Christian School Boycotted for Biblical Beliefs as Karen Pence Controversy Far From Over

A Christian school at the center of a recent media-driven controversy over biblical beliefs is now being blacklisted by another school. 

Sheridan School in Washington, DC, sent an email to parents announcing the school will no longer participate in any sports activities at Immanuel Christian School, the school where Second Lady Karen Pence teaches. The decision stems from Immanuel's stance on human sexuality. 

Jessica Donovan, who serves as the head of Sheridan, has stated she believes Immanuel Christian School has "exclusionary policies" that can result in Sheridan students feeling a sense of hostility if they enter Immanuel's facilities. 

The American Conservative was able to obtain the letter sent to parents.  

"Along with many of you, we learned last week that Immanuel Christian School, a school in our athletic conference, has a written policy prohibiting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, parents and teachers," wrote Donovan. 

"We understood that some students did not feel safe entering a school that bans LGBTQ parents, students or even families that support LGBTQ rights. Forcing our children to choose between an environment in which they feel unsafe or staying home was not an option," she wrote.

The controversy is a result of Immanuel's employment application requirement. The Christian school requires employees to sign an agreement to follow biblical values which includes living "a personal life of moral purity" and believing "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 the Washington Post. 

Liberal media outlets have targeted Karen Pence, wife of US Vice President Mike Pence, for her decision to work at the institution, calling her "homophobic."

Donovan claims the decision for the separation is not because of "ideals of Christianity." But the very policies she opposes are based on biblical values shared by a broad and extensive sector of Christianity.  

Sheridan is still willing to play Immanuel at Sheridan facilities, but the school's students "will wear their rainbow socks in support of LGBTQ rights," and "some have made banners that respectfully celebrate LGBTQ rights," according to the letter.