Catholic school softball coach fired because she works at Planned Parenthood

[flygal]

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/education/central-assistant-coach-who-works-at-planned-parenthood-told-not/article_89369dc0-baa9-567c-8a02-192045d9c16d.html

An assistant softball coach at Billings Central Catholic High School said she was dismissed Monday because of her work at Planned Parenthood.

Tarn Duff, 26, was an unpaid volunteer during the Rams’ 2012 season and received about $1,500 for her work coaching hitters and outfielders during the 2013 season.

Duff, of Billings, said head coach Coleman Rockwell delivered the news to her Monday morning.

“The only reason they gave me was that I work at Planned Parenthood,” she said.



Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/education/central-assistant-coach-who-works-at-planned-parenthood-told-not/article_89369dc0-baa9-567c-8a02-192045d9c16d.html#ixzz2tlqQu9yo

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Makes sense

I don't agree with the Catholic Church on abortion AT ALL - but I understand why a Catholic School would fire someone over this. Now if Planned Parenthood fired someone for volunteering in a Catholic Church - I'd take issue with that. They are secular and serve all women.

But the Catholic Church serves only 'some' women who are in alignment with their belief (cough cough) system.

[theHandpuppet]

2. But at what point can you discriminate on the basis of "religious liberty"?

That's a mighty slippery slope.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. I went to a Catholic High School

And University as a non-catholic.

I knew the rules. I knew better than to extol the virtues of abortion (and virtues do exist imho) in Dr. Water's philosophy class.

And honestly - if I found out someone worked in my UU Church here in NJ was in alignment Rush Limpballs or Glenn Beck and moonlighting as an IndieTeaPublican after IndieTeaPublican types shot up one of our Church's in TN during a performance of Annie, and defaced the Church I 'converted' to UU'ism in up in Rochester NY (all because of a rainbow flag) -

I'd demand our Pastor eject them.

Is it intolerant? You betcha. But I gave $2000 to my Church last year and I don't want my money going to people 'like that'.

[theHandpuppet]

4. Like I said, it's a slippery slope

When you can fire people on the basis of "religious liberty", just where does it stop? LGBTs, mixed marriages, being a single Mom, belonging to another religion or political party, et al? Lawmakers in several states are now taking that principle to the extreme, introducing legislation that anyone can be denied even basic services on the basis of "religious liberty".

Ms. Duff was fired for working at the Billings Planned Parenthood office, which isn't actually an abortion provider but does provide abortion counseling as well as a variety of critical health services for both women and men in the Billings area. Recently, another teacher at a Catholic school in Montana was fired because she was pregnant and unmarried. So I guess you can get fired for being pregnant OR for working at Planned Parenthood. The mind boggles.

I foresee another contribution to Planned Parenthood in my future.

Good luck, Ms. Duff. I hope you find another coaching job where your commitment to young women will be appreciated and you won't have to be dictated to by a bunch of bigoted overseers.

(another excerpt from article)

“My mission was to share my knowledge of softball with (players),” she said. “I never mixed that with my personal life, and never put my beliefs on them.”

“I’m not upset that I lost my job,” she said. “I’m upset that I won’t get to be there for the girls. I like to consider myself a role model to young girls, that hard work and dedication will get you places you want to go in life. That’s what I love about softball — you can have so many life experiences with just how the game is played. When you have teammates, you have family for life.”

Stacey Anderson, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Montana, issued this statement: “Our hearts go out to Tarn Duff whom we know to be an exemplary employee and dedicated to improving the lives of Montana women and teens.

“Planned Parenthood of Montana provides health care and education to thousands of patients each year, many of whom would otherwise not have access to breast and cervical cancer screenings, STD tests, birth control, and other essential health care. For over 40 years we have proudly helped the women and families of Billing lead healthier lives and make informed and responsible decisions about their health and well-being.”