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Show A10 DAILY HERAID Sunday, May 25,2008 Personal convictions, professional requirements stir educators' dilemma L. Woodson Randy Mecca, a teacher at Irmo Many in the community are standHigh and sponsor for the Fellowship ing by the principal's decision to of Christian Athletes, supports the uphold his values. But others, includCOLUMBIA, S.C When Irmo ing groups, are calling for principal's decision and understands Walker's immediate removal because his dilemma. High's Eddie Walker revealed that his personal convictions forced him to they believe he is upholding intoler"It's very difficult to walk that line ance in a position charged with creat- between conforming to what the world quit his job as a beloved principal at the Columbia, S.C, school, he illumwants you to conform to as Christians," ing openness. inated frustrations that educators and he said. "It's no different from working "Professionally, ethically and relireligious leaders say are increasingly giously, this principal is way wrong," anywhere else when you have to put common challenges. said Patricia First, a professor of edu- up with corporate policies.' For Walker, who has been prinEducators are careful not to incation leadership at Qemson Univercipal since 2005, it was his religious sity in South Carolina. terject religion into the classroom, he said. But when you are forced to and professional values that kept him Abiding by the law, treating stufrom remaining in his job after a dents with respect and tempering go along with something you don't club was allowed to form on personal biases are the sorts of things believe in, that's a problem, Mecca she tries to teach future school admin- added. campus. He said it would promote "If they were to come and force me sexual behavior and run counter to istrators, "It's very clear, they must leave re- to not be able to mention Christianthe school's abstinence education. Walker announced last week that ligious beliefs at home," First said. "If ity under any circumstances, then I would have to leave," he said. he would step down at the end of the they can't do it, they should look for 2008-0Kenneth Stevenson, a University of school year. work in a religiously based school." Joy MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS gay-righ- gay-straig- ht South Carolina education professor, said the mission of educators is to integrity, intellectual spirit, justice and stewardship. But, more than ever before, he added, the ten sion between a person's moral beliefs and professional standards is rising. "What we're supposed to do is produce teachers and administrative leaders who are focused on making sure there is justice for all people," he said. "What you cant do, in a real sense, is know what's in the heart of people," Oran Smith, president of the Palmetto Family Council, applauds the reason for Walker's decision, saying it sends a message of "very sincere Christian beliefs." Kevin Lewis, director of graduate studies in the University of South Carolina's Department of Religious Studies, said he somewhat admires Walker MORJALDAY SALE mfe 75 OFF Selected Selected todies' Ladies', Petites' & Dillard's Cardigan Knits from August Silk & Hampshire Studio 40 Am off ( to up rr Woman Woman Dresses .l O V I. Yrvrlf A Rnmlwi n V Knit Shirts Orig. $30-$4- 4. i rf j. i nil H i ( n Kounarree & y Ladies Petites' & Dillard's n. V W 29.99 Better Sportswear Collections public life. Quoting the Bible, "Faith without works is dead," he said. Men s OFF i I for "being a person of some integrity." But, in some religious cultures, people interject anxiety and fear into Bible verses without taking a scholarly look, especially regarding sexual topics, he said. For that, he feels sorry for Walker and the people affected by his reasoning, but doesn't blame the principal. "It's hard to separate those anxieties from an objective reading of our inspired religious texts," he said. "As a person of faith, you really can't climb out of that." But as an educational professional, "we really expect more of him." The club's formation should act as a call to action for Christians, Smith added, not as reason to shrink from I --A .t... JL .19.99 Selected Juniors' Shorts Orig. r ri i k I": f $29-$3- OFF 'lib Young Men's Street, Skate & Collection Short-Sleev- h 1 4 I j fr L . Lj 1 i ' j! i'r . ( p fl - . 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