The stories of Conservative Christians facing the law over their views on homosexuality are not new (see here for example) however this one seems to be different to me.
Providing a service to someone, and discriminating against them purely because of their sexual orientation (as in the example of the B&B) is completely wrong in my opinion. If you are providing a service to the public, then you accept them no matter how what. Discriminating against them because of gender, beliefs, sexual orientation, age colour, whatever is wrong. No one chooses to be either of these things - people are people, and deserve to be treated with respect - the Christian should be the light shining in the darkness in this instance.
However, I believe the case of fostering and adopting is different. As a youth worker, I believe in the ability of young people to make informed choices, and actively work to enable this to happen - however the ruling that Conservative Christians cannot adopt or foster due to their beliefs assumes something a little different about young people.
I grew up in a home where I didn't always agree with my parents - I am sure you can empathise. You see, every young person has parents with outdated views, beliefs, opinions. We all have mums who embarrassed us in school, or dads who said the wrong thing...
Through the growing up period of my life, did I blindly accept their opinions? To a point, yes - but then as I got older, no. I questioned, I investigated, I rebelled, I formed my own mind... Did my parents reject me because of it? When we came to fundamental irreconcilable differences, was I kicked out, or unloved? Of course not...
Why then assume Conservative Christian couples (who many consider to have outdated views) should be any different to 90% of the population, and refuse them the right to have children?
As a youth worker, I believe that child would form their own opinion on the subject of homosexuality in light of, and maybe in spite of their parents... (as is their right). and further to that, I believe if that child grew up and discovered he/she was gay - that couple would love him/her anyway, as nearly every other parent would...
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