Birmingham, USA - The decision by a Christian school to fire an unwed pregnant teacher has been upheld by a judge who ruled the school is exempt from federal pregnancy discrimination law.
U.S. District Judge William Acker Jr. said Tessana Lewis' pregnancy was a motivating factor in her firing but Covenant Classical School in Trace Crossing, as a religious institution, is exempt and can hire and fire based on its beliefs.
Lewis also lost her bid to win damages of $15,000 for mental anguish as a jury suggested.
School lawyers said Lewis was fired not over pregnancy but sex outside marriage, which violates Covenant's Bible-based principles.