Second Lady Karen Pence has ruffled feathers by deciding to accept a part-time job as an art teacher. The reason? The school where she now works—Immanuel Christian School, a K-8 private school in Springfield, Virginia—prohibits its employees from living an LGBT lifestyle. But more than that, the school requires all of its applicants to agree to the following statement in the application—
“I understand that the term ‘marriage’ has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive covenant union as delineated in Scripture.”
According to Kara Brooks, Pence’s spokeswoman, Karen Pence previously taught at the school for over a decade when her husband was a member of Congress.
The Full Statement
Regardless of where individuals stand on the LGBT issue, one thing about Immanuel Christian School is clear—they believe all sexual activity outside of marriage (whether heterosexual or otherwise) is wrong. The full statement in their application reads:
“Moral misconduct which violates the bona fide occupational qualifications for employees includes, but is not limited to, such behaviors as the following: heterosexual activity outside of marriage (e.g., premarital sex, cohabitation, extramarital sex), homosexual or lesbian sexual activity, polygamy, transgender identity, any other violation of the unique roles of male and female, sexual harassment, use or viewing of pornographic material or websites, and sexual abuse or improprieties toward minors as defined by Scripture and federal or state law.”
The application lists other personal and professional standards required of would-be teachers and staff and also requires candidates to affirm faith in Jesus Christ and to put in writing a personal Christian testimony.
While none of this is out of the ordinary with regard to the hiring processes of most private Christian schools, Pence’s decision to return to her job has resulted in bitter and widespread backlash from liberal media outlets.
The Media’s Response
The Washington Post published the story with the headline, “The school that hired Karen Pence requires applicants to disavow gay marriage, trans identity.”
John King, a CNN panelist, asked if Karen Pence should continue to receive accommodations like Secret Service protection in light of her decision to work at a Christian school.
The Trevor Project, a pro-LGBTQ youth foundation, sent 100 copies of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo—a children’s book featuring “a Very Special boy bunny who falls in love with another boy bunny”—to Immanuel Christian School.
The Vice President’s Response
On Thursday, in an interview with Eternal Word Television Network, Vice President Pence responded to the media’s vitriolic response to his wife’s job, saying, “My wife and I have been in the public eye for quite a while. We’re used to the criticism. But I have to tell you, to see major news organizations attacking Christian education is deeply offensive to us.”
Last Friday, Vice President Pence addressed a crowd at the March for Life in Washington. During his speech, he said, “It’s a joy for us to be with you today. You know, my wife is many things. She’s a mother, she’s an advocate for military families, she’s traveled across this country. She’s even an art teacher at a Christian school. And I couldn’t be more proud of our Second Lady, my wife Karen Pence.”
The crowd responded to his words with hearty cheers.
Conclusion
Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska has spoken out against the left-wing response to Pence’s decision to return to teaching. “She doesn’t need a job. She’s doing this to love thy neighbor through art,” he said, referring to the backlash as a “fundamentally unAmerican way to think.”
Sadly, it is becoming less and less unAmerican to be hateful in the face of disagreement, especially pertaining to conservatives. Some have questioned whether the media takes offence at other religiously-motivated choices of politicians.
Robert Tuttle, professor of law and religion at George Washington Law School, has affirmed that the type of language Immanuel Christian School uses in its application for employees is consistent with conservative institutions. He also believes Karen Pence is “well within her rights” to accept the job and sign the statement.
Karen Pence has agreed to teach twice a week until the end of the semester. She said, “I am excited to be back in the classroom and doing what I love to do.”
Meanwhile, she and the Vice President will continue to field the criticism that apparently comes with both of their jobs.
