In Arkansas there is a bill saying homosexuals can not adopt or foster do you think this is right?

Question

To me taking away rights for homosexuals is so wrong, it's only confirming the fact that government doesn't believe we live in a seperation of church and state (according the bible being homosexual is "wrong").

Answer 1

Yes, it is most definitely wrong! As far as I know it hasn't passed the Senate yet though - fingers crossed they strike it down!

The testimony given for the support of the bill was completely ludicrous. It seems people still haven't figured out that being homosexual does not make you a pedophile. There are just as many heterosexual people out there who are pedophiles. What exactly does a persons sexual preference have to do with being a fit guardian? This is just another sort of discrimination.

And to further the bill to say that even blood relatives of these children can not adopt if they are homosexual? This is completely ridiculous!

And, by the by, I am an Arkansas resident - not all people are for this amendment.

Answer 2

No. Not because I support any spectrum of the issue, but imagine the bill reading something like: Blacks cannot adopt or foster a child.. would that be wrong?

It is not related to discrimination as much as it is to equal protection under the law. If whites can vote, blacks should be able to vote. If strait couples can adopt a child, gays should be able to adopt a child.

Furthermore, one can go as far as to make a first amendment claim on questioning the merits of the statute. What is the reason for such a law? If there is no social injury, then why would government create this statute? May it be because of a religious view shared by the majority of the people in Arkansas that under Christian ideals, homosexuality is wrong? That seems to me like it is imposing ones religion on the minorities who do not share the same religious interpretation on Christianity or of other faiths. Which would make that statute unconstitutional on two counts.

However, even if the statute is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court cannot simply declare it so. A suit has to make its way through the court system of Arkansas, reach the Federal District Court, then be appealed to the Federal Court of Appeals, then the party in question will ask the Supreme Court for certurari. If the court grants it, it will listen to the case, and hopefully rule it unconstitutional.

Answer 3

I agree with you, although it's not exactly taking away rights, seeing as homosexuals have never had those rights. I don't understand why a monogamous gay couple, who is extensively background checked (like any straight couple would be), shouldn't be eligible to take care of a kid who is desperate for a loving family. I've seen a documentary about kids growing up with gay parents (biological kids, they had before they came out), and these kids are very well adjusted and seemed happy. Love is love, no matter who it comes from...and that is what a kid really needs.

EDIT: First amendment, establishment clause: Congress shall make NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . . ." (for the guy who feel it is not mentioned in our Constitution, well although the actual words "separation of church and state" aren't there, I feel this statement is pretty clear.)

Answer 4

i don't think adopting a child is a "Right". Its a privledge granted by the state or government to those who have proven capable and willing to provide an environment suitible to raising a child. Adopting is a rigorous process and there are many other things that would disqualify someone from the priviledge of adopting.

Clearly the people in Arkansas feel that a homosexual home does not provide that. You can disagree with that assumption on what makes a stable good home for raising a child, but don't be confused on the concept of "Rights".

Speaking of rights . . . The state does have rights . . . the "Right" to pass laws. If you disagree with them then vote out the people who passed the laws.

Answer 5

Religion and morals aside, some people still feel that homosexuality is unnatural because two people of the same sex cannot reproduce. There is certainly plenty of evidence that supports a child having strong, positive parental role models of both sexes.

Anyway, one of the things that makes this country great is states' rights. If the people of Arkansas want to pass such a law, people who don't like it are free to live elsewhere. My biggest fear about such issues is not really anything to do with homosexuals, but fear of what comes next if we take away states' rights.

Answer 6

Not only do I think it's wrong...the Children are the ones who will suffer because there would be less of a chance that they will ever be able to live any kind of home life.

Any kind of home life is better than being kept in an institution. Many of these Children are looking to be Loved and they don't care what type of home situation they go to...as long as it is a Loving and stable one.

I have Gay Friends and to be honest...their relationships seem to be better and more stable than most straight relationships of people I know.

Answer 7

I think it is wrong, even though technically it is not a "right". It is a privilege.
We have so many children in the system right now that need a family and the "right wingers" who are up in arms about "homos" adopting are the same ones that are not lining up to take these children into their own homes.
I can think right now of a case in FL where thanks to Anita Bryant and her right wing "Christian" diatribe, it is okay for gays to foster but not okay for them to adopt which is a crock of sh*t.
These guys took in child who was exposed ot heroin in the womb, cocaine and the HIV virus.
The child's own grandmother did not want him. Yet as soon as they nursed this child back to health, and wanted to adopt him, the grandmother wanted him back. Disgusting.
The "Christian" rationale is that the child should be raised by a man and a woman. I disagree. The child should be raised by those who love them and take care of them and show tolerance. I saw the comment about kids being beaten up because of having gay parents. They get beat up because the kids that do that learn that behavior of intolerance from their "straight" parents.
I am "straight" but I personally feel that we should give these children a chance to have loving homes instead of being passed from foster home to foster home and be part of a system instead of a family.
We still have it in places where, white couples are encouraged to only adopt white children. Ignorance is still rampant.

Answer 8

According to the Bible, murder is "wrong," too - so are the homocide laws contradict the "separation of church and state?"

I know that homosexual sex acts carry greatly increased health risks - government should not be encouraging them.

I don't know the details regarding the psychological evaluation of homosexuality - at times it has been deemed an illness, at times not. What's the science here?

Answer 9

In my personal opinion, a child should have a strong mother and father figure. I'm a traditionalist so I can't honestly say that I agree with you.

I feel for the kids, but I just think a heterosexual parent home is a much healthier enviroment than a homosexual parent one.

Just my opinion, I don't mean to offend.

Answer 10

It's not a 'right' to adopt. Otherwise anyone could demand the right.

It's a privilege just as marriage is a privilege granted by government.

PS: No where in the Constitution is there any mention of the often touted "separation of church and state" phrase.

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