Evangelicals Start Adoption Push

Faithful Told To Back Up Opposition To Abortion With More Adoptions And Improved Foster Care

(AP)  That controversy did not escape the notice of Tammie Snyder, executive director of Antioch Adoptions in Redmond, Washington, a Seattle suburb. The nonprofit, which grew out of Antioch Bible Church, recruits and trains parents for free and has placed 216 children since 2001 through a partnership with the state.

The agency will not work with gay and lesbian parents, and the state does not require it. But Snyder said she fears court decisions and laws granting gays and lesbians expanded rights might change that. As it is, Snyder said Antioch refers gay and lesbian parents to agencies that cater to them and have similar state partnerships.

"We want to make sure people know we are a Christian agency and our families are Christian," Snyder said. "We don't want to have to tiptoe around it."

Still other questions have arisen over gay and lesbian foster-care children. The Child Welfare League of America — which opposes efforts to change a child's sexual orientation — encourages case workers to talk with prospective parents and children about sexual orientation, said Rob Woronoff, who works on this issue for the group.

"Better to discuss that than have someone answer, 'I'll take any child,' and make the child's life miserable," Woronoff said.

Organizers also are up front about another complication: The churches targeted by the campaign are predominantly white, while the majority of foster-care children are minorities. Paul Pennington, who heads an orphan initiative through FamilyLife, a Little Rock, Arkansas-based evangelical group, said parents need to brace for stares and other less-than-accepting behavior from families around them.

"We want people to come in with eyes wide open," he said.

Evangelizing is another potential problem.

Focus on the Family president Jim Daly wrote supporters that he hopes the orphan-care effort "will not only equip God's people to help meet the physical needs of orphans worldwide, but will ultimately introduce them to the eternal hope that is found in Jesus Christ."

Generally, foster children can be taken to places of worship unless parents who maintain legal rights say otherwise, but forcing religion on foster children is not allowed.

"The best practice is to give kids a good, loving home," said Adam Pertman, executive director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute in New York. "Some people interpret that to mean a good home as having a strong faith in it. As a parent, I get that. What I'm suggesting is kids not become a tool" for evangelism.

For Matt and Kristen Donovan, abortion and same-sex adoption politics did not factor in their decision to become foster parents. After experiencing two miscarriages in the past year, the suburban Dallas couple decided it was time to expand their family beyond their 3-year-old biological daughter.

The couple worried about bureaucratic red tape. But they also felt tugged by adoption metaphors in the Bible. Now, they share their home with a 4-month-old foster child after receiving training from Irving Bible Church.

"Our church is very much our community," said Matt Donovan, a 26-year-old graphic designer. "Having the church involved made this a journey we didn't have to take on our own."

[randalds]

Your right about that, which is why I am proud to be an American. That is something that you and I share: The First Amendment. Peace be with you.
Posted by rushman71 at 03:54 PM : May 04, 2007

And also with you. (I was raised Catholic.)

:-)

[randalds]

I don't really see the entire bible as a book of fairy tales in the sense that I don't think any of it happened, but rather that taking it literally (the old testament) is the same thing as if it were just fairy tales. Certainly it's possible that some of the people named in the bible actually existed and there's no doubt that many of the places did too, however believing literally that the world was created in 6 days or that Jonah was swallowed by a fish for 3 days is believing in fairy tales. As a book of philosophy or proverbs or general instruction on how to live ones life it certainly has much merit.

[realpatriot1]

Sorry about the split paragrah and the resulting incoherence. That's not how I wrote it and I'm not quite sure how it happened.

[realpatriot1]

RandallDS,

With all due respect, if Jesus wasn't the son of God then he wasn't a very wise rabbi either. I believe he was both.

I take a middle road between you 2 dueling philosophers. I don't see the Bible as a"book of fairy tales" or as every word regardless of the speaker or the context representing the"word of God".

Yes, there are inconsistencies in the Bible. It's a compilation of texts representing the interpretations of a multitude of mortals. At the same time, there is a vast amount of scientific evidence supporting much of what's in the Bible that can't be explained away by doubters.

I fully respect your right to believe whatever you want and I also respect the right of Christians to practice their faith.

As someone who has criticized evangelicals in the past for not doing more to adopt while seeking to deny adoption to gay couples I applaud this as a positive development.it doesn't change my view that gay.

It's just as discriminatory to use the assumption that evangelicals will shove religion down kids throats as a reason to deny adoptions as it is to use the argument that gay parents will try to make kids gay. Both arguments are unfair to the vast majority. Both types of instances should be dealt with by child protection if and when they occur.

ut, I believe, a critical thinker with an open mind can find consistency and truth within the words of Christ as opposed to Moses, Paul, Luke,etc.

[rushman71]

Your right about that, which is why I am proud to be an American. That is something that you and I share: The First Amendment. Peace be with you.

[randalds]

I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, of All that is Seen and Unseen.

Posted by rushman71 at 03:27 PM : May 04, 2007

Bully for you. I mean that. Whatever works for you is fine with me, as long as it's not inserted in the government or schools, then as an atheist I have no problem with whatever you choose to believe or not to believe. Just as you should have no problem with my choice not to. It's what makes America grand!

[rushman71]

It's kind of funny how for many years by many people the belief in science is fact, and the bible fiction. Since there is no "scientific proof" of God, why should I believe in Him. Because of the occurances that I have seen and experienced, have witnessed and told to others. I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, of All that is Seen and Unseen. And from what I have experienced, I know that there is a true God. I also know that there is Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God, who was born of the virgin Mary, who lived until he killed by Pontius Pilate. He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again from the dead, in fulfillment of the scripture. The scripture regards different proficies throughout the Old Testament which almost everyone of them regarding Jesus has been done. The remaining have yet to be fulfilled, which is right around the corner. But no matter how much science may seem to hold towards fact, the fact remains that there is a God, but you would have to believe through your heart. You don't need science to prove the existance of God, you need faith and belief. May the Lord open your eyes to see and ears to hear to help give you understanding to His Word. Amen.

[randalds]

If you have "facts" that there is no God, no Jesus, no Holy Spirit, please provide them.
Posted by rushman71 at 02:29 PM : May 04, 2007

As for so-called facts about the existence of a god, well that's a disingenuous question as one can not prove a negative. One can not prove that something didn't happen (or doesn't exist) in the same manner as one can prove that something DID happen. For instance, besides your faith that there is indeed a god, you can not prove it scientifically any more then I can scientifically dis-prove it, though I can certainly point you to many ways to prove evolution is real. Not being able to DIS-prove something however does not mean that it is therefore proven. Reality doesn't work that way.

However as to the existence of Jesus Christ, yes I do believe such a man existed, however since I do not believe there is such a thing as god, then I certainly do not believe he was the son of god. He was a wise Rabbi, a good Jewish teacher, but not the son of any god.

[randalds]

There are so many events throughout the bible that have been discovered by archeologist, anthropologist, paleantologists, and other types of scientists that puts the word "evolution" up in question. If you have "facts" that there is no God, no Jesus, no Holy Spirit, please provide them.
Posted by rushman71 at 02:29 PM : May 04, 2007

I have read the bible several times and refer to it often. I in fact have one right on my desk right now. As for historical accuracy, in order to believe that it is accurate one would have to believe that the world was created in 6 days approximately 6000 years ago, which is in and of itself ridiculous. no credible scientist doubts that the world is less then 4 billion years old. Also there is Exodus. A nice movie with Charlton Heston to be sure, but there is no archaeological evidence that there were ever any Jewish slaves in Egypt and it fact all evidence points to the great monuments of Egypt being built by paid and volunteer Egyptens.

[rushman71]

RandalDS: Tell me, when was the last time you read the bible. How would you know that it "is so full of holes historically and logically that one could quite easily use it as a sieve". Forgive if I'm wrong here, but you sound like the type of person who doesn't have the time, patience, understanding, "morality, goodness and sense of self" to even be bothered in the truth. There are so many events throughout the bible that have been discovered by archeologist, anthropologist, paleantologists, and other types of scientists that puts the word "evolution" up in question. If you have "facts" that there is no God, no Jesus, no Holy Spirit, please provide them.

[randalds]

First off, all of you atheist idiots believe in is absolutely nothing, not even your own selves. Second, you have absolutely no right to assume that all Christians raise their kids to be church-going fanatics. Reserve that for the Mormons and Jehova Witnesses. Third, until you can prove anything wrong or incorrect with the Word of God, shut the hell up!!!!
Posted by rushman71 at 10:41 AM : May 04, 2007

1st, morality, goodness and sense of self is not owned by any religion (which doesn't allow one to be oneself, only a lockstep member of the church) and neither is believing in oneself. 2nd, no one said ALL christians raise their children to be fanatics only that SOME do (you should read the entire posts before making a fool out of yourself). 3rd, the bible is so full of holes historically and logically that one could quite easily use it as a sieve.

[rushman71]

It's really pathetic sitting here reading the remarks of these atheist believing that all Christians are raising their own kids as well as the adopted ones to be religious fanatics. First off, all of you atheist idiots believe in is absolutely nothing, not even your own selves. Second, you have absolutely no right to assume that all Christians raise their kids to be church-going fanatics. Reserve that for the Mormons and Jehova Witnesses. Third, until you can prove anything wrong or incorrect with the Word of God, shut the hell up!!!!

[kansas1946]

Gee, what a novel idea. For years these "evangelicals" have been supporting Republicans that have tried and succeeded in cutting funding to every program in the country that benefit children. The foster care program is a nightmare, low-income working women have nowhere safe to leave their children, Bush has cut the food stamp program. Maybe these "pro-lifers" have finally decided that life matters after birth.

[toldyouso21]

Go to you tube and see this video if you care about bringing the troops home--what's more, sign up and vote or leave a comment. Hurry, as fast as we tell people about this, CBS is closing down those blogs or appears to be limiting access.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nnH
kWfIAyHE&mode=related&search=

Pass this message on.
Posted by toldyouso21 at 06:37 PM : May 03, 2007

[samthetvcat]

I kind of find myself in a zone where just last week I was criticizing the religious right for not really caring about the after effects of their pro-life platform - all the kids who would be born as a result that didn't seem to be part of their concern for the sanctity of human life. And now this week when some of the evangelical leaders are urging people to adopt these at-risk babies, I find myself skeptical but then I wonder if maybe I've got some bias there because if I'm critical of this position too then really they can't do anything that's acceptable.

I don't want to be intolerant of others who happen to have beliefs that I don't agree with, so I think because of the timing of this platform - just after the partial-birth abortion ban I have to believe they're trying to do what's right. And in the aggregate I do believe it's going to result in a lot of good. Isn't that what parents ought to do, is raise children with a solid value system until their 18 and then let their children decide for themselves whether they want to maintain those beliefs as their own or adopt new ones? Kids today are a lot more open-minded and tolerant, and I think if many of the households are going to be mixed-race then maybe this adoption process might actually soften the evangelical position rather than harden it.

Kudos to the religious right for trying - I too hope to adopt foster kids some day :)

[clip24]

I have two children and we do attend church but we do not make them go if they don't want to or shove anything down their throats. We give them the information and let them make their own decisions. Freewill! My inlaws on the other hand are all Mormon (we are not) and their entire life revolves around the church and duty and the kids must participate. It disagree with that to a point, But they have all managed to raise some of most wonderful, well rounded and outstanding adults you have ever meet, so maybe "shoving religion down their throats" isn't all that bad. Mabye teaching our Children, hate and intolorance to other's beliefs is. Look at the gangbangers raising gangbangers in training? They learn from an early age not to respect life and they are surrounded by violence, guns and drugs.

[randalds]

No one is saying a thing about how Christians raise their children. What I gather is being said here is that adopting children to shove religious beliefs down their throats is wrong, not only is it wrong it is abusive. Check your own motives. Are your motives honorable or are you just shoving your beliefs on others? That's not for me to say whether you are or not. Only you can answer that.
Posted by r9119111 at 05:01 PM : May 03, 2007

That's right. If a person only reason for adopting a child is to create another little evangelical soldier for god, then that is child abuse of the worst kind. It's no different then the Nazi's segregating children into Hitler Youth camps just so they could teach them to worship Hitler. Either way you are brainwashing young impressionable minds to think only as you wish them to think, rather then teaching them to be able to think for themselves.

[r9119111]

clip24:

No one is saying a thing about how Christians raise their children. What I gather is being said here is that adopting children to shove religious beliefs down their throats is wrong, not only is it wrong it is abusive. Check your own motives. Are your motives honorable or are you just shoving your beliefs on others? That's not for me to say whether you are or not. Only you can answer that.

[gunownerdan]

I wonder if evangelicals will ever realize that the best way to protect the "sanctity of marriage" is to ban divorce.

[randalds]

I do not tell people they are going to heII if they are g@y or le5bian. It does not matter if I believe in all that or not, to me what matters is if I actually voice it to someones face. That is what is wrong. I just wish we could all just believe what we want to believe without all this broohaha.
Posted by Phoenix1218 at 03:50 PM : May 03, 2007

I couldn't agree more and should have been more specific in directing my comments to the evangelicals who do their level best to shove their version of a god down everyone else's throat.