Should Atheists Be Allowed To Adopt?

[JoeyKnothead]

From the site here: Time.com - Atheist couple denied adoption

In an extraordinary decision, Judge Camarata denied the Burkes' right to the child because of their lack of belief in a Supreme Being. Despite the Burkes' "high moral and ethical standards," he said, the New Jersey state constitution declares that "no person shall be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshiping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience." Despite Eleanor Katherine's tender years, he continued, "the child should have the freedom to worship as she sees fit, and not be influenced by prospective parents who do not believe in a Supreme Being."

Topic for debate:

Should atheists be allowed to adopt?

[ConfinedIX]

When I read the article provided by joeyknuccione, I had to close my eyes for a minute and then attempt to reread it without becoming infuriated. Of course Atheist should be allowed to adopt a child. Just because someone is Atheist, it doesn't mean they are bad people or that they are not fit to raise a child. For instance my entire family is religious, however I am an Atheist. Does that mean I am a bad person? Certainly not. To conclude that someone is bad or not fit to raise a based on their religious or non-religious beliefs is ludicrous.

[Cathar1950]

We might question rather some Christians should be allowed to adopt or be judges.

[Science101]

Of course they should be allowed to, though I don't want kids of any kind

[Christanity4ever]

From the site here: Time.com - Atheist couple denied adoption

In an extraordinary decision, Judge Camarata denied the Burkes' right to the child because of their lack of belief in a Supreme Being. Despite the Burkes' "high moral and ethical standards," he said, the New Jersey state constitution declares that "no person shall be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshiping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience." Despite Eleanor Katherine's tender years, he continued, "the child should have the freedom to worship as she sees fit, and not be influenced by prospective parents who do not believe in a Supreme Being."

Topic for debate:

Should atheists be allowed to adopt?

Yes I would be enraged if I were an atheist and denied because of that. What unadulterated crap! I would be calling the ACLU ASAP!

C4E

[Sir Rhetor]

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;

That would certainly be discrimination based on race. Anyways, how do they judge whether someone is atheist or not? I suppose if parents wanted the child enough, they could lie about their religion. Or, they could always say they belong to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (thus not atheist).

[Christanity4ever]

I don't see how this would fly its illegal to discriminate on the base of religion, or lack of isn't it?

C4