Court backs decision to bar Christian foster couple

[hymie]

Should Christians be stopped from fostering because of their faith/belief?

LINK

Why thankyou swc.

Whatever, swc. If rpo is saying that this couple should have been allowed to adopt then she is saying that homophobia (under the guise of religious rights) is more important than the rights of children in care who may be gay.

I don't know why she's taking that position, nor do I really care, but the end result is the same.

My points are: that the welfare of the child may be more at risk if said child remains in residential care. That the holding of a view shouldn't be an automatic reason for discrimination, and that the potential parents should be judged on their approach. And, something I haven't said before: that social workers therefore seem able to discriminate against any view held which does not accord with their own, simply on the grounds that such a view is held.

Any view could be held to be negative to welfare. Would you let a 10-year-old walk to school? Yes wrong, neglectful. No wrong, overprotective. Would you talk to a 12-year-old about condoms. Yes wrong, encouraging sex. No wrong, repressive. Social workers can at whim decide that any view which doesn't accord with theirs is undesirable.

This is very dangerous I think. Not conducive to the overall welfare of looked after children at all.

Yes, I'm feeling that there is a lack of thought, and it is a bit knee jerk.

I don't care what the justification is swc. If a couple cannot tell a child who thinks they might be gay that it's absolutely fine for them to feel that way, then they are unfit to be foster carers.

I don't care if they're christian, muslim, baha'i, jain or atheist.

It's the fact that they are unable to allow a child in their care to embrace their sexuality.

That is awfully sentimental. Would you rather a child stayed in a residential home?

I actually find the defence of this couple (and those people who wanted to turn a couple away from their hotel) astounding.

Why is homophobia acceptable because it comes with a veneer of religious respectability? I just don't understand that point of view

Sorry, X-posted. Yes I would. If the alternative was that a gay child was placed with them and was made to feel that they were sinful for being gay.

That's not sentimental, that's wanting the best outcome for the child.

I think you're the one that's being sentimental - awww look at them, aren't they loving and caring and good people, don't let a little bit of homophobia put you off.

Why do people use the term 'homophobia'? A phobia is classed as an irrational fear of something I'd say that most people don't actually suffer from a phobia of homosexuals and this includes Christians and people who follow other faiths. I suffer from claustrophobia which results in me feeling ill, shaky and panicky if I get stuck in a lift for any length of time. I'm not aware that people actually react to homosexual people in that way.

Are people not entitled to make their own decisions regarding sexual morality in society without being labelled as being irrational or bigoted? It may seem offensive to some people, but people are entitled to act according to their conscience.

It's a shame that some children are going to miss out on a perfectly decent home with this couple just because the social workers have some political agenda that they have to stick to.

I think in several instances, it would be better for a child to be in a residential home that was accepting of the child and supported them rightpissedoff than a foster home which hates them kissing their girlfriend/boyfriend and tells them all their actions are wrong!

swc - I think you are right about people holding moral beliefs re hoosexuality that may not automatically conflate with homophobia. However IMO it still doesn't make it OK for them to foster children for all the reasons stated. Unless they would swear (on the bible naturallly) that they would not tell or imply to a child a child that homosexulity was morally wrong.

Fostering, unlike adoption, is a job. You are caring for someone else's child on behalf of the parent and / or the state, and should not be imparting personal beliefs of that nature, anyway. And if SUPPORTING and caring for a child requires that you make them fel secure in who they are and positive about aspects of themselves that do not harm others, then that has to come first. The couple in question could not confirm, it seems, that they could allow a child to feel that homosexuality is 'acceptable'. They were honest about that - which is good.

ilovemyhens - what term would you like us to use? Bigot has already been rejected by some of your friends so I'm at a loss.

Someone who thinks homosexuality is a sin is called what in your book?

Homogynist?

About nine thousand in residential care.

I don't think a boy kissing his boyfriend really arises for 5-8yo.

Bigotry involves hatred and Christianity doesn't teach hatred. A true Christian would not judge the person because they themselves will be judged. What Christianity teaches is that sexual immorality is wrong and sinful. That doesn't just involve homosexuality, but adultery, pederasty and fornication.

Homosexuals are not merely the sum of their sexuality, they are people first and foremost and Christians are taught to love people and not judge.

ilovemyhens - it's not a 'political agenda' though. In an imperfect system it's one way of trying to make sure that some of the most vulnerable teens - those going through difficult times as they recognise their sexuality or who have been bullied or persecuted or disowned by parents as gay - get affirmation and support for who they are, not told the fulfillment of thier desires and love is morally wrong.

Many Looked After children are refugees, unaccompanied minors, who have come from countries where homosexuality is a serious offence. So fragile if they are et with foster parents who also disappove morally.

Teenagers are so sensitive to nuances of disapproval. This is abot vulnerable people.

And truly, I know how bad some foster homes are. Some of our refugee particpants are treated apallingly by foster carers.

I think you're wrong rpo. I know children of that age who were pretty sure of what their sexuality was about. And the fact that their parents made them feel okay about it has meant that they've grown up happy with who they are.

At the care home I used to work in I made friends with a nice chap and attended his civil partnership ceremony. Him and his partner were nice people.

There were also several people there who were divorced, one whos partner had been prosecuted for having sex with sheep and one who was a Christian, but who was having an affair with someone.

All these people were my colleagues and some were friends.

I'm a Christian, but would never judge these people because I've done my fair share of things I'm not proud of myself, so who am I to judge anyone?

Not all Christians are full of hell fire and hatred you know. I don't get the impression that this foster couple are either.

ilovemyhens - in an ideal world

Sadly, many CHristians, in evangelical churches, are taught that homosexuality is a sin and not to be tolerated.

It isn't as simple as all that.

So a confused young foster child would have it carefully and patiently explained, if they became upset and talked about their homosexual feelings, that although the foster carers believe homosexulaity to be alongside adultery, pederasty (FFS) and fornication to be wrong and sinful, the foster carers neverthe less support the teen because they hate the sin (the teenagers inner feelings and desires) not the sinner. And that although the carer believes them to be, indeed, a 'sinner' not to worry because they care all the same.

Somehow, as a teenager, I don't think I would have beenhappy with that. Told that my feelings / behaviour are in a category with pederasty and that i am a sinner.

It's a very very patronising approach. people who ar not of that particular version of christian belief ought not to have to be subjected to it, when they are a powerless minor.

These are anecdotes biscuit, to be matched by anecdotes of horror and abuse from residential homes.

I don't think you want to go down that road here.