“Though they might push for it, homosexual couples—and all couples for that matter—possess no right to adopt. Rather, children have a right to grow up with the love that only a mother and a father can jointly provide. Adoption placements should acknowledge that placing a child in a family structure with a married mother and father is in the child’s best interest. Unfortunately, current anti-discrimination policies and judicial decisions often negate the best interest of children in the name of tolerance and equality.” Focus on the Family
We can’t say we didn’t see it all coming when Obergefell became the law of the land in 2015. Same-sex marriage became legal. What became freedom for gays and lesbians to marry became a threat to religious freedom, first regarding the meaning of marriage, and later on, the meaning of family.
But even before Obergefell, SCOTUS had already upheld one lawsuit against a wedding photographer unwilling to compromise his faith and provide services for a gay wedding. Other suits against florists, bakers, and wedding planners followed. Some are pending before the court.
Also under attack are religiously based adoption agencies who refuse to place children in homes with parents other than a married mother and father.
And that had also begun before Obergefell. In 2006, first, in Massachusetts, then, in San Francisco, Catholic Charities ended adoption services rather than violate their consciences by placing children in same-sex households.
In 2010, the District of Columbia ended its partnership with Catholic Charities for the purposes of foster care and adoption because the agency refused to accommodate same-sex parents.
And in 2011, all Catholic Charities affiliates closed in Illinois rather than follow the new law. (USCCB) When they closed, 2,000 children (11 percent of those awaiting adoption in that state) were displaced.
Since San Francisco acted, California has shut down faith-based agencies statewide.
And it continues.
According to Travis Weber, the ACLU is currently suing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Children’s Services Agency for allowing religious agencies to follow their consciences.
As Illinois’s displaced children show, closing religiously based adoption agencies is bad for kids. Success for the ACLU in other states will displace more kids and cause more harm:
Weber says, “Private, faith-based organizations fulfill a vital role in adoption services. There are over 1,000 private foster care and adoption agencies in the country. Many of these are faith-based providers, who not only provide the same legal and material support needed throughout the adoption process as the state agencies, but also offer spiritual, emotional, and relational support that the government is incapable of providing. Yet to continue to do this, they must remain free and able to operate according to the tenets of their faith.”
Losing these faith-based agencies, he says, would mean that children most in need will suffer the most.
“[P]rivate religious agencies often provide more than merely run-of-the-mill basic adoption services. For example, Catholic Charities has taken a deliberate interest in special needs or “hard-to-place” children and focused their efforts on children in this classification.”
And this comes at a time when there aren’t enough foster parents: ““Nationwide we’re facing a shortage of families willing to provide homes to foster kids,” . . . [T]he state of Michigan has been relying on private agencies . . . to recruit more foster families,” says The National Catholic Register.
But the news is not all bleak.
Weber notes that South and North Dakota, Virginia, Alabama, and Michigan have all passed laws protecting faith-based agencies to operate in compliance with their religious convictions. NBC news adds Texas to that list as it reports that Oklahoma, Georgia, and Kansas are considering similar bills.
Remember, none of the laws protecting faith-based agencies prevents a same-sex couple from adopting. Just as gay and lesbian couples could choose another photographer, florist, baker, and wedding planner, same-sex couples can find another adoption agency.
This isn’t about the children.
It isn’t about marriage.
It’s about enforcing a singular point of view from which, the enforcers say, we may not deviate.
For the sake of the children, may we never depart from our faith.
See Also:
The National Review
The Hill
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Follow this link for more information about adoption: https://millionmilesecrets.com/guides/travel-for-adoption/
Wow I had no idea all this was going on. I never hear about it in the news.
That’s just scary, Christina. It’s not in the news. I might not know if our family weren’t experiencing adoption right now. Thanks for commenting! God bless!
The time is rapidly approaching where Christians will be compelled to keep their faith within the walls of their churches. Your post above informs us the ongoing effort to suppress Christians in the free exercise of their faith continues in the US. It is a secular tyranny that reminds us of the persecutions of Christians in ancient, pagan Rome.
I fear that someday we may not be able to speak out even within the walls of our churches. Thanks for commenting! God bless!
You are a thorn in the systems side Nancy.
I am encouraged when I see people stand up for themselves and say out loud what cheeses them off.
The law is fast becoming the ruler again and we, the citizen, will lose all our common rights.
I believe larryzd is right when he said your faith will one day have to be spoken in secret; we will return to the early church of acts because Christianity is outlawed.
The new world order is at the door, all they are waiting for is the economic collapse so they can enforce their solution, which is, put Roman back in charge.
Good to see you out on the water.
Gotta get out of the boat! Thank you! God bless!
I didn’t know all that was going on! In Canada there is much going on too. Staying steadfast in our faith and getting into God’s word deeper so we continue to evoke the fruit of the Spirit during times of adversity continues to be so important. Thanks for ‘stepping out of the boat’ too!
Thanks for commenting, Lynn. It’s crucial for us Americans to keep an eye on what’s happening in Canada too! And our Christian communities need to stay close as we each stay in His Word! God bless!
I’ve completed training through my county’s social services in Michigan, and this is absolutely correct. That state works closely with faith-based agencies, not just Catholic Charities, but also Lutheran and Jewish agencies, because these organizations – driven by their faith – have always led in the care of children, homeless, and refugees, to name a few groups. I’m glad more states are adopting bills that will protect the free exercise of conscience by these agencies, so that adoptions can continue in ways that are best for the children.
Thanks for sharing your experience. A federal law backed up by a SCOTUS decision in our favor seems like the best case scenario. But backlash shall always be. God bless!
Wow! As someone whose heart is deeply for the family, this info breaks my heart. At the same time, while our current culture seems bleak and threatens persecution, we know that we can beseech our most powerful God amidst these. News like this draws me to my knees, knowing that our God can intervene. I agree with the comment made, “It is a secular tyranny that reminds us of the persecutions of Christians in ancient, pagan Rome.” Yet in that time of persecution, the church depended more on God, took a steadfast stance in their faith, and it grew like wildfire. Let’s pray for this, and for God to overcome any potential harm planned for these precious children. Great post, Nancy! Thank you for your boldness to speak out!
Amen, Marcie! We need to be on our knees for our communities’ children. God bless!
Dear Nancy
Again, a thoughtful blog post here before the weekend.
There are so many interests to take into account here.
I love the way you’re putting your content together.
You have so many references here that you use to show us your point, great job!
God bless!
Edna Davidsen.
Thank you, Edna! God bless!
You are welcome, Nancy, and thank you for showing up in the Christian community. You are a faithful person.
Thanks, Edna!
Hi Nancy,
This is disheartening news, but you said it so well. And it needs to be said! This particular sentence that you state is at the heart of the matter, in my opinion: “Just as gay and lesbian couples could choose another photographer, florist, baker, and wedding planner, same-sex couples can find another adoption agency.”
Why can’t the LGBTQ etc. advocates just leave Christians alone in this area? Yet, I realize they won’t. They won’t stop their agenda because of their perceived violation of a Civil Right. I always thought that was a brilliant, but severely misguided, tactic to make this issue a “Civil Rights” one. It is not, but the LGBTQ etc. group has succeeded in making it one. They have convinced the populace at large that this must be the the case, negating the affect of what happens to religious freedom.
At times, I find myself falling into fear about what might happen to my children’s future as Christian believers. Then, I am reminded that the entire Christian religion was birthed in a very hostile Pagan environment within the Roman Empire. Christianity spread despite the odds. We must stand firm in the convictions we hold dear to, knowing that we have the Holy Spirit within us for guidance, and that God is for us.
Thanks for the heads up on this adoption issue – more reasons to pray.
Blessings,
Lisa Q
Thanks for your comment, Lisa. Sorry to be so long in replying. It landed in my spam. You are so right. I often have that same sense of fear for kids, grandkids, and now a great-grandchild. What will the world be like for them? We have to cultivate them carefully to prepare them for what may come. Lord, have mercy!