A Place of Conviction

In John 16, we can read a passage in which we see Jesus addressing His disciples. He says:
(31b)"Do you now believe?
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

We can become more and more accustomed to evaluating what we believe and standing on those principles.  We may encounter disagreement and hostility, but it's important that we think and act in a manner that is consistent with the teachings of Scripture.  And, when we do, we can experience the presence of God to go with us and to direct us.  He places concepts in our hearts and minds and words in our mouths - He will grow in us the power of conviction.

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1st Peter 3 can provide encouragement when we are chastised or ridiculed for doing good, for attempting to live out the will of God:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

We are now within two weeks of the beginning of Holy Week and within three weeks of the celebration of our Risen Lord on Easter Sunday.

Many parents are, of course, aware and participatory in the practice of the Easter Bunny delivering baskets on that Easter Sunday morning.  The purpose of my commentary is not to debate that tradition, but to highlight how a couple's refusal to teach their children about the big rabbit was the stated impetus for removing two foster children from their foster parents' home.  But, there is apparently more to the story.

Frances and Derek Baars are a Canadian couple, who, based on their Christian convictions, chose not to teach their 3- and 4-year-old foster sisters about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.  Christianity Today reported that:

Their convictions, based on Christian beliefs, raised concerns among the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Hamilton—which took the children away from the Baars with just a day’s notice, citing the couple’s refusal to respect the girls’ cultural traditions.

The article went on to say...

...the Baars assumed there would be instances where their values wouldn’t line up with CAS, a government-approved, secular organization that they knew placed kids with same-sex parents and supported gender transition for youth.

And, the story continues:

CAS staff still brought up Santa with the foster children and urged the Baars to explicitly incorporate the Easter Bunny, specifically “the tradition of the Easter [B]unny bringing chocolate Easter eggs,” according to the court document.

Later, one placement worker, Tracey Lindsay, expressed concern that the Baars would condemn potential gay or lesbian adoptive parents for their girls, though the couple assured her otherwise.

So, there is an even bigger story here - that the Baars had been concerned about the practices of the agency itself; and perhaps the agency had a bias against the couple.

Justice Andrew Goodman of the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario overturned the actions of the CAS.  In the decision, the judge wrote: “It seems likely that Lindsay’s discussion regarding prospective same-sex couples to the Baars was fueled by a potential stereotypical belief in the inability of Christians to support same-sex marriage..."  

Christianity Today states that:

Goodman concluded that CAS violated the Baars’s religious protections under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He ordered that the organization update their file to reflect their standing, so that the Baars’s history won’t keep them from future opportunities to adopt or serve as foster parents. (They have since begun the adoption process in another province.)

The story reports that Baars said:

“The favorable result has been tremendously encouraging for our brothers and sisters in the Lord,” who had joined them to pray that God would “turn the judge’s heart” as he does with the king’s heart in Proverbs 21:1...

The article pointed out that there have been issues concerning religious faith involving adoptionand/or foster agencies in the U.S., with "religious agencies confronting fear or pressure over their requirements for adoptive or foster parents," pointing out:  

South Carolina’s top foster care agency, Miracle Hill, is currently facing legal backlash involving the Palmetto State’s department of social services for requiring that foster parents share its Christian faith.  Last year, Texas and South Dakota passed protections allowing state-funded child welfare agencies to continue to use faith-based restrictions for family placements.

I would also point out that in Alabama, the Legislature passed a bill that would allow private adoption and foster care agencies to set their own criteria for those who would use their services; this would include not allowing LGBT individuals or couples to participate.  It doesn't ban gay couples from adopting or fostering, but it does not penalize faith-based agencies who choose not to place children in such situations.

And, so it goes - there is a propensity for governmental entities to restrict religious freedom - it's all a matter of buying in to a misunderstanding of the concept of "separation of church and state," a phrase used by Thomas Jefferson to actually advocate that the religious freedom of church people would be protected; that it would be wrong for the state to establish a state-sponsored church.  This has been expanded by some, including judges, to inhibit religious expression.  As people of faith, we have to have a clear understanding of our Constitutional rights.

I spoke recently with Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who, based on her deeply-held religious beliefs, would not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the U.S. Supreme Court decision authorizing gay marriage.  She asked for an accommodation, which was ultimately granted - after six days in jail, legislative action, and ultimately a new governor being sworn in.

Many didn't understand her position and while she found quite a bit of support, many decried her as being bigoted. People just don't choose to understand the Biblical position of those, who because of their faith perspective, do not support behavior that does not line up with Scripture - and they are vilified for it!!  But, this should not inhibit Christians from continuing to speak up in accordance with their beliefs and not give in to compromise or intimidation.  When we do take a stand and act in accordance with Scripture, we can be confident in the Lord's presence with and direction for us.  We don't stand in arrogance and anger, but with a compassionate confidence, displaying the character of Christ.