“True it is, They that are born of the flesh, hate and persecute them that are born of the spirit.” William Penn, Chapter One, VII~
His statue stands atop the great structure in the center of Philadelphia–City Hall. William Penn understood what many of us are just figuring out. The world will never understand nor appreciate our deeply held, uncompromising convictions.
And their disdain for our views trumps even the appearance of compassion. A voice of false compassion casts aside victims unrelated to its intended target.
The Daily Signal reports that days after making an urgent plea on behalf of 300 homeless orphans of the opioid crisis, Philadelphia ended its placement relationship with Bethany Christian Services and Catholic Social Services. Because those agencies hold Christian convictions and will not place children with unmarried or LGBT couples, they can no longer place children at all.
In the Keystone State in 2015, more than half of the 16,000 kids in foster care had been removed from their homes because of “parental drug use.” Philadelphia ranks second in deaths by overdose out of 44 counties in the US with populations greater than one million.
The need is indeed great, and there are many, but not enough, ways to meet it.
When a lesbian couple showed up at Bethany Christian Services to be trained as foster parents, the agency was “up-front” with them. Bethany would not place children in their home. But the agency didn’t just politely say no; they provided the names of other agencies the couple could work with.
Bethany could keep its religious convictions and the gay couple could still foster, perhaps even adopt.
But that’s not good enough for the city of brotherly love.
From Rod Dreher: “[O]n LGBT issues, the cultural left is driven by anti-Christian spite that they would even see orphaned children — including children with severe medical disabilities that no one [else] wants to care for — and the families who want to love and care for them suffer rather than yield a single inch.”
This issue is about more than religious freedom–much more. What will happen to the children no one else is willing to care for? Such children are often identified and “eliminated” in the womb today. But the children in foster care are already born.
One possibility is a children’s home that still exists near Philadelphia.
But it’s only for boys over 12 years of age. And who knows what government entity may swoop in someday and forbid the placement of young men in the St. Francis-St. Joseph Home for Children run by the Philadelphia Diocese of the Catholic Church.
In a society that shuts out God and already disposes of inconvenient unborn children, we may find children continuing to dwell in families of abuse and neglect.
Or facing the predatory nature of the streets alone.
And that in a city whose name means brotherly love.
Photo Credit: Philadelphia City Hall, Pixabay
More information about adoption: https://millionmilesecrets.com/guides/travel-for-adoption/
We are living in times where Christianity is hated. The enemy knows his time is short and is doing everything he can to pull people away from Jesus. The LGBT movement is one of those tools; not just that homosexuality exists, but that they actively work to put Christian organizations out of business, even when they are trying to help. Their “rights” are, to them, more important than anybody elses. As they fight for theirs, they are trampling on other peoples. It is truly sad.
Great post Nancy!
I was a bit surprised to see complaints from liberals about this kind of maneuvering. It’s overreach, for sure.
We do need more love in our world.
Amen, Yvonne. God bless!
Does anyone doubt any longer that there is a war against Christianity here in the US.? Nancy, it is not just in Philadelphia that one sees this type of harm done to children and other vulnerable groups by zealots for their cause(s). LGBT seriously can never be satisfied. The Supreme Court gave them their “same sex marriage” to place a societal validation on their couplings. That is still not enough. Pity the poor children.
Of course, from a sociological perspective, we may rightly wonder why such a tiny minority can dictate to the rest of us in this country.
And just as with all the anti-Christian efforts–it’s a small minority. I don’t think most gay people are anti-Christian foster placement. The controlling minority is minuscule. Thanks for your input. God bless!
And the worrisome thing is that together, these children become a time bomb waiting to go off. Jesus is still the Prince of peace, and the answer to what this lost world needs. Thanks for sharing, Nancy. Blessings to you.
I love a concept in my own small city. There’s a church in the bus/train station. It ministers to people IN the city. When there was a power outage, the church went to social media to gather non-perishable foods for those who were losing perishable goods. A fabulous ministry–the kind that can make a difference and show the difference. Thanks for commenting and God bless you too!
Yes, I agree that we need more love in our world.
Amen! God bless!
The greatest commandment calls us to love God and one another. To love – means to be inclusive – to have everyone at our tables and to take care of the vulnerable. This story makes my heart sad on so many levels. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for commenting, Anne. Love is inclusion and truth. And love is caring for the wounded among us. That’s all of us, really. God bless!
I agree with Anne’s comment – on so many levels this is a sad story. Love our neighbors. That’s it, right?
As long as we acknowledge that love means speaking the truth as kindly as we can. Thanks for commenting! God bless!
This is such a difficult topic. My friend’s mom has been struggling with this very issue: should children in need be placed in homes if those homes are LGBT or unmarried? I don’t think there’s an easy answer, but I totally agree that it’s heart-breaking to know that people would rather shut down an organization than choose to work alongside people who want to uphold their beliefs.
Heartbreaking, indeed–especially when other options–other organizations–are readily available to accommodate them. They want to limit the freedom of others when they are simply inconvenienced. Thanks for commenting! God bless!
This is tough news to swallow. One person at a time, that’s how I think we can spread love.
So true, Bailey! The church has lost its responsibility to mentor. We walk together. We teach line upon line. We encourage one another in our faith walk. Our personal investment in a person is the key to effective ministry. Thanks for commenting! God bless!
*sigh* Freedom is fine until it’s the freedom to express our Christianity. So sad what the world has come to, and the reality is that everyone everywhere simply needs love as so many have already stated.
Absolutely! Light shines better in darkness. But it’s hard to see the darkness coming. Thank you for reading and commenting!
It’s too bad that they aren’t accepting all who want to help place children. I know the need is so great. These are complicated times for sure.
Yes, Christina! Thanks for participating! God bless!
Hi Nancy!
Thank you for what you’re doing for the Christian online community.
The best and most sustainable societies are those who are built on Christians values.
God bless,
Edna Davidsen
Thank you, Edna, for all your encouragement and advice. God bless!