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CNN Live Today

Stripper at Odds with Christian School

Aired May 15, 2002 - 14:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In California now, there's a mother's career and her choice of a career, right now at odds with the Christian kindergarten her daughter is attending.

The school believes what the mother does for a living does not fit with a "Christian commitment," quote, unquote, a form that they say she signed.

George Franco has the story now from our affiliate KOVR.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINA SILVAS, STRIPPER MOTHER: What went two by two?

ABIGAIL SILVAS, KINDERGARTEN STUDENT: The animals.

GEORGE FRANCO, KOVR CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Christina Silvas and 5-year-old daughter Abigail are reading from the Bible, reflecting on lessons learned at the Capital Christian School, part of the Capital Christian Center.

C. SILVAS: I believe the Bible calls for parents to be more hands on, and so that's the kind of parent I want to be. If I work three days a week so that I can be a full-time mom the rest of the time, then that's what I am going to do.

FRANCO: Christina Silvas, also known as Samantha, is an exotic dancer, stripping for the pleasure of men at Gold's Club Centerfolds, which she says led to Capital Christian Center giving Abigail until the end of the week to finish kindergarten, but it ends in June for the rest of the kids.

C. SILVAS: They said the only way that she could come back to school is if I stop dancing. Even if I were to stop dancing, I'm not sure I would want her in the school now.

FRANCO (on camera): The problem is, she signed paperwork when she put her little girl into school, which basically reiterated the philosophical and spiritual stance of Capital Christian Center.

(voice-over): It's a Christian commitment form, which speaks of God's truth, considered a contract by church members we found.

(on camera): So when you sign the paperwork... VALERIE ZEEMAN, CHURCH MEMBER: You know what the expectations are.

FRANCO: And that means abiding by a moral code?

ZEEMAN: Whatever the -- if you signed a paper, it's a contract.

FRANCO (voice-over): Christina Silvas, however, has consulted a lawyer.

C. SILVAS: They advised that we do a law suit and file a temporary restraining order against the school so they would not be allowed to expel her.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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