UK- Christian couple loses court case to foster kids over anti gay beliefs

And once again, we have Christianity under attack.  A Christian couple in the UK, who oppose the gay lifestyle, today lost a High Court battle over the right to become foster carers.  Eunice and Owen Johns, aged 62 and 65, from Oakwood, Derby, went to court after a social worker expressed concerns when they said they could not tell a child a ‘homosexual lifestyle’ was acceptable.

The couple, who are Pentecostal had applied to Derby City Council to be respite carers but withdrew their application believing it was ‘doomed to failure’ because of the social worker’s attitude to their religious beliefs.  The couple denied they were homophobic and that they would love any child placed into their care.  But they stated that they would not tell any child, that the gay lifestyle was acceptable.

So today, they they asked the judges not to hold their faith against them, but Lord Justice Munby and Mr Justice Beatson ruled that laws protecting people from discrimination because of their sexual orientation ‘should take precedence’ over the right not to be discriminated against on religious grounds.  No decision yet, has been made over whether or not to appeal.

Mrs Johns stood alongside her husband as she said: ‘We are extremely distressed at what the judges have ruled today.  ‘All we wanted was to offer a loving home to a child in need. We have a good track record as foster parents.  ‘But because we are Christians, with mainstream Christian views on sexual ethics, we are apparently unsuitable as foster parents.  Daily Mail

The judges viewed that the Johns’ views might harm a child.  Yeah right.  Gays are not normal….Mrs. Johns further stated -

‘We have been told by the Equality and Human Rights Commission that our moral views may “infect” a child.  ‘We do not believe that this is so. We are prepared to love and accept any child. All we were not willing to do was to tell a small child that the practice of homosexuality was a good thing.  ‘Worst of all, a vulnerable child has now likely missed the chance of finding a safe and caring home at a time when there are so few people willing to foster or adopt.  ‘We feel excluded and that there is no place for us in society.  Daily Mail

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity, said: ‘We’re delighted that the High Court’s landmark decision has favoured 21st-century decency above 19th-century prejudice.

‘In any fostering case the interests of the 60,000 children in care should override the bias of any prospective parent.’  ‘Thankfully, Mr and Mrs Johns’s out-dated views aren’t just out of step with the majority of people in modern Britain, but those of many Christians too. If you wish to be involved in the delivery of a public service, you should be prepared to provide it fairly to anyone.’  Daily Mail

And we can’t forget it was the Labour Party that brought into legality, equal rights for gays/lesbians.  The Pentecostal Christians – both experienced carers who have provided respite care for 15 children – had applied to Derby City Council to continue their work after a short break. But after social workers raised concerns over their attitudes towards homosexuality, they agreed to withdraw their application.

And those in the religious community are speaking out.  Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, warning that gay rights laws put homosexual rights over those of others.  The attorney representing the Johns, Paul Diamond, said they were doomed from the start because of their beliefs.  Mr Diamond told the court the couple believe they were effectively being barred from fostering because of their Christian beliefs. 

Andrea Minichiello-Williams, of the CLC, said one of the issues before the court was to determine whether Christian couples with traditional views on sexual ethics were ‘fit and proper persons’ to foster or adopt.  Hmm, so now Christians aren’t fit as foster parents?  Only gays?  There is something wrong with society, when God fearing, loving people are denied the chance to give a child a loving home, just because they don’t believe in an abnormal lifestyle.

 

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Posted by Janet on 02/28/2011

http://newsdeskinternational.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/uk-christian-couple-loses-court-case-to-foster-kids-over-anti-gay-beliefs/