Should faith-based groups that handle adoption placements be allowed to turn away same sex couples who are interesting in adopting children?
News Radio 1200 WOAI's Michael Board reports that issue is included in a 'religious freedom' proposal making its way through the Legislature, and it is being blasted by several pastors and church leaders, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The Rev. David Wynn, Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church in Ft. Worth, says preventing otherwise qualified couples from adopting goes against the Bible.
"Jesus never said one word about homosexuality or gender diversity," Rev. Wynn said. "But he had a whole lot to say about homelessness, hunger, clothing the poor, caring for the sick and the imprisoned."
Supporters of the bill say, just like the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the rights of businesses not to supply contraceptives and abortion coverage in their Obamacare insurance plans if it goes against their 'strongly held religious beliefs,' it wouldn't be fair to require adoption agencies to violent their religious beliefs in child placement decisions. They point out that the bill would prevent religiously associated adoption agencies from simply stopping to place children for adoption because they are afraid of being sued for discrimination, something that has happened in other states.
Adoption is a critical issue in Texas today, with problems at CPS resulting in children being placed in officers for lack of adoptive homes.
"I have a masters degree in theology from Southern Methodist University, and I think we're all reading the same Bible, but sometimes its hard to tell," Rev. Wynn said.
Adoption by same sex couples has been legal in Texas since well before the Obergefell Decision in 2015 legalized same sex marriage. State supported adoption agencies would continue to place children with same sex couples even if the bill were passed, so supporters of the bill said it would not discriminate against gay families.
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