First I want to share a picture of the lovely rose I received from one of my cast members Sunday. That was the last performance of our comedy show “Anne-Arky,” and we had a cast party afterward, which was as much fun as the show.
Now just a bit of a rant. When I read this news item about proposed legislation in Austin, I had to publicly announce that I am ashamed to be a Texan.
Parents seeking to adopt children in Texas could soon be rejected by state-funded or private agencies with religious objections to them being Jewish, Muslim, gay, single, or interfaith couples, under a proposal in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Republican sponsors of the bill justify the proposal, saying it will support the religious freedom of adoption agencies and foster care providers. Many of those agencies are private and faith-based, but still receive state funds.
Some people who commented on a post on Facebook said that even if the proposed legislation passes a vote in the legislature, it will be overturned because it is unconstitutional.
Well, fine, but in the meantime children who need a loving home won’t get one because someone disagrees with the beliefs or lifestyle of a potential foster or adoptive couple. Really? Is that for the good of the child? And aren’t these agencies supposed to be looking out for the good of the child?
It’s not just Republicans in Texas who are fostering such bigoted propaganda. The Federal Government, under the leadership of Trump, is doing the same. In the first 100 days of the new presidency, we have seen the rise of a white supremacist male-dominated Christian theocracy. Frank Schaeffer has a terrific article on Patheos.com, a website that hosts conversations on faith. Schaeffer’s article provides more details about how the Religious Right is firmly entrenched in policy at the highest levels in Washington.
On a personal level, I am very tired of the Republican Party deciding that Christianity has to be the religion of America, and Christian beliefs are the only ones of value. I am a Christian, but unlike some other Christians, I honor and respect those of other faiths. Ultimately, we all answer to one God.
Now, because I need to de-stress a bit after my rant, I will read this article, The Therapeutic Benefits of Writing a Novel, on Writer Unboxed by Jessica Lourey And then I will work a bit on my own novel.
Well, the article wasn’t what I expected, but it is a terrific post on using fiction to work through some tough issues, like the loss of a spouse. Good tips there, so it is worth checking out.
Thanks, Maryann, for speaking out. I am often ashamed of being a Texan. If more of us have the courage to stand up to bigotry, perhaps we can bend that arc back toward justice for all.
So glad you liked the post, Myra. We have to do a lot of bending to get things turned around. I remember in the 60s I thought we were making great progress and was so excited to be part of the Civil Rights Movement. I was idealistic enough to think that if we just open everybody’s eyes… Sigh…
Beautiful flower, and spot on rant. And what it also does is make it inevitable that children who are born into another faith will be indoctrinated into the Christianity of their adoptive parents. So much culture and diversity lost…and I would guess that these same people would be really upset if the tables were turned and Christians were not allowed to adopt. And you are right about the issue not being so much that it will be overturned- to my way of thinking, the issue is that something this terrible has any support from people at all.
Khadijah, it doesn’t seem to matter to those in power that some of these children may have been born into another faith. Christianity is all that matters. Almost makes me want to change religions when I change states. LOL
Excellent point on a very sensitive subject. Making adoption as easy as possible while ensuring the safety of the children MUST be the main goal of any “reform” of adoption law. Though ending abortion and assuring that EVERY child was wanted and loved, is a noble effort, so long as impulsive people conceive children without thought, we will always have abortion -whether it is legal or not. Let’s not make it any harder to get those kids into loving, nurturing homes.
I agree with the points you made, Val. There are way too many kids born into this world without loving, caring parents, and we need to make it as easy as possible for loving, responsible people of any background to adopt them.