[SuburbanMom]

I see lots of listings where a pbmom is requesting a Christian family. There are several agencies that are "Christian" agencies and require a statement of faith to be signed.

Is "Christian" in this case a way to refer to anyone who practices a religon believing in Jesus (ie Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, etc.). Or is it more specific - in that if someone were asked what religon they were would actually respond "Christian".

My intention is not to spark a debate. I just would like some a little clarification. Thanks!

[Linny]

Not a bad question! I THINK it has to do with 'do you believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour'. We have had to fill out statements of faith before, and this is the way we interpreted it. We are both, born-again Christians, and we include this in our profile too.

Sincerely,

Linny

[lucyjoy]

All the religions you mentioned consider themselves christian. (Some may debate catholisism, but being raised catholic, I consider it christian as does the church itself). Christianity is the belief that the only salvation of man is through the belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus given to us by the grace of God.
(I was taught that as a catholic which I add simply because I often hear this debated.)

Hope this is helpful. You are also probably not the only person with this question.

[DianeS]

I think that's a question you'd have to ask of the person who actually used the word "Christian"--to so many people it can mean so many different things.

I consider myself a non-denominational, evangelical, Christian--but I have seen Christian statements of faith that I could not sign. They simply contained details that I didn't believe.

Some people think of "christianity" as a value system (as in "judeo-christian morals and values"), others think of it as church attendance or membership (as in "please provide your Christian record"), and others think of it as strictly a religion (as in "a convert to Christianity").

Any one of those can obviously exist without the others. So, to be safe, I'd ask for an explanation any time you're in doubt about the way someone else is using that term.

[SMUpony]

I believe you are quite right in thinking that the term "Christian" can be used to describe any religion other than Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. Maybe the birthmother should rather ask more specifically that the adoptive parents be born again. If she is of a particular denomination, then, she might specify which she prefers.

[Robbye]

SuburbanMom that is a great question! My DH and I wanted to make sure our faith was prominent in our HS and birthmom letter. We are both born-again Christians and plan to raise our children as such. So clarification in stating what/how YOU consider yourself will help the bmom in choosing (or not).

We have been told that it was a little too 'religious' but we stuck with what we felt the Lord led us to write. Our birthmom felt it was great that we have a strong faith commitment.

We are blessed with a match and will be knee deep in diapers in about 6 weeks!

[DonnaLynn]

It is my thought on this that Christian is well exactly that as long as you get to Christ, I am believe that the path is up to you and how He leads you to Him.

My family although my parents were not church goers. Is Assembly of God, I started participation in this church at 17.

I was a Sunday school leader and Team leader for youth groups.
For YEARS.
After several moves and much time not feeling comfortable in new churches, I stopped attending.

Well God had another plan for me, while I was a student studing surgery there was a paitent that was dieing all I could think to do was pray. So I went up to the hospital chapel(which is Catholic)
while I was praying an elderly nun came up and placed her hand on my shoulder and said "child the Lord has heard your prayers and it will be fine" Well I blurted out "But sister I am not even Catholic"(beings as it was a Catholic chapel) She smile and said"You are now"
And so I am I spent then next 2 years learning about the Catholic faith in RCIA. I took my time wanting to be sure I really understood and it was right path for me. Wouldnt you know it, it was 2 months later I met the man who is now my husband.
Yea, you guessed it he is and has always been Catholic.
Christian means Christ Like

Oh to be able to say everyday I am a Christian, that is lifes greatest blessing. It lasts forever...

Love to all
Donna

[SuburbanMom]

Thanks for your responses. (DonnaLynn, that's a really neat story.) We've been considering widening our search by registering with multiple agencies and I think I'll just have to evaluate each statement of faith independently for the Christian agencies. While I consider myself Christian (of the Catholic persuasion), there have been statements of faith I would not agree with. I guess this is why religon is such a personal matter.

[lucy2]

Donna: I used to be Assemblies of God also and 2 years ago went through RCIA and am a very proud Catholic. And another thing I think is interesting, we got a new preist about a year ago and he use to be Assemblies of God. I didn't want to turn this thread a different way, just wanted to let you know.

[DonnaLynn]

Lucy,

I am pleased to know I am not alone in this. I truly believe that God really is in control and if we listen He answers us. Even when we are not actually asking questions.


I am sure we have alot of stories we could share.

pm anytime..

Be Blessed,

Donna

[Blue Irish Eyes]

This is a terrific question that I have not seen addressed in regard to adoption.

I am an adoptee. My mom and dad were Catholic (mom had converted from the Lutheran faith well before we kiddies came along). I came from St. Anthony's Home for Infants in Kansas City MO which was run ( the orphanage is no longer there) by the Catholic Charities.

I never gave it a thought as to what religious denomination the bmoms were and until recently I had no idea what my birthparents were. Recently I got some non id info and as it turns out both my bparents were Catholic. I don't know what the requirements were then or now in regard to children being place via Catholic Charities as compared to other agencies.

Nevertheless, as a Catholic, when someone asks the question who is a Christian i would think the answer would be anyone who believes in the teaching of Christ and has accepted Him.
So I would think questions need to be asked of the various agencies or personnel handling private adoptions as to what the intension is.

[Support2Adopt]

The term "Christian" can mean many different things to many different people. There are so many different Christian religions and Christian churches and their beliefs can vary widely. If you would like to privately correspond on this issue, please email me at Support2Adopt@aol.com JJ

[hopefulmom]

I am so glad that someone brought up the topic of religion. We are just starting the adoption process...gathering info.. and plan to start formally applying next year. I've wondered about the issue of religion and how we would respond to questions about it. I was raised Catholic but have some issues with the Catholic church, though I believe in the overall dogma. When we got married, it was important to me to have a church wedding but it didn't necessarily have to be a Catholic church. My husband wasn't brought up with any type of religion. We found a church that we were both comfortable with which turned out to be a Lutheran church. We're members of this church now. I never was a regular church-goer. When we were kids, we went to church almost every week and went to Sunday School or CCD but that stopped after 7th grade. My parens are divorced and were "thrown out" of the Catholic church. My mom and I still went to church together for a while but have never felt that you have to go to church to be a good person..it's about how you live your life. But I feel very strongly about raising our children with some form of religion...something that both my husband and I are comfortable with. I want them to have a religious background. I'm an occasional church-goer. It brings me comfort and I am becoming more spiritual as I get older (though there is a difference between religion and spirituality..but let's not go there right now). My husband has been to church with me a couple times and I go every once in a while by myself. He has no problem with me going and often encourages me to go. But he is agnostic. I might classify myself along those lines, though I am becoming stronger in my faith. He wants to raise the kids with a moral education but not necessarily a religious one. I know that I will be the one to take the kids to church and Sunday School etc. All I ask is that he not contradict the teachings. When the kids are older, we can have discussions, comparative religion discussions, etc. but it would be too confusing when they are young.

In the most difficult times of my life, it has been faith that has gotten me through. I also firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. We may not understand that reason but God has a plan for us. Since my husband and I have decided on adoption, I have met several people whose lives are touched by adoption. ONe person at my work is in the process of looking for a birthmother now and another friend adopted her youngest child. I believe that God put these people in my life for a reason. The more I talk to them the more I feel that adoption is the right path for us.

Anyway, I just have no idea how I will answer the religion question when it comes up. We are avoiding identified faith-based agencies for now. I did check with Catholic Social Services since I have received counseling from them in the past and my counselor helped set up their adoption program. We are choosing not to go through them only because they only place about 3 infants per year. Plus we live in a small town and placements would be from birthfamilies within our town. That's a little too close for comfort for us.

Anyone else struggling with how to answer the religion question?

[SMUpony]

"Christian" was the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. (First used at Antioch - Acts 11:26) As in, "Oh, they are just trying to be like Jesus." -- I think it is very important that potential parents be very truthful about their beliefs. Just tell the agency what you told us. "We are not active in our church. My husband is agnostic." -- A born-again birthparent who is giving a child up for adoption should, in my humble opinion, pray for that child; asking God to see to it that when s/he reaches the age of accountability someone is there to explain salvation to her/him. It's in God's hands anyway! Hope this helps. I was adopted and I know someone was praying for me!

[joannemckay76]

It's any religon that is of the belief that Jesus is the son of God,Baptist,Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Greek Orthodox etc...thats about the extent of a Christian.Lets not over analyze a simple question.