Prime Minister: Court was right in foster row case
DAVID Cameron says Christians should be "tolerant and welcoming" after hearing how a Derby couple were barred from being foster parents because of their views on homosexuality.
Eunice Johns and her husband Owen were effectively prevented by a judge from becoming foster parents after telling a social worker they would not tell a child that homosexuality was acceptable.
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David Cameron brought his Cabinet to meet at Rolls-Royce in Derby yesterday. During his visit, he was given a tour of the company. He is pictured with, from left, director John Griffiths, chief executive Sir John Rose and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. More on the Cabinet's historic visit to the city on Pages 2, 3, 4,& 5.
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Owen and Eunice Johns are considering whether to appeal.
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Owen and Eunice Johns
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They are considering an appeal but the Prime Minister, who was told of the case yesterday while in Derby to hold a meeting of his Cabinet, said the judge's decision should stand.
Pointing out that he also went to church, Mr Cameron said: "This matter was decided by a court in the appropriate way and I think we should rest with the judgement that was made."
Asked if he thought Christian views were incompatible with an acceptance of homosexuality he said: "I think Christians should be tolerant and welcoming and broad minded."
Mr Cameron made the comments as he visited Rolls-Royce, where he held his Cabinet meeting. It was only the second such gathering the Coalition Government had held outside Westminster.
A spokesman for the Johns said Mr Cameron's response was "lacking in any understanding of the critical situation and conflict between the two groups involved".
In an exclusive interview with the Derby Telegraph, Mr Cameron also hinted that the Government was planning help for drivers suffering burgeoning petrol prices.
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by Peter, Northants
Friday, March 11 2011, 7:46PM
“The Bible clearly teaches that Sodomy/Homosexuality is sinful. Any Christian who bases their faith on the Bible should believe that. It is not bigoted of homophobic.
Homophobia is a hatred of homosexuals; Christians hate the sin but love the sinner and want to see them delivered from their sin. Jesus did the same; he hated sin but loved the sinners. His morals were perfect and they hated it so much they put him to death for it on trumped up charges. But by his sacrifice on Calvary¿s Cross He bridged the gap between a Holy God and Sinful Man and made a way for us to be saved.
It again seems that having good morals is now considered to be wrong. Looking at many of the comments above it seems that it is the secularists who are intolerant and narrow minded and bigoted.
Christians are already the most discriminated against group in the UK. Persecution will never stop us living holy lives that glorify God, doing what is right and declaring His truth.”
by Peter, Northants
Friday, March 11 2011, 7:45PM
“The Bible clearly teaches that Sodomy/Homosexuality is sinful. Any Christian who bases their faith on the Bible should believe that. It is not bigoted of homophobic.
Homophobia is a hatred of homosexuals; Christians hate the sin but love the sinner and want to see them delivered from their sin. Jesus did the same; he hated sin but loved the sinners. His morals were perfect and they hated it so much they put him to death for it on trumped up charges. But by his sacrifice on Calvary¿s Cross He bridged the gap between a Holy God and Sinful Man and made a way for us to be saved.
It again seems that having good morals is now considered to be wrong. Looking at many of the comments above it seems that it is the secularists who are intolerant and narrow minded and bigoted.
Christians are already the most discriminated against group in the UK. Persecution will never stop us living holy lives that glorify God, doing what is right and declaring His truth.”
by Stephen, Derby
Wednesday, March 09 2011, 12:29AM
“This actually has nothing to do with religion. In this case, religion is just the reason (or excuse) for bigotry.
I wonder, if in 2011, a virgin wife became pregnant by an unknown source (not her 'friend' Gabriel of course, he just told her about it), would her husband accuse her of adultry and divorce her, or celebrate and start a religion?”
by Craig, Derby
Wednesday, March 09 2011, 12:24AM
“So the arrival of David Cameron has once again revived this much debated story. The result, Stephen, Arnold and 'Incey' being very silly and flexing their muscles. Great!
Carole, the question wasn't whether they would promote homosexuality as good, it was whether they could refrain from saying it was bad, which they couldn't. A subtle but important difference.”
by MarkF, Hull, UK
Tuesday, March 08 2011, 11:51PM
“I fail to spot how being tolerant and broad-minded rests with an Inquisition to exclude Foster Carers of 15 children on the basis that, "all we were not willing to do was to tell a small child that the practice of homosexuality was a good thing." The PM cozily forgot the Beatitudes and that to love the Lord is to love the new life released by scriptures.”
by Ezz, Derby
Tuesday, March 08 2011, 11:42PM
“jonnybananas
Look at it this way Jonny, if God doesn't have to justify his existence. Which if he does exist he evidently doesn't seem to think so, if the amount of atheists is anything to go by. Why should you to anybody?
But the same could be said for the Christian couple as well. Religious freedom isn't something to be underestimated, because it's still just a belief, and taking away a person's right to believe is pretty much the ultimate tyranny. They shouldn't be punished for it, especially in an area where they'd clear be of benefit to people in need.
The bigger problem is our causal acceptance of our unelected overlords telling us what makes people good parents (foster or otherwise) .
It's dangerous, the same way causally accepting a "radical" Muslim's interpretations of the Quran.
Looking to a man as God is pretty much the biggest sin of all.
Cameron says he wants to do away with Big Government, and usher in Big Society. Yet his opinions on this matter suggest the contrary.”
by tim, derby
Tuesday, March 08 2011, 11:17PM
“this has got out of hand this has turned in a battle between to groups now comon sence has gone weather u are gay or straght makes no differance to weather you can look after children the law says homosexuality is acceptable fare comment does not mean i believe its right and i am not religious just my opinun glad my address is not printed as i know i would have the gay rights movment at my door we are all the same human beings no one is better then anyone eles this is all because of a offer sentive socal worker who could not use common sence i hope the couple win there case because we need foster carrers like them which is people who care and i hope gay poeple keep fostering children and lets remember this is helping children nothing eles”
by jonnybananas, DE22
Tuesday, March 08 2011, 10:27PM
“I am not a religious person myself and am gay.
My suggestion for this couple and followers of any religion is that they should place a little more faith in their god that homosexuality is part of his plan. It may not be clear to us at this time but surely your faith guides you to accept god's will even if you do not understand it or it feels wrong at the time. We do not all know and understand everything in life. It is a fact that a significant percentage of the human race is attracted to their own sex. It has happened throughout the globe and history. We now know this IS part of human sexuality, even if we don't know why. Our understanding is improving all the time and we should not be applying the standards of knowledge from many centuries ago to present day situations.
I just urge that people take a step back and when so much pride is taken in your faith then you can have a little more trust in it. Does god not work in mysterious ways?”
by Incy insiiiiiiight, Oh darn I fell off my web, spinning up
Tuesday, March 08 2011, 9:47PM
“Mum -
You are right.
Which religious crank can claim it wouldn't be damaging to tell a child or emerging adolescent that their questioning of their sexuality is basically wrong.
Would-be web-spinners, heed the spidy Incy.
Two legs good, eight legs better.”
by Incy's spinning overtime, Many a good fly has been eaten on an old web
Tuesday, March 08 2011, 9:43PM
“Stephen, Derby:
You are old-hat. You're using the old 'I can't take your money' response to my genuine offer of a wager/competition on the point of administrative (that's another term for constitutional) law.
Talk about not being credible: yes it may be a complete waste of time, yes I may be rude (I blame it on my arachnid origins) and yes you may detest me, but the fact is I believe in my argument and it's based on reason, which is a facet of intellect. Intellect relates to the mind for your awareness.
Supporters of God - take heed that Christianity is on the wane.
People don't need him/her anymore.
God is superfluous, and he doesn't bring me enough flies even if he does exist which I don't believe he does.
Where's my spider-lager?”