Religious Views on Adoption
What You Need to Know When Considering Adoption
If you are considering placing your baby for adoption, you may be hesitant based on your religious beliefs. While each religion has its own views, most traditions support adoption.
Choosing adoption for your baby is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, but it may also be one of the most exciting. Whether you are:
- Considering giving your child up for adoption in Islam
- Wondering if it is a sin to put a child up for adoption as a Christian
- Looking for the Roman Catholic views on giving children up for adoption
- Or anything else related to religion and adoption
Understanding religious views on adoption can give you peace of mind and confidence when deciding if adoption is best for you and your baby. This guide provides the information you may need as you research how your belief’s view placing a child for adoption.
Anytime you have questions about religion and adoption, the process, or anything else related, fill out this online form to learn more from an adoption specialist.
For now, continue reading for more information about different religious views on adoption.
Religious Views on Placing a Baby for Adoption
When you are considering placing your child for adoption, there are many different factors to consider before making the selfless and life-changing decision to do so. Religious beliefs play a large role for many birth mothers weighing their options.
Keep in mind there are many adoptive families whose religion plays a large role in their lifestyle as well. As the birth mother, when you choose adoption for your baby, you have the ability to find adoptive couples who share similar beliefs and religious views as you, ensuring your baby will grow up with a religious background and upbringing.
Below, you will find information about many different views from various religions.
Christian Views of Placing a Baby for Adoption
If you are considering adoption for your baby and find yourself asking, “Is it wrong to give my baby up for adoption if I’m a Christian?”
The answer is a resounding no. It is not a sin to place your baby for adoption.
Christian views on placing a baby for adoption are very much positive and supportive of this unplanned pregnancy option. Giving your child up for adoption while Christian is valued for the life-changing and selfless decision that adoption truly is. Keep in mind, when you place a child for adoption, you are:
- Doing what you feel in your heart is best for your baby
- Having the option to stay involved and updated in your child’s life through open adoption
- Providing a family the gift of parenthood which may not be able to have children of their own
- Ensuring your child grows up in a loving and supportive home
- So much more
Throughout all of the above mentioned, you are placing your child for adoption out of the love and care you have for your child – you want what is best for them. There is nothing sinful about your decision — it represents the basis of Christianity. Below, you will find several adoption agencies that understand and support your Christian beliefs:
If you are second-guessing your decision to place your child for adoption due to your Christian beliefs, speaking to religious leaders or adoption professionals may be helpful. They will be more than happy to provide you with more information about how Christian views of adoption are overwhelmingly supportive, provide you with scripture about giving a baby up for adoption, and answer any questions or concerns you may have about giving up your baby for adoption as a Christian.
Catholic Views of Placing a Baby for Adoption
When you are Catholic and want to give your baby up for adoption, it is natural to have questions about the Roman Catholic views on giving children up for adoption. While there are some conflicting articles and views, modern-day Catholicism is supportive of the life-changing gift adoption provides.
Many birth mothers and adoptive families view adoption as a gift from God.
An important doctrine in the Catholic religion is based on procreation and natural childbirth. While the focus is for women to give birth and raise children, there is an understanding that sterility is not a sin and that infertility should be addressed by uniting with the Lord’s Cross.
Placing your baby for adoption allows for the ultimate exchanged gift. You are providing the opportunity for an adoptive family to raise a child as their own when they are unable to do so themselves.
As the birth mother, you can find families that share similar beliefs and Catholic practices and can express your wishes of your child being raised in the Catholic church.
Below, you will find adoption agencies that can help you find families that align with your religion and personal beliefs.
Islam Views of Placing a Baby for Adoption
If you are a Muslim woman putting a baby up for adoption, know that Islam guidelines do allow for adoption. While some traditional interpretations of Islamic doctrine have strict rules about adoption, more modern ways of practicing the faith allow a woman to do what she feels will be best for herself and her baby.
Because of this, most women giving a child up for adoption in Islam follow modern-day practices. These beliefs differ from early Western practice but still follow the core values of Islam faith, such as:
- The belief in one God (Allah) who alone should be worshipped and served.
- The belief that the Quran is Allah’s final revelation to the Prophet Muhammad
- The belief that the day of judgment will come, and everyone will be either rewarded or punished based on their deeds.
- The belief that Allah has a plan, and everything that happens is according to His will.
- The belief in the five pillars of Islam — the Declaration of Faith, daily prayer, Zakah, the fast of Ramadan, and the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca
While adoption is supported by modern beliefs, there are some differences in the adoption process.
- In Islam, a child’s biological relatives will usually be first in line to take over parental duties if the biological parents cannot
- The adoptive family does not take the place of they biological family, they are simply caretaker
- Even if the child is adopted at birth, they will not take the adoptive family’s last name
- Adoptees will still have the inheritance rights to his or her biological parents, with adoptive having the option to write their adopted child into their own estate
- Other changes depending upon your specific situation
We understand your beliefs are important to you. Many Muslim women feel spiritually driven to adoption. We encourage you to speak with religious leaders and adoption professionals if you are considering giving your child up for adoption in Islam.
If you hope to find an adoptive family that shares similar religious views, you may consider the services of any of the following adoption agencies. Specialists will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and guide you to any additional resources you may need.
Judaism Views of Placing a Baby for Adoption
If you are questioning if giving a baby up for adoption is a mitzvah, there are many Orthodox Rabis who support adoption as a “great Mitzvah.” Although you can find varying answers and interpretations, one consistent thing is that adoption is very much honored and supported in Jewish tradition.
Judaism emphasizes putting a child’s needs first and foremost. When you choose adoption for your baby, you are doing so out of your love for them – you want to provide them with the best life possible. You are practicing Judaism at the highest value. You are selflessly putting your child first and providing them a lifetime of love and support.
When you choose adoption, you are choosing what is ultimately best for your baby. If you are uncertain adoption is the best path for you and your baby, we encourage seeking advice from a rabbi, a trusted member of your religious community, or an adoption specialist. They will provide helpful insight and unbiased opinions on your specific situation.
For Jewish birth mothers choosing adoption, it is important to know that adoption agencies can help you find adoptive parents who share similar beliefs and want to raise your baby following the values of Judaism. Consider any of the following agencies to learn more about finding the best adoptive families and for more information about how they will make your spiritual practices a top priority.
Contact a Professional
If religion is a factor in whether or not you want to place your child for adoption, having the best information is crucial before making any decisions. Fill out this online form to learn more about the religious views on adoption, and to get resources, you may need to feel more confident and comfortable choosing this life-changing path.