South Carolina foster care providers can reject based on religion

[trotsky]

https://www.channel3000.com/news/politics/national-politics/south-carolina-foster-care-providers-can-reject-based-on-religion/987528616

Federally funded child welfare agencies in South Carolina can refuse to perform services that conflict with their religious beliefs, the US Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday.

The announcement came in response to Gov. Henry McMaster's request for a waiver for faith-based groups that contract with the state for foster care services, such as child placements and screenings of prospective families.

Citing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, McMaster requested an exemption from federal regulations enacted by the Obama administration that forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and religion -- among other identities -- in HHS programs and services.

...Miracle Hill made headlines in 2018 when it turned away a Jewish woman, who sought to mentor children in foster care, because she did not share the organization's religious beliefs.

Religious privilege in action.

[MineralMan]

1. Oh, my. A nice Christian organization...

Miracle Hill is not.

[trotsky]

2. They are certainly Christian according to their definition.

And considering there are self-identified Christians on DU who have vastly different beliefs, who is to say they aren't?

[MineralMan]

3. Yes. If someone claims to be a Christian, who am I to naysay.

If that person turns out to be an asshole, then i will point out that the person is a self-defined Christian asshole. Or, I might use sarcasm to make the same point.

As a non-Christian, I have no choice but to accept people's own labels as Christians. However, I can use various adjectives to describe them, I think.

[trotsky]

6. Oh absolutely.

We have a prominent DUer right in this forum who purports to follow the message of Jesus, but also freely judges others and dispenses "eye for an eye" justice. Two things Jesus specifically told his followers NOT to do.

[MineralMan]

7. Yes. Of late, though, that DUer appears to be taking up the cause of Islam.

It reminds me of part of the lyrics of a brief song that was added at the end of side 2 of an old Beatles album.

Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl,
But she changes from day to day - bum bum bum...

[Act_of_Reparation]

10. Funny you should mention the Beatles...

...because this fascination with Islam seems to resemble the Beatles' selfsame saccharine, bored, middle-class flirtation with Hinduism.

[MineralMan]

13. Now that you mention it, it does, indeed.

And slowly, but surely, the movement is away from religion and toward non-religion. Catholicism, Christianity, Theism, Deism, Agnosticism, and finally Atheism. The progression is not an uncommon one.

Progress.

[Mariana]

12. "Self-defined Christian" is a redundant phrase.

All Christians are self-defined. It is sufficient, I think, to say that such a person is a Christian asshole.

[Act_of_Reparation]

4. Religious fascination with adoption is rarely just about the welfare of the children.

It's also about winning converts.

[MineralMan]

5. Yes, that's very true. Indoctrination of children is an important

aspect of ensuring the continued existence of religions.

[NeoGreen]

8. Yep...

...
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/after-95-years-ny-rules-end-catholic-adoption-and-foster-services-in-buffalo-60894

After 95 years, NY rules end Catholic adoption and foster services in Buffalo
Buffalo, N.Y., Aug 27, 2018 / 04:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Adoption and foster services through Catholic Charities of Buffalo are ending because state rules do not allow the agency to maintain its practice of only placing children in homes with a mother and a father.

“Because Catholic Charities cannot simultaneously comply with state regulations and conform to the teaching of the Catholic Church on the nature of marriage, Catholic Charities will discontinue foster care and adoption services,” Catholic Charities of Buffalo said Aug. 23.

The Catholic Charities affiliate said it cannot follow state requirements that require contracting agencies to allow same-sex couples to foster and adopt children. It cited Catholic teaching recognizing marriage as a union of a woman and a man.

"If we can't enforce our (hateful) doctrine, then we'll take our toys and go home."

I.e. It was never about the children.

[MineralMan]

9. I am reminded of this scene from "The Blues Brothers"

[Major Nikon]

11. Republicans are always looking for ways to funnel taxpayer money to religious organizations

...and as we see time and time again, they will use that money to discriminate against those who do not believe as they do.