Governor of Texas Approves Law Allowing Denial of Adoption Based on Religion

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Critics voice fears of discrimination against LGBT, non-Christians; argues that the law was never about the welfare of the children

Republican Governor Greg Abbott has finally given his official nod to a [bill that will allow Christian adoption centers to reject applicants who are LGBT, pro-choice and non-Christians. This long fight of the faith-based groups has finally been won, and Christians are now happy that they do not have to compromise on their faith anymore.

Governor of Texas Approves Law that Allows Denial of Adoption Based on Religion[/tweetthis]

Until now, under the ordinances by the Obama-led administration, faith-based adoption centers were not allowed to reject non-Christian applicants from adopting. This caused considerable stress to Christians, who desired the orphaned children to be raised with Christian values.

Critics have condemned this bill as enabling discrimination against people who are non-Christian or gay by preventing them from knowing the joy of parenthood. This also makes it difficult for the children to get adopted. Gay couples, who naturally cannot have children heavily rely on adoption in order to become parents. With the signing of this bill by the governor, this door has been closed for gay couples in Texas.

Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network, slammed the faith-based groups, "This law's clear intent is to allow service providers that receive state tax dollars to misuse religion as a license to discriminate against LGBT families and children in the state’s child-welfare system.” Members of the LGBT have taken a decision to fight against the bill in court.

House Bill 3859 will also allow faith-based medical centers to decline to hand out contraceptives and to even place the children in religious schools. Proponents of the Bill argue the intention is not to discriminate against anyone, but to safeguard the interests of their religions, while also fulfilling social obligations. Under the ordinances of the bill, if religiously-run schools refuse admissions on the basis of faith, they are required to refer the child to another place. Proponents of the bill argue this shows the non-discriminatory nature of the bill.

"Discrimination has won in Texas, and it saddens me that a child can now be denied the chance to live with a deserving family simply because they are LGBTQ,” lamented Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, an LGBT advocacy group, adding that the law was never about the welfare of the children, but rather to give legal endorsement to discrimination against members of the LGBT.

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