[Apologetics] Adoption agency policy offensive

[Art Kelly]

Editorial
July 16, 2005
at
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050716/OPINION01/507160311/1008/OPINION

Religious bigotry

Adoption agency policy offensive

Bethany Christian Services is a private adoption
agency, whose mission supposedly is to aid in placing
homeless children with families — that is as long as
the families are not Catholic.

A local couple was told in a letter from Bethany in
Jackson that "It has been our understanding that
Catholicism dos not agree with our Statement of
Faith." It would not accept an application for
adoption from the couple.

Such blatant religious bigotry, especially from an
organization that has "Christian" in its name, is
shocking in these days and times.

Worse, Bethany receives money from the sale of state
car tags that display the anti-abortion slogan "Choose
Life." Those tags are paid for by citizens, who add on
a contribution to support adoption efforts. Of the
$244,000 generated by the car tags, Bethany gets
$7,053. It is logical to assume many Catholics in
Mississippi, who are strongly anti-abortion in their
beliefs, are indirectly funding this agency with its
anti-Catholic policies.

It was an error for the state to sponsor political
statements on car tags. Now, apparently, the state is
collecting money to benefit a private adoption agency
that discriminates in its adoption policies based on
religion.

Confronted with questions, Bethany officials say they
will review the policy. The only review that needs to
be done is by those funding this agency.

There are many children who need homes. For dedicated,
capable couples to be denied that opportunity because
of their faith — a faith that teaches the very
principles of love and family commitment — is
outrageous.

Bethany Christian Services should do more than review
its policies; it should consider a name change.




ART KELLY, ATM-S
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