Christian foster parents no longer forced to promote homosexuality
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Friday, November 2, 2007, 8:01 (GMT)
A committed Christian foster couple who were told they would have to give up their foster son following their refusal to sign an Equality policy, which forbids discrimination on the grounds of homosexuality, have won the right to have their personal convictions and conscientious objections recognised.
Vince Matherick, a 65-year-old minister at South Chard Christian Church in Somerset and his wife, Pauline were previously told they would not be re-registered as foster carers because of their religious beliefs, despite the fact they had been fostering since 2001 and had looked after 28 children.
Earlier this year they were asked to agree to a new Equality policy which would require them to say that homosexual relationships were equal to heterosexual marriages if asked by a child about such relationships.
Mr Matherick explained that he and his wife had never discriminated against anybody, but that they would not teach children about the practice of homosexuality because the Bible condemns any kind of sexual practice outside of a marital relationship.
The couple were threatened with the prospect of having to give up custody of their 11-year-old foster son after being told that would have to sign the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs), which are part of the Equality Act 2006, by social services.
The couple reported that they had been told by officials they would be required to discuss same-sex relationships with their child who is only 11, and say that gay partnerships were just as acceptable as heterosexual marriages.
Mr Matherick said: “I cannot preach the benefits of homosexuality when I believe it is against the word of God.”
However, the couple met on Wednesday with social services leaders and secured an agreement which will allow their personal convictions and conscientious objections to be recognised.
The Mathericks now hope to continue to foster children as before.
Andrea Williams of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship commented, “This is a significant step forward for Christian freedoms in that the Council has agreed not to force Mr and Mrs Matherick to act against their Christian beliefs.
“This should be of enormous encouragement to all Christians who want to take up the important role of caring for vulnerable children.”
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Saturday, January 5, 2008, 23:08 (GMT)
First and Foremost in the raising of foster children should be that when that child comes to their personal decision that they are GAY, is that their parents support them FIRST. You remember where JFK said the Pope would be running the US but his religion would be a private matter.
Why do I say this...Do you know the number one reason for Teen Suicides in this country?
It's called being a GAY teen in a family that will either kick you out of the house and stop LOVING you or being berated that you weren't brought up this way.
The son of the roofer that fixed his roof last year killed himself. I knew why as soon as I heard about it, they lived in the Bible Belt.
Many programs for years that have been trying to keep your personal beliefs out, weren't to keep your religion down but to keep the child alive.
Read your Bible's what is the Greatest Gift one can give another? LOVE
Should be coming from their parents instead of HATE.
Andy Andrews, oakland, ca
Added: Wednesday, November 14, 2007, 4:14 (GMT)
It is amazing the extent people will go to defend a lie. Children are not born homosexual. These foster parents should be applauded for taking a stand to fear God rather than man. Protecting an innocent child against immoral indoctrination of any kind, should be the highest priority. Foster care should be about what's in the best of the child and not promoting agendas based on a person's sexual choices.
Trish Jefferson, United States
Added: Saturday, November 10, 2007, 12:13 (GMT)
I feel sorry for all these ppl who have no idea what true morality is and force their own notions of it onto the world!
They are lost...
Zealot, Good Ol, USA
Added: Tuesday, November 6, 2007, 5:27 (GMT)
This is harmful and wrong. Displays no common sense or care for the children. It propagandizes them. What if a child is gay in this house? How will they get the care and support they need by being told their very existence is a sin. When in truth it clearly isn't.
John Pace, United States
Added: Sunday, November 4, 2007, 15:31 (GMT)
This couple has fostered 28 children since 2001. Obviously, none of the children stay for any great length of time. To force their beliefs on an impressionable child is wrong. Teaching tolerance and acceptance, in my opinion, is more along the line of being true Christians. The children should be taught in such a way as to be able to make their own decision and form their own opinion. Hopefully, the harm these two are causing isn't permanent. Shame on them and anyone else who thinks its right to teach children bigotry, intolerance and hate all in the name of God and/or the Bible.
Jamie, California, USA
Added: Saturday, November 3, 2007, 21:24 (GMT)
I was taken in by these two very kind people 14 years ago for a period of time. When people stick to what they believe and fight the system and win, brings a smile to my face. I wish them the best of luck in the future and any child taken in by these loving people is in very safe hands.
Mr Wayne Evans, Taunton, UK
Added: Saturday, November 3, 2007, 18:19 (GMT)
Have this couple actually taken time to get to know gay people before making their decisions as to what they can and cannot discuss with their foster son?
They are not all evil, promiscuous heretics. People do not choose to be gay and it often leads to a lot of fear, discrimination, and other difficulty for them. Even today in Britain people are attacked both verbally and physically just because of who they are. This is as unacceptable as racism. If it is to stop then we must teach our children to accept, respect and tolerate others and not to judge them. I believe that this couple are failing in that duty.
Even to stay silent on the issue is not enough, especially as the child themselves could be gay (my parents were clueless till I told them at 19 - I had by that stage carried shame and guilt for 7 or 8 years). There is nothing morally wrong with loving somebody else of the same gender. If you believe thatthe bible condemns it, that is your personal religious belief and to impose it on the state's children is not on. Do they refuse to discuss other religions? Would they feel it acceptable if a foster couple of another faith insisted that they couldn't teach christians as being acceptable or take their child to christian.
I don't mind you having your opinions and believing that I must live a life of complete celibacy and singleness, in a church where I cannot be open about myself. However, to expect that of people with no religious belief is wrong, and to refuse to accept the right of homosexuals to the same joys of love and relationships as heterosexuals just because of who they are is unfair and discriminatory.
Thomas T, Bangor, Wales
Added: Friday, November 2, 2007, 17:12 (GMT)
Great news - and doesn't it demonstrate how important it is to take a clear stand. Praise God for the courage and boldness of Mr & Mrs Matherick. Let's learn from their lead and be strong ftogether or God's sake.
Rosemary Pritchard, Stanford-le-Hope UK
