(See action request at the end of the article.)
It is not a new trend for the Church to take care of children, especially those who are at risk. James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” The Church has acted this out in a myriad of ways: whether that be through local toy drives, sponsoring children through organizations like Compassion International, or ultimately fostering or adopting a child.
A recent study found that Christians are nearly three times more likely than non-Christians to seriously consider foster care. Further, Pew Research found that 65 percent of non-related foster parents attend religious services weekly. We, as Christians, should encourage one another to “look after orphans and widows” as we strive to become more like Christ. Part of fostering and adopting children is shepherding that child to be the best image-bearer he or she can be by mirroring Christ, thus adhering to His eternal truths that are in the Bible. So, when the government tries to dictate what a parent can do that diverts from the truths of the Scriptures, Christians must speak out. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration has diverted from these truths.
Earlier this year, the Administration announced a proposed rule that will require foster parents to “utilize the child’s identified pronouns, chosen name, and allow the child to dress in an age-appropriate manner that the child believes reflects their self-identified gender identity and expression.” If the parents do not comply, they will not be considered a “safe” home and cannot have children placed in their care. This is an egregious overreach of the federal government and seriously hinders religious liberty. Possibly more disturbing than this is if Christians are the family units that largely foster, the Administration is at fault for seriously denying a child a safe home with parents who will care and love for them as their own.
Thankfully, Rep. Jim Banks (R-Indiana) recently introduced the Sensible Adoption For Every (SAFE) Home Act that Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee was ecstatic to endorse. The SAFE Act says that no adoption or foster care entity that receives federal assistance can deny a family’s willingness to foster or adopt based on their nonadherence to the progressive belief of gender ideology, aka a boy cannot be a girl or vice versa. This is a commonsense piece of legislation that we hope every member of Congress will endorse. Any person who is okay with knowingly denying a child from a loving home is not an individual who is keeping the interest of the child top of mind.
Take Action!
Call your Representative today and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 6658, the SAFE Home Act.