After six years of childless marriage, John and Cynthia Burke of Newark decided to adopt a baby boy through a state agency. Since the Burkes were young, scandal-free and solvent, they had no trouble with the New Jersey Bureau of Children's Services—until investigators came to the line on the application that asked for the couple's religious affiliation.True to form my EVIL LIBERAL FRIEND WHINED
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John Burke, an atheist, and his wife, a pantheist, had left the line blank. As a result, the bureau denied the Burkes' application. After the couple began court action, however, the bureau changed its regulations, and the couple was able to adopt a baby boy from the Children's Aid and Adoption Society in East Orange.
Last year the Burkes presented their adopted son, David, now 31, with a baby sister, Eleanor Katherine, now 17 months, whom they acquired from the same East Orange agency. Since the agency endorsed the adoption, the required final approval by a judge was expected to be pro forma. Instead, Superior Court Judge William Camarata raised the religious issue.
Inestimable Privilege. 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."
[ cf Can Atheists Be Parents? ]
Funny that... I thought RELIGION didn't belong in the courts?HELLO!
It's bad enough that there's NO secular health care where I live but now it's invading the court. What's next? They march Frisbeetarians off to the gas chambers while replacing the stars on our flag with crosses?
( email from liberal evil doing evil doer )
HELLO!!!!
Frisbeetarians have always believed in the supreme being of the roundness that revolves and returns in the end to those who truly believe!!!! I mean, it's not like they are 'atheists' or anything....
Besides we are in a most HOLY of All Holy Wars against the unbelievers who are not supporting the transfer of the tax liabilities unto the Unborn UniCorn Baby Jesus as is mandated in the true literal interpretation of the Bible with the Big Spike of Surging Faith!!!
I mean would YOU want innocent children left in the hands of the Unbelievers!!! Those who do not support BushCheney2008 to defeat the defeatist elements????
THINK OF THE INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!!!