clementson that her students have been deemed to have had no primary instruction.
Both Clementson and Nightingale said they believe the church should update its laws and support the gay community.
``They're governed by a little thin book of rules and the rules haven't been changed,'' said Nightingale. ``One of those rules is that people should be legally married. There was opportunity to legally marry. We went to Massachusetts to be legally married. We are now legally married. So what rule did we break?''
Several years ago, church officials accused Clementson of living a lesbian lifestyle, a time that provoked them to define their relationship.
``I had a very difficult time labeling myself a lesbian,'' Clementson said, ``but then I (identified when I read) that one's primary affectional orientation and commitment is toward other women. It's not about sex, it's about family and commitment.''
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Posted Friday, December 10, 2004 10:37 AM
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From the Boston Herald (Moderator has cut out some portions to avoid copyright infringement.)
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Christian Science church exec: Cuts over
By Marie Szaniszlo
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
After a year of financial turmoil, the cutbacks at the First Church of Christ, Scientist are ``largely completed,'' said its new board chairwoman yesterday.
``There will be tweaks, but . . . fundamentally, you're going to see us staying the course,'' said Mary Trammell, whose roles include editor-in-chief of The Christian Science Journal, the Christian Science Sentinel and The Herald of Christian Science.
Trammell of Coral Gables, Fla., was elected head of the church's five-member Board of Directors after her predecessor, Virginia S. Harris, retired Saturday after 12 years as chairwoman, a position that will now rotate annually.
<snip>
This year, the church cut more than 120 jobs, scaled back its Pulitzer Prize-winning Christian Science Monitor and sold its shortwave station, WSHB, South Carolina, after expenses exceeded revenues in fiscal 2003 by almost $8 million, its first financial loss in a decade.
<snip>
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Hope the above is legal, Moderator. If not, then delete some minor phrase or two. I just thought people would be interested to know there is GOOD NEWS* at TMC! Fewer members, less revenue, but Praise Mrs. Eddy! the "M"ovement goes forward! The Boston Globe had an article on Dec. 7, put it had slipped into the for-fee category before I could retrieve it, and I'll be danged if I'm going to give that pathetic vassal of the NY Timess** any of MY money! Anyway, the summary mentioned only the change in leadership, not the financial imbroglio.
Interesting restructuring of the chairman's post. It's weakened in that it will rotate around the board, but note that she gets control over the religious periodicals!
There's an "Anonymous" who occasionally posts, and he frequently suggests I visit the MBE Library for the Detrement of Humanity.*** I am curious if he has information about the kind of revenue-stream those hoards of metaphysics-and-history-hungry customers are producing there. Nothing like fancy real estate**** to "feed the famished affections!"
My prediction (no, this ain't prophecy) for the next TMC financial scandal: they consolidate their operations in one of the buildings (probably the Colonade), and rent out another (probably the high-rise at 175 Huntington) to commercial tenants. And this will generate the usual whining from some bunch of old biddies, support from other True Believers, and more defections from a third group.
Occasionally ol MBE hit upon a valid point: "The only power of evil is to destroy itself" (S&H 186:18). And the beat goes on, but I wouldn't mind if it picked up the pace a bit.
* "Good News" in this context is not to be confused as "Gospel" in any way!
** One wag calls it "the billion-dollar country cottage of the NY Times"
*** I associate Eddy with using the word "mankind" ("...and bless mankind, and govern him") more than the word "humanity." But TMC, like so many liberal groups, appears to be in the thrall of gender-free lingo.
**** Christian Scientists don't believe in physical reality, but prime reality estate is a different matter, entirely!
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Posted Friday, December 10, 2004 5:32 PM
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Very interesting article, fH, and important enough information that I didn't just delete it, although I probably should have since you posted the whole thing. PLEASE don't post entire articles, as we don't want to risk copyright infringement.
Also, fH, please avoid the depth of sarcasm that you show in the above post. It's insulting and hurtful to Christian Scientists who visit here and detracts from the credibility of your other posts, which are usually well written and informative.
Thanks,
Linda (Moderator)
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Posted Friday, December 10, 2004 7:42 PM
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Posted Friday, December 10, 2004 8:52 PM
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Thank.....you......Linda!!
fH continues to believe we're all fascinated by his personal prejudices and tiresome repartee on the subject of Christian Science. Ennui sets in everytime I see his signature on a post even before an attempt is made to dig out the few ideas worth consideration.
You've often stated that Christian Scientists are 'welcome' here. I, for one, find them interesting but they do not stick around for long and who can blame them?
Nyoka
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Posted Saturday, December 11, 2004 12:21 AM
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Okay, mea culpa!
I'll watch my tone. But it does strike me as a pattern that every twenty years or so TMC attempts a major enterprise to inject new life into their deteiorating situation. In the 60's, it was the I.M. Pei-designed "Church Center." In the 80's, it was the cable-broadcast imbroglio, followed shortly after by the controversy over the Bliss biography of MBE. And most recently, the building of the MBE Library.
Nothing has turned CS around, and I don't think anything can, or will. I do believe that as the religion continues to shrink, they will have less need for staff and services (outsourcing may factor in here), and that will free up office space. So why not rent it out? They already rent the basement of the Publishing Society building to NStar Electric, which uses the space to produce air conditioning and chilled water for the nearby Prudential Center complex.
I posted the whole thing because I'm not sure how long the Herald will keep it on-line. Eventually, it's available only to subscribers. I thought the Moderator would tweak it to make it acceptable--next time I'll do that myself.
BTW, please note that my harshest sarcasm is reserved not for CS, but the Boston Globe. I stand by my invective regarding that.
P.S. Nyoka, we've been in accord on other things before, haven't we?
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Posted Saturday, December 11, 2004 8:30 AM
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Whoa --
Please don't waste time and energy criticizing one another's posts. How can anyone feel comfortable expressing their thoughts when they are only shredded by fellow posters? I am certain fH has good reason for his comments -- they need not be bashed. . . . If you disagree, just give us your opinion, without ramming his. It's a waste of everyone's time to log on here only to read someone's hammering of another.
I thought we were here to help one another and I thought this was a site based on Christianity. Que Pasa? --- Grace
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Posted Saturday, December 11, 2004 8:42 AM
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Grace...
I think Linda was speaking of 'sarcasm' and fH's messages of derision, contempt, and ridicule which don't add to the process here. Describing Christian Science as 'crud' doesn't help either. I think that was your description. These types of 'opinions' do not set well with practicing Christian Scientists...and that's my 'opinion.'
Linda, you won't delete 'crud' or 'dung,' but 'apcray' seems to bother you. I suppose it's the connection to excrement that puts it on your no-no list.
Nyoka
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Posted Saturday, December 11, 2004 6:22 PM
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Nyoka,
Crud and Christian Science seem like a good match to me, as well as the other word you used, but which I cannot spell -- and that's my "opinion". As I stated before, it seems to me we all have a right to our own "opinions" and have all benefitted from the opinions expressed by others.
Additionally, while Christian Scientists are welcome here, I don't think they'd appreciate it much if we all walked on eggshells to keep them happy. They CERTAINLY don't pull any punches in expressing their opinions and while they tend to speak gently and kindly, their actions have proven horrendous and in some cases even fatal in the past. I for one do not wish to try and "keep them happy" just so they will keep trying to convince people to remain in their church via this forum. People have died in the name of Christian Science and the "loving" intentions of the ignorance perpetuated thereby. I for one have almost lost a child because of an untreated illness and until the day I die, I will never forgive myself for praying while my child screamed so loud that the neighbors came and threatened to call child protective services if I didn't take my child to the doctor. Literally, within a day of antibiotics, he was fine. I know you will find some way to blame me personally rather than Christian Science -- and that's fine -- but if one person, just one, wakes up to the dangers of Christian Science and saves a child by reading the strong language on this forum, then I think we've accomplished something really worth doing. Crud is actually a gentle word for what I really believe Christian Science to be, and with good reason. I for one am dropping this conversation now, and this forum. Too much people bashing and not enough "beef". Go ahead and take the last word -- it's all yours.
-- Grace
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Posted Saturday, December 11, 2004 8:45 PM
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| Merry Christmas, Grace.....
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