One Christian, U.K. couple was blocked from adopting their two foster children after expressing concerns about them being raised by a gay couple. The couple, who have not been named, have cared for the young children this entire year. When they were told a gay couple had requested to adopt them, the foster pair admitted they "expressed a degree of shock and asked if this was a 'joke'."

The foster pair, who has biological children, were said by their social worker to find the situation "very challenging," and two days later, they formally applied to adopt the youngsters themselves, reported The Telegraph. However, adoption council members turned down the foster parents, saying their views about gay parenting were "concerning" and "could be detrimental to the long-term needs of the children." In their notes about a conversation with the social worker, the foster father had said it would be hard to explain the possibility of having gay parents to one of the children, who was "waiting for a new mummy."

The couple claimed they had expressed interest in adopting the children several times before, but had been told by their social worker their house was too small. The social worker reportedly now said a move to a new family could put the children under "emotional stress."

The couple is appealing the decision to block the adoptions.

The couple said they had "not expressed homophobic views, unless Christian beliefs are, by definition, homophobic," adding: "We are Christians and we expressed the view that a child needs a mother and a father. We expressed our views in modest, temperate terms based on our Christian convictions.

"We love everyone (regardless of sexual orientation) and we love the children and believe that they would benefit from the foundation offered by a mother and a father."

The couple said the decision appears discriminatory to them, and not related to the children's needs. "The children love us:  We love them. All the reports show that we are a loving, caring and stable family. What more could a child need?" 

The foster parents reportedly previously received good reviews and had been praised for their "lovely care and warmth" toward the children and for having a strong support network, including their church.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting their appeal, said: "This couple's viewpoint is lawful and mainstream."

Christian Legal Centre is a legal organization that was set up in December 2007 to provide legal support for Christians in the United Kingdom and lobby on their behalf.