Faith-based child placement agencies have a Constitutionally protected right, under federal and state law, to make decisions that are consistent with their religious beliefs, including their beliefs about marriage and family life. In the American Constitution, it is clear that our founders intended to ensure that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Many faith-based agencies hold that Bible is the authoritative Word of God, and Scripture is clear that God opposes same sex. "...God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: ²⁷ And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly." Romans I: 26-27.

In light of Scripture's consistent teaching against homosexuality, the proposed regulation would amount to the government's denial of free exercise of the faith position for any who hold the Scriptures to be a guide to life and family. Requiring faith based agencies to permit adoption of children by homosexual individuals or "couples would put a child in a situation totally contrary to the agencies (and possibly the biological parents') faith practice and belief. On April 20, the State Board of Social Services correctly upheld the fundamental right of faith-based child placement agencies to continue their great work of helping children and families without governmental intrusion into the practice of their faith. The foundational right must be respected and protected.

I urge rejection of the proposed regulation that would in practice discriminate against faith-based child placement agencies by forcing them to adopt children to homosexuals or cease performing their mission of helping children.

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