Can Atheists Be Parents?

A Proud Liberal · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:54 am

Cross posted in EDUCATION, PARENTING, OUR SOCIETY, and CULTURAL ISSUES

Can Atheists Be Parents?

Time wrote:

After six years of childless marriage, John and Cynthia Burke of Newark decided to adopt a baby boy through a state agency. Since the Burkes were young, scandal-free and solvent, they had no trouble with the New Jersey Bureau of Children's Services—until investigators came to the line on the application that asked for the couple's religious affiliation.

John Burke, an atheist, and his wife, a pantheist, had left the line blank. As a result, the bureau denied the Burkes' application. After the couple began court action, however, the bureau changed its regulations, and the couple was able to adopt a baby boy from the Children's Aid and Adoption Society in East Orange.

Last year the Burkes presented their adopted son, David, now 31, with a baby sister, Eleanor Katherine, now 17 months, whom they acquired from the same East Orange agency. Since the agency endorsed the adoption, the required final approval by a judge was expected to be pro forma. Instead, Superior Court Judge William Camarata raised the religious issue.
. . . . . .

One of fundies' favorite mantras is how judicial activism is ruining America. I don't see them running to the defense of this couple when the activism favors the religious right's POV.

Catherine · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:34 am

Quote:

Last year the Burkes presented their adopted son, David, now 31, with a baby sister, Eleanor Katherine, now 17 months, whom they acquired from the same East Orange agency. Since the agency endorsed the adoption, the required final approval by a judge was expected to be pro forma. Instead, Superior Court Judge William Camarata raised the religious issue

.

I hope there's a word missing after the number 31...like maybe MONTHS? If it's YEARS...read on....

Jeez...why would a couple want to adopt a child if they've already got one that's 31 years old IF that's the case? I KNOW there are older people who like the idea of being parents to young children, but I fail to see the wisdom in it, nor do I fail to see the attraction of it. Give me peace, quiet, and a little bit of money during my "golden years!" :wink:

It seems to me that the religious issue in things like this is something that makes headlines and grabs the fleeting attention of the fickle public for a few minutes. I'm glad the issues are challenged every time...and I hope they're continued to be won by those that believe freedom FROM religion is an important part of being an American citizen.

lefty · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:54 am

Wow, that pisses me off in about 59 different ways. If it were the done because they were trying to "save" the children from some dreadful upbringing, why aren't children taken away from mormon bigamists? Or from the snake handler churchy people? Or from the maniacs who think they can speak in tongues and writhe around on the floor of their church like they are having a seizure? Why does it have to be that they are trying to stop normal, non-supernatural believing people from adopting children?
And then for that matter, how come these fundies are so against abortion and will let any fucking idiot with the correct parts propagate to their hearts content, all the while beating their other 3 kids or starving them or any other form of torture, but if you are thoughtful enough to want to adopt a child that is parentless you are somehow held to higher standards than the 13 year olds who are having kids and leaving them in toilets and garbage cans? Ya, that makes TONS of sense.

dori · **Posted:** Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:57 am

I second you lefty, but have to add one term. Snowflake babies.

Can Atheists Be Parents?

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