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Originally Posted by danielf
I can see this getting sticky 
Ultimately, you are saying that a child should be brought up according to God's law (forgive me if I'm wrong). This would of course, disqualify several people from adopting children (including myself, as I'm an Atheist, but also people adhering to other religions). Now I'm sure things are not so black and white, as no doubt there will be shades of breaking the law. So here's me, an Atheist (I denounce God) in a committed heterosexual relationship. I'm sure however there will be Christian homosexual couples as well. They will probably be well aware of breaking the law, but may be comitted to raising a child in a religious manner. Which is the worse of the two evils. I would say I am, as I would bring up a child telling him/her there is no God. |
I had a good think about this while I ate my super noodles.
Yes, I am saying that God requires all parents to bring up their children to be good citizens and more specifically to 'fear God'. But, if you don't mind me quoting the Bible (I know you don't hold it in high regard but it's where I'm coming from), 'Man is destined to live once, and after that comes judgement'. You aren't barred from having children by not being a Christian ('be fruitful and multiply' is a divine command to the whole race), but after you die you will be held to account for how you bring up your children. You will also be called to account for how you lived other aspects of your life.
You raise an interesting point about who would be the more fitting parents when it comes to adoption. Of course, Social Services already consider this issue, although often, it seems, from the opposite point of view. I know Christians who have adopted and believe me, the social workers take a
very close interest in their Church life to ensure the religion the child will be exposed to is acceptable.
Nevertheless, I do think you have set up a bit of a false dilemma. For a start there is no such thing as the lesser of two evils in terms of final judgement. The 'pass mark' for entry to Heaven is a totally unattainable 100%, which is what the crucifixion is for. And in terms of a supposedly Christian gay couple trying to bring up their child to fear God, well this whole issue is nicely illustrated by Gene Robinson, the gay Anglican bishop in America. It's the fact that he is in an active homosexual relationship that has caused the concern. Christianity is supposed to be a process of continutal growth in Christ-likeness in the believer. You simply can't reserve certain aspects of your life outside that process.
As a Christian, I want to see the society I live in conform to the ideal that God has given, in social as well as spiritual terms. That means I resist changes in the spiritual life of our nation that take us further from God, and I resist social changes that take us further from God's ideal. Allowing gay marriage and adoption is just such a social change. Continuing to allow atheist, heterosexual couples to adopt is not a social change and while there are Christians still around to proclaim God's will, your soul isn't a lost cause either.
