Bahtatboy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-12598896

Hmm, I wonder if its because they actually vocalised their views on homosexuality. Given that certain faiths are very vocal in their abhorrence of homosexuality, if someone proclaimed himself to be of one of those faiths (and, by so proclaiming, could only be considered of good moral standing if he actually lived by his faith), surely that would automatically bar him from being a foster parent. And to carry the logic forward, there should be no foster parents proclaiming to be of any of those faiths. I wonder...

kittycat1

hmm tricky one, good foster parents are a precious commodity and can offer a place of sanctuary to vunerable kids, it seems a shame that apparently nice people are being turned down on views that may never be discussed with a child in their care, however the fact they obviously bought up their views could be a bit weird- So what faith are you? We're Christian- burn all gays... in which case I could see why they might not be the best idea.

Surely if the children they are fostering are from the same faith it wouldn't be a problem?

It always upsets me, foster and adoptive families have to fill such a strict criteria when all they want to do is offer some love and support to children in need, yet any drug addict, of child abuser or kiddy fiddler can have a child naturally.

Ethos83

It's an interesting situation on many levels, of which the foster couple's views is only one. The judges' ruling that Christianity has no place in the nation's laws does seemingly contradict Britain's position as an not-officially-secular state. After all there is an Established Church, the Queen is Head of State and Head of Church, certain rituals in Parliament do invoke God and prayers. In the US the foster's family views wouldn't have prevented them from fostering children despite that the US is a strictly officially secular country.

There's no denying Britain is a rapidly secularising country if from the perspective people aren't adherents to a faith anymore - and acceptance of homosexuality has become the new dogma being enforced by the State and one that isn't entirely unwelcome for many people, but there's a creeping and consistent pattern of uneven application of the rules of modern society - would the courts have ruled against a Muslim couple wanting to foster Muslim children because they considered homosexuality to be wrong? Christianity as a faith and an institution has become a very easy target largely because they're not deemed a minority that needs to be protected whilst at the same time there's a lack of recognition by the establishment that the views and opinions of practising Christians are very widespread and complex. Plenty of Christians accept homosexuality and quite a few CoE priests are gay and thriving London congregations tend to have a sizeable gay contingent.

lionheart

As a footnote and having gone through the fostering process myself as a child, it's worth bearing in mind that not all potential foster parents are do-gooders with hearts of gold. Some just do it for financial reasons, as they get paid very nicely for their trouble.

Brains1983

as good a reason as any other I guess, providing they look after the bairns lovingly, it's all good!

Blue Cat

yeah but I bet LH will confirm that there are plenty out there that only do it for money, no other reason and that there is very little love on the ground for the kids

typical

Foster carers are agents of the state first and families second. Plus, they were refused not because they were Christian, or even because they revealed themselves to be bigots to any adult, but because they evidently couldn't offer love or reassurance to a gay kid.

Right decision. No question.

(I'm coming ever closer to Dawkins on his "religion as child abuse" thoughts, these days. )

The Dean

They sound like Mr and Mrs Win121 from the emigration thread........

Blue Cat

who said the kid was gay?

Arcadia

The couple were actually asked the question during the ''interview process'' of fostering.

eg.. If a nine year old boy who you were fostering came to you and told you he thinks he is gay, what would your reaction be?

She obviously said something that the social worker didnt like, and therefor refused to grant thier application.

I also Agree with lion heart...in our local newspapers jobs page there is always an advert on how to foster a child..all it tells you is the ammount of benefits paid and all the other things you would be entitled too..I always find it to be a little crass.

Meow

Here's the Daily Mash's take on the story

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/christian-foster-couple-forced-to-accept-god's-will-201103013585/

typical

As I understand it, there wasn't any specific kid (yet).

As Arcadia said, they were asked a question to test if they could offer love and care to a gay child, and their answer suggested they couldn't.

The Dean

What IS a gay child, precisely? At what age do you know you're gay?

"So you'd like to foster a child? Well we have a nice one here......... he's ten years old. Up to the age of nine, he was perfectly normal, but now he's turned into a limp-wristed mincing queer........... will that be a problem??"

Load of crap.............

Ethos83

So place a child who isn't gay with them. Most kids aren't gay....


There's a huge waiting list for black children looking for foster care and adoptive families. The irony is that a few weeks back the DT ran a feature on a white London couple who wanted to adopt a black child but who were turned down by the council because of the colour of their skin - the council felt it was in the child's best interest to wait till black foster parents could be found even though they're in very short supply. The couple eventually adopted from abroad.

There are a lot of children who need care and if this couple can prove they are a loving carers why prevent them from taking on foster children over one particular view and a view that isn't necessarily restricted to a handful of people?

typical

At what age do you know you're straight? And that girls aren't icky?

I have gay friends who say they've known since pre-teens, others who didn't know until near the end of teenage years. The onset of puberty seems to be a good guess for when people become sexually aware.

I have a stronger belief in gay children than Christian children. Not that either get much chance to make a choice.