Brit PM says Christians shouldn't be allowed to adopt or foster children if they don't accept homosexuality.
Ruling was right on Christian couple banned from fostering because of beliefs on homosexuality, says PM
By Jason Groves and Claire Ellicott
Last updated at 8:54 AM on 9th March 2011
David Cameron has stepped into the row over the Christian couple who have been barred from fostering children because of their belief that homosexuality is wrong.
He appeared to back the courts by saying Owen and Eunice Johns had been dealt with in an ‘appropriate way’, and added that Christians must be ‘tolerant and welcoming’ towards homosexuality.
His comments came days after Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith also publicly backed the ruling in the Johns case.
Reaction: Eunice Johns, pictured with husband Owen, said Mr Cameron's comments were 'very surprising and disappointing'
Last night they provoked a backlash from Christian groups who feel their beliefs are being trampled on by Government equality laws.
Former Tory Home Office minister Ann Widdecombe said: ‘It is high time the Government was “tolerant and welcoming and broad-minded” towards Christians.
‘There is no balance at all now – Christian rights have been all but wiped out. The Prime Minister’s comments are extremely disappointing and ill-advised.’
Mrs Johns, a mother of four who has successfully fostered 15 children, said: ‘It is very surprising and disappointing Mr Cameron takes this view.
Tolerance: David Cameron said Christians must be 'tolerant and welcoming' towards homosexuality
‘He said he was a Christian, but after what he’s said today, I don’t know. Our right to express our views as Christians has been eroded as the rights of homosexuals are deemed more important.’
Mrs Johns, a 62-year-old retired nurse, and her 65-year-old husband had applied to Derby County Council to restart fostering after a break.
But social workers raised concerns that their views on homosexuality would conflict with equality laws. Earlier this month that view was upheld by the High Court.
The couple believe homosexuality is ‘against God’s law and morals’, but insist they are not homophobic and would ‘accept and love’ any child.
Asked about the case during a visit to Derby, Mr Cameron said: ‘This matter was decided by a court in the appropriate way and I think we should rest with the judgment that was made.’
Pressed on whether he thought Christian views were incompatible with an acceptance of homosexuality, he added: ‘Christians should be tolerant and welcoming and broad-minded.’
Government sources insisted that the Prime Minister was ‘not taking sides’ in the debate about whether gay rights should take precedence over Christian beliefs.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which backed the Johns’s case, said Mr Cameron appeared no to have understood the facts.
‘His comments are extraordinary. The Johns would never have refused to provide a loving home to any child,’ she added.
‘He seems to be saying that to play any role in public life Christians have to abandon the teachings of the Bible. Anyone who does not conform is branded as somehow phobic. It is fundamentally illiberal.’
Stephen Green, of the group Christian Voice, said there was a danger the judgement in the Johns’s case would be used to ban all Christians from any role in fostering or adopting children.
In January, Christian B&B owners Peter and Hazelmary Bull were ordered to pay damages to a gay couple to whom they had refused to let a room.
Last month it emerged that ministers are planning to allow gay marriages to take place in religious buildings, including churches.
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