Racism fuss but what about discrimination against gays

[lady_p_gold]

Firstly let me make it clear that I am not putting forward any judgement here as it is a complex issue. My post is merely the observation that the world has gone mad over 'racist bullying' in the House, questions have been asked in Parliament and Anglo/Indian relations strained etc.etc. and yet the Roman Catholic Church has said, if I understood it correctly, that they will close their adoption agencies if they are forced to allow gay couples to adopt a child if and when the law changes. I have not noticed the same amount of outrage at these comments .... just wondered what others thought about the whole subject.

[wildwood]

I'll have a go so everyone can make themselves feel better by abusing me to hell, to make up for their deepfelt hidden shame at being homophobic.

I don't think same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt a child. Rather than be concerned with the prospective parents' feelings, I consider the child's welfare paramount in an adoption situation. I feel a child stands the best chance of becoming a socially well balanced member of the community with preferably a mother and a father to guide it, not two mummies or two daddies.

[Llamatron]

I agree entirely with wildwood.
I'd also say that kids can come in for enough stick at school for being too short/tall, too fat/thin, ginger, smart etc etc.
Having gay adoptive parents would be a red rag to a bully.

[Octavius]

Whilst we can debate the rights and wrongs of same sex couples adopting, the Catholic Church is adhering to its own rules in that it does not permit relations between same sex couples. I don�t think �it� is in a position to ignore and backtrack it�s own ruling on this to recognise the family unit of same sex couples, which it has been denouncing for many centuries.

Personally I won�t sit on the fence, I disagree with the church�s stance on this issue and with the posts above. But I am mature enough to accept others views and reason with their opinions without hurling abuse.

A child can grow, develop and mature into a loving, guiding and protecting family whatever the sex of the guardians or adoptees. Yes of course they will grow up facing all kinds of prejudices in school, but we should really be teaching our own children that it is not right to pick on fat, thin, ugly, the ginger kid or kids with same sex parents, otherwise they will grow up to be as ignorant and belligerent as the reality tv stars we have today.

Most children exhibiting anti-social children come from broken homes or dysfunctional families, or indeed are the spawn of uninformed parents shirking their own parental responsibilities.

[chakka35]

It's a pity that wildwood didn't hear a Catholic Labour MP on The World At One today telling us of the number of children he knew who were very happy having been adopted by a homosexual couple. When you consider how many children suffer from the cruelty and neglect of heterosexual parents it is absurd to think that they would be worse off with homosexual parents who had been very carefully selected for their probity and kindness.
The idea that mere religious dogma should be allowed to interfere with the passing of a humane law is shocking.
Let Catholics and other religionists believe whatever ancient Jewish Old Testament edicts they like; they must not be allowed to foist them on society.

[joko]

the reason they get bullied is because people like you seek to keep it in the minority and perpetuate the myth that is will in someway corrupt the child.

this keeps the children being seen as 'different' from the other kids and therefore free game.

the bullying is your fault, not theirs, for bringing the kids up to hate others simply for being different.

the more this becomes a reality the less the bullying will become.

and if you want evidence of how well your so-called perfect family works, head off to any street corner, council estate and high rises, shopping centres, etc and see all the lovely, well balanced, and perfect families, screeching, fighting, abusing, being anti-social and framing their asbos -
then....walk a bit further to the residential areas, suburbs, country mansions - in fact, any house in the country really, and see all the lovely, well balanced, and perfect families, screeching, fighting, abusing etc etc etc- it happens in all walks of life.

[Mr_T_rules]

As long as a child is happy,safe, loved etc who cares if he/she has two dads or two mums. Religion has a lot to answer for in this world, all it does is tell people what they can't do and cause many, many wars. Who a person decides to spend their life with should not matter as long as they are a good kind person. Going to church every Sunday does not prove anything.

[littleoldme]

Of course the child's welfare is paramount - far more important than any perceived notions of political correctness or appeasing the gay rights lobby. This does not, however, preclude gay couples from adopting. In many cases they are able to provide home environments that are just as stable and loving as any heterosexual couple (and better than some).

I take on board the point about bullying. As octavius says, we should be educating our children not to bully - though this is much easier said than done, sadly. Schools also need to take a much more stringent role in stamping out bullying, ANY bullying, but that's a whole other thread.

As long as gay couples are subject to the same stringent checks as straight couples, and not "fast tracked" to make sure the agencies meet some Government-imposed quota, I don't see any reason in principle why they shouldn't adopt.

[lady_p_gold]

Well this is what AB is all about, a well thought out debate without the need for swearing or name calling and with articulate replies ! I shall await the outcome of the Church's stance with interest. Whatever the beliefs of all involved, what is paramount is the child I would have thought .... that should be the driving force behind any decision.

[Octavius]

Sadly the raising of the kiddy-fiddling issue above slightly clouds the debate by trying to steer it in a predictable direction. Sure, we all know that the church are guilty of covering it up for years and years, and thankfully now this is out in the open we hope those guilty can be bought to justice. Paedophiles come from all walks of life and professions and was covered up as acceptable practice by many in society for centuries, but as ever it is far easier to lay the blame solely at the church door.

Anyway, enough on that. The first sad thing about this whole issue is that the church has this stance against gay relationships, full stop. But then we do have freedom of choice and I suppose it is their right (albeit medieval) to uphold their own ill-conceived consciences according to their teachings and faith.

The second sad thing is that the Equality Act (meaning that goods and services etc cannot be denied anyone on the basis of sexual orientation) doesn�t mean that the church will deny same sex couples adopting, just that they will close their adoption agencies if forced to act against the teachings of their church and their own beliefs.

The real losers will be those children who are replaced into Local Authority adoption systems, but as the 1st two posts above show, there is a large part of society that agrees with the church�s opinion. I am a catholic and I think my opinion is clear.

[Big Bri]

Im not homophobic i love my house . Love you all get well soon

[haylegooner]

children should be adopted by NORMAL families. same sex couples are by no stretch of any ones imagination normal

[curiosity]

Children should be adopted by HAPPY couples regardless of who they are.