[Fostertoforever]

Did you hear how Tony Dungy (former SuperBowl-winning coach of the Indianapolis Colts) is promoting adoption during halftime?

Check out his touching video about adoption!
Tony Dungy SuperBowl Adoption Video

Are you watching the big game with family/friends?

[teacher1998]

Posted it to facebook. Thank you!!!

[Moja]

I heard of it the other day. You know, my feelings are split. I am thrilled that he is using his position and perspective as an adoptive father to raise awareness, but it bothers me that religion is being tied to it. They say, "Their hope is to encourage more Christians to consider adoption."

I do hope that more Christians consider adoption, but I also hope more atheists, and humanists, and Jews, and... well, you get the point. I know this is based on his beliefs, and I do not in any way begrudge him for that. I just wish the push was going to be more universal.

[Forevernmyheart]

Thanks for the link. I also posted this on Facebook.

[Fostertoforever]

Thanks for sharing! Finding adoptive homes for orphans is the ultimate goal!

[URmysunshine4]

Moja I couldn't agree with you more, not sure what adoption has to do with religion.

[MomInCorazon]

I am all for anything that promotes adoption but I cringe at the repeated use of the word orphan. It is an out-dated term with negative connotations (think dead parents, abandonment) and I think there are more appropriate and positive ways to describe kids who need a permanent home. JMO.

[dolphindreams]

this is my own personal thought and opinion but i believe the remark about encouraging more Christians to adopt is simply because one of the things Jesus said we should do in the bible is to take care of the widows and orphans (James 1:27). If more Christians were doing this, as they should, then there would be less of a need. i don't think the comment is meant to mean that it is not also a good thing for people who are not Christians to adopt. It's just that it should be something that Christians as a whole take responsibility for.

[momto1g1b]

Thanks for the link. I shared it on Facebook.

[jcm]

Originally Posted by Moja

I heard of it the other day. You know, my feelings are split. I am thrilled that he is using his position and perspective as an adoptive father to raise awareness, but it bothers me that religion is being tied to it. They say, "Their hope is to encourage more Christians to consider adoption."

I do hope that more Christians consider adoption, but I also hope more atheists, and humanists, and Jews, and... well, you get the point. I know this is based on his beliefs, and I do not in any way begrudge him for that. I just wish the push was going to be more universal.

Agreed, and also the term "orphan" rubs me the wrong way. I also find it bothersome to guilt Christians into doing their duty by adopting. People should adopt because they want to grow their family, not because religion tells them they need to be some poor orphan's savior. Rubs me the wrong way entirely.

[Rosey23]

Like others the term orphan bothered me. In the last 2 years in my research on adoption and foster care I have never heard the term orphan used.

I certainly wish there was better media attention regarding adoption and foster care, so it seems a step in the right direction. However, the religious tone and use of orphan seemed completely out of line with my experience with foster care and adoption.

[Moja]

Originally Posted by dolphindreams

this is my own personal thought and opinion but i believe the remark about encouraging more Christians to adopt is simply because one of the things Jesus said we should do in the bible is to take care of the widows and orphans (James 1:27). If more Christians were doing this, as they should, then there would be less of a need. i don't think the comment is meant to mean that it is not also a good thing for people who are not Christians to adopt. It's just that it should be something that Christians as a whole take responsibility for.

I truly appreciate your position. However, I don't like the reminder that caring for children ("orphans" in biblical terms) is being presented as an obligation. If you are not called, you should not do it. Period. One of my good friends growing up was adopted from an Asian orphanage when her parents served in Korea with the military. She was adopted because her church had what they called "The James One Project". They were "encouraging" (read that as manipulating) every member of their church to adopt. They openly talked about this project and how many of these families only adopted because they were made to appear un-Christ-like if they didn't follow suit. The result? A great number of children who felt like they were only in their family so the parents could kiss the churches collective rear end. They had people adopting multiple children to prove they had a deeper commitment than the family in the next pew.

Fostering or adopting should be a calling, not something based on religious pressure.

That said, I think it's wonderful when ANY family feels called and follows through on that calling. When a family is truly called by whatever higher power, the children in their home are there because they have the love to spare and typically they know it.

[URmysunshine4]

I am a Christian but religious references might turn some potentially qualified people off. Other than that and the word orphan I thought the message was awesome. When celebrities endorse views it tends to get everyone thinking and hopefully that is what happens. JMO

[stydolph]

In the reference to the scripture on James and the example given of the Korean family, I have to respond to this. No Christians should be "guilted" into a job (within the church) or child or anything. I say this a lot, but don't make judgments on Christianity based on the actions of the followers, which I know may sound weird but the only place you could find the truth so to speak is by seeing what the Bible says about it. (and not picking and choosing a few verses and place everything in the proper context.)

As to the James scripture, we are all (christians) given certain gifts which for some is taking care of children who need parents, some widows, some have talents in other areas like teaching or disaster relief or preaching. The key is that if you are called, than do not ignore it. Also, there are two different levels to this, one is a personal gift and calling, and also a corporate or church calling. The "church" is called to support those kids and widows, and I know from the homes we support here, it can do some tremendous work for kids.

[Fostertoforever]

Originally Posted by Moja

I truly appreciate your position. However, I don't like the reminder that caring for children ("orphans" in biblical terms) is being presented as an obligation. If you are not called, you should not do it. Period.

Renowned adoption advocate Russell Moore came right out and wrote Don't Adopt. "Get a cat."

I love that even though an advocate for adoption, he doesn't believe that every Christian should adopt.