![Beliefs: Dr Sheila Matthews](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/20/article-1200721-05C54DDC000005DC-214_233x423.jpg)
Dr Sheila Matthews
(edit)
Christian doctor is axed from panel over failing to back gay adoption Mail Online
(edit)
But that led to her being barred from the panel altogether.
The married mother of one said she had been 'made to pay for being honest and upholding my personal integrity'.
(edit)
Dr Matthews would then take part in the vote to decide if the candidates should be approved.
In the past, Dr Matthews had abstained from votes on same-sex parents.
But in February a homosexual couple applied to the panel - the first to do so following the introduction of equality legislation at the end of last year.
(edit)
Northamptonshire County Council told her she had been replaced on the panel because of the ' significant problems' her views created for the adoption service.
In a letter she was told that her stance went against complying with the law and would not help the council attract the widest range of suitable adopters.
She has appealed against the decision and says she may be forced to go to an employment tribunal on the grounds of religious discrimination.
The Christian Legal Centre is backing her case and has referred it to Paul Diamond, a leading religious rights barrister.
(edit)
More than 3,200 children were adopted in England last year - 90 by gay couples.
******************************************
Doctor faces sack for refusing to back gay adoptions - Telegraph
(edit)
She presents her findings to one of Northamptonshire's two adoption panels, made of up councillors, social workers and lay persons.
Following a discussion a vote is taken on whether the applicants should be recommended as suitable to become adoptive parents.
(edit)
The letter stated: "There are three concerns that I have: that we have to comply with the law, that we attract the widest possible range of suitable adopters and that we comply with our own policies.
"I believe that we could not allow a panel member to continue to participate in the process who is unable to consider, on the merits of the application alone, applications to adopt."
Dr Matthews, who is not paid for her role on the adoption panel but carries it out as part of her job as a community paediatrician, has now written to Northamptonshire County Council asking it to reconsider its decision.
(edit)
She said: "I have no wish to impose my views on others. I only wish to be able to abstain from panel votes.
**************************************************************
Christian doctor clashes with adoption authorities - Fenland Today
(edit)
As a professional doctor for the past 28 years and as a Christian, she said she believes that a household with same-sex parents is not the best environment in which to raise children.
(edit)
"Therefore professionally and personally I cannot recommend placement in a same-sex household to be in the best interest of a child, despite what politicians may have legislated for, and as those on the panel have a legal obligation to do what they believe is in the best interests of the child, then I cannot support a recommendation with which I do not agree."
ping
God will honor her for this.
The UK is finished.
The USA is not far behind.