Posted on 07/15/2005 11:29:25 AM PDT by nypokerface
JACKSON, Miss. - A Christian adoption agency that receives money from Choose Life license plate fees said it does not place children with Roman Catholic couples because their religion conflicts with the agency's "Statement of Faith."
Bethany Christian Services stated the policy in a letter to a Jackson couple this month, and another Mississippi couple said they were rejected for the same reason last year.
"It has been our understanding that Catholicism does not agree with our Statement of Faith," Bethany director Karen Stewart wrote. "Our practice to not accept applications from Catholics was an effort to be good stewards of an adoptive applicant's time, money and emotional energy."
Sandy and Robert Steadman, who learned of Bethany's decision in a July 8 letter, said their priest told them the faith statement did not conflict with Catholic teaching.
Loria Williams of nearby Ridgeland said she and her husband, Wes, had a similar experience when they started to pursue an adoption in September 2004.
"I can't believe an agency that's nationwide would act like this," Loria Williams said. "There was an agency who was Christian based but wasn't willing to help people across the board."
The agency is based in Grand Rapids, Mich., and has offices in 30 states, including three in Mississippi. Its Web site does not refer to any specific branch of Christianity.
Stewart told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger that the board will review its policy, but she didn't specify which aspects will be addressed.
The Web site says all Bethany staff and adoptive applicants personally agree with the faith statement, which describes belief in the Christian Church and the Scripture.
"As the Savior, Jesus takes away the sins of the world," the statement says in part. "Jesus is the one in whom we are called to put our hope, our only hope for forgiveness of sin and for reconciliation with God and with one another."
Sandy Steadman said she was hurt and disappointed that Bethany received funds from the Choose Life car license plates. "I know of a lot of Catholics who get those tags," she said.
She added: "If it's OK to accept our money, it should be OK to open your home to us as a family."
Bethany is one of 24 adoption and pregnancy counseling centers in Mississippi that receives money from the sale of Choose Life tags, a special plate that motorists can obtain with an extra fee.
Of $244,000 generated by the sale of the tags in 2004, Bethany received $7,053, said Geraldine Gray, treasurer of Choose Life Mississippi, which distributes the money.
"It is troubling to me if they are discriminating based on only the Catholics," Gray said.
Jesus gave authority to continue spreading the Gospel to His Apostles. The Apostles appointed successors, bishops, to continue the mission. There are only 2 branches that have valid apostolic succession: Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
Used to be that Catholics were the original Christians and the other "Christians" were known as Protestants. Am I to understand that now it is two separate religions ? Are the denominations and the evangelicals two separate religions too ?
Why, the Christian Faith, of course. The whole thing.
People like you are an embarrassment. Go away.
If that's the case, then I need to choose my words more carefully before I post.
They have a big problem with Freedom and self defense. They sued to get MN's concealed carry law overturned, for instance.
Let's not start a religious flme war over a non-issue.
I know several Catholic crisis pregnancy centers in the Philadelphia area who refer their clients who are considering adoption to the local branch of Bethany - which is a pro-life adoption agency. I suspect this policy relates only to this branch in Jacksonville.
That said, if Bethany only wants to adopt to non-Catholic Christians that certainly is their right. However, I believe this policy would cost them a lot of money. Catholic Social Services in Philly, who also takes money from lots of different sources, will act as an adopting agent for anyone.
???
Well, my wife likes Hinn. She seems to get a lot out of his preaching.
Something about him doesn't sit quite right with me, however. I have never heard him preach heresy or anything unbiblical, but it's just a gut reaction.
I could be wrong.
The fundamental problem with Catholic Charities is that if they are in a diocese which has been run by a weak or counterproductive bishop, you get ridiculous people in charge who do ridiculous things like that.
You won't find Catholic Charities in Nebraska or Alabama getting involved in that garbage.
That is the Tulsa Diocese's policy, not Catholic Charities. I know for a fact that Catholic Charities allows children to be adopted by Protestants- in fact I know of a black Baptist couple who is finalizing an adoption from Catholic Charities next week. They have told the agency that they plan on raising the child as a Baptist.
That's why Billy Graham was so loved for so many years. He always stuck to a basic gospel message.
This is actually a requirement of the Korean government, and nothing to do with specific agencies guidelines.
not only that, but the bible that they so ferverently preach from, was written by catholics!!!!!!!!!
I agree.
The "name it claim it," prosperity gospel is no Gospel at all.
It smacks of sorcery.
I believe that in all matters of faith and life, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the final authority.
Some would interpret this to mean "not the Pope" and not tradition.
Jesus is the one in whom we are called to put our hope, our only hope for forgiveness of sin and for reconciliation with God and with one another.
Some also believe that Catholics are a Marion cult.
Who's Benny Hinn? Seriously.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.