Philo

You asked "How do you define a CHILD as homosexual?

I don't know how to tell if a young child is gay - it probably isn't possible and who cares really given most children don't express or explore their sexuality until in their mid-late teens.

Gay family members and work colleagues talk about knowing from quite a young age (teens) that they were different from their peers, being attracted to those of the same gender. I cannot speak from experience other than observing for a couple of gay relatives who were 'suspected' of being gay quite early on. Parents and others usually have an inkling.

Thankfully they were both accepted by family and friends (including religious relatives) without harsh judgement or punishment, and lots of open discussion and support - vital in a world that still demonises homosexuality.

What I am arguing is that every gay person was once a child and at some point become more aware of their sexuality. How will this realisation be handled in an anti-homosexual household?

I am personally not arguing that there be a ban on Christians being foster parents (or any religious parents) only if their religion manifests itself into conditions that make their suitability questionable as detailed previously. Gay parents should also be limited if they are fundamentalists and into conditioning children to being gay (as far as that is even possible).

Children should be allowed to develop as they would naturally without outside interference or judgement. We don't want to go back to the good ol' day when homosexuals were subject to electric shock treatment just for developing differently to the norm (or average).

Pelican, I know I have shared this experience on another thread, but it is worth repeating at this point of time.

My Godson was 'different' from other boys by the age of three.
He loved to dress in his mother's clothing and had a female shoe fascination. He preferred girl's toys and playing with girls for his entire childhood, and was mercilessly bullied by other boys for all his years of schooling.

He was a lovely, gentle boy who excelled at the arts.
I heard from many people who knew him during his childhood and teen years that he was 'probably Gay'.

His father was a strict, church-going, Anglican, self confessed homophobe, and his Mother nearly as devout. They were a good supportive family throughout his childhood.

At the age of 18 he 'came out' to his parents as a gay man.

They were both extremely shocked and distressed.
No one else was surprised.

How would you account for that Proxy?
You never answered in my last post about this true story?

I find this all a bit curious.

There are various shades of christian ... many are nominal, never attending church nor associating with christian groups. Some are even homosexuals ...

Being secular does not mean being free from prejudice ... some are homophobic.

Most important are the the needs of the child ... and what potential foster parents can offer. Each case should be looked at on its merits.

Categorizing people by labels ... christian, secular, whatever, is hardly helpful ... especially when there are children needing loving and supportive homes.

Re some of the first few posts, some of you have nailed it as a possible exaggeration. Indeed, the way the story/report is presented is designed to maximize the distress/panic among Christians.

That aside there are some serious issues at stake.

1/ The statement "the relevant authorities have deemed as correct for that child." raises the issue of 'from what value base' do these 'authorities' work ? Imagine such a case happening in 1962 ? hardly.
It would be assumed that due correction of a child regarding homosexual matters would be mandatory. So....'whats changed'?

I still point to the impact in academia of Marcuse Essay in 1965
Paragraph 1:

//The conclusion reached is that the realization of the objective of tolerance would call for intolerance toward prevailing policies, attitudes, opinions, and the extension of tolerance to policies, attitudes, and opinions which are outlawed or suppressed.//

If a child was to be fostered by a Muslim couple, would the council say "If the child has Christian ideas, you have to tell them it's ok". Given that Christian belief is the 'worst crime of mankind' according to strict Islam, this might cause problems.

QUESTION. Should the council worker have asked such a loaded question which begged a distinctive 'Christian' answer?

'Do you know, you would have to tell them that it's OK to be homosexual?'

Because this question is based on the "Equality Act" we must ask if the council worker would have asked an ATHEIST couople "Do you realize that you will have to tell the child it's ok to be Christian?"

Would they go through a huge checklist reflecting all aspects of the Equality Act with every couple?

This is the point... such things as "Equality" acts are an attempt to 'codify' all aspects of human behavior and belief, bringing it under State control. This is "National Socialism".

SUZ.....

You are suggesting that being 'gay' means being effeminate. It might not be that way.

You are also demonstrating that 'male-ness' and 'female-ness' is genetic. That certain behavior follows from our different male/female genetic makeup.

I suggest that in the case of your godson, he may have some medical issue happening. It might be genetic, a mutation, which is suggested by the fact that his behavior was so noticeably different/female from such an early age. I say 'mutation' with the kindest intent. Same as for those born with both gender genitalia.

The issue there is to assist such a person come to grips with this reality (as for a child with any kind of abnormality or such as cerebral palsy) and live as best one can with it.

Keep in mind, that there are advocates for inter-generational and/or incestuous sex popping up with increasing frequency and claiming legitimacy. There's no easy answer for the situation of your godson.

It is obvious from suzeonline example of her godson that the Christian or even homophobic attitudes of the parents in the home did not make a difference to the choices of the child as an adult. Obviously he did not feel restricted or verbal abuse.