Controversy Over ‘Christian-Only’ Rule for Preschool Teachers

We are outraged by the immoral and short-sighted behavior of the leadership of First Presbyterian Church. Our daughters attended the nursery school, and our 3-year-old son is completing his first year. The school has been a warm and caring environment renowned throughout the community for more than 20 years. Although the children have developed academic and creative skills appropriate for their ages, the nurturing and moral/ethical standards set by the teachers has led to a self-confidence far beyond the children’s years. They have learned to respect each other as individuals, enriched by their diversity.

We sent our children to this school fully understanding that it was a Christian school. A school, however, which practiced the Christian teaching of toleration for others and their beliefs. The mandate for the creation of the school was to serve the community and all of its children under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church and its teachings. The religion of a teacher was not a consideration, only her ability and caring for the children.

Why then have the church leaders now required the teachers to sign an affirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, which is tantamount to a denial of faith for the five Jewish teachers on the staff? This is a regressive morality, more appropriate for the 1950s with its loyalty oaths than for the 1980s.

The heroes in this unfortunate situation are the 14 teachers and the director who obeyed a higher morality by resigning, rather than accepting this unjust edict. Sadly, everyone is the loser. The church, the staff, the community, and most of all, the children. And this was done in the name of religion.

FREDERIC MANDELL

ROSNY MANDELL

Studio City