Having Children - Duty or Choice?

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   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 3 years ago

   The Pope has observed that some people seem to prefer to keep a pet rather than take on the responsibility of parenthood. e suggests that having children is a duty. Given the number of deprived children in the world, is he right?

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      CHRIS57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

      In the catholic world of the Pope no such matters like accidents occur. How many children are the result of an accident? So - is it really about duty or choice only?

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         Stephen Tomkinsonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         No, it's not so simple, of course. Would you care to expand a bit?

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            CHRIS57posted 3 years agoin reply to this

            Some time ago i read about street crime rate in major US cities. There was a decline noted in the 70ties and that was first attributed to stricter law and order policies.
            
            A more "complicated" explanation was the upcoming use of contraceptives.
            Crime seemed to be linked to kids raised in precarious conditions by single mothers. If those mothers had the choice to not get babies, then there would be less juvenile delinquents and less crime, a decade or more later.
            
            So much for what an "accident" is and what it can do.
            
            And of course the Pope or any religion has no say in this.

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      lovetherainposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      No way

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         AliciaCposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         I agree. I think the pope’s statement is ridiculous. The Earth’s population is increasing at the moment. In addition, people should never be forced to have children when they have no desire to do this, for their sake and the sake of the children.
         
         If the pope is so concerned about people reproducing, he should have some children himself. I’m not being facetious about this. The rule related to a pope having a wife and a family should change.

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            Readmikenowposted 3 years agoin reply to this

            I agree with you.  Having a child is a serious commitment from anyone's life.  It should never be done out of duty but desire.
            
            You know the Pope not having a wife and family is not from the Bible.

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2. 81

   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 3 years ago

   What about "Go Forth and Multiply"?

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      tsmogposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      Don't forget that Jesus said it is better to be as he is . . . "single". (I Corinthians 7:7) and the unmarried and windows to remain single . . . as he is. (I Corinthians 7:8) 
      
      Does that mean there is a contradiction with go forth and multiply or be fruitful? How can you do that outside of marriage and not be sinful? Just curious . . .

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3. 81

   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 3 years ago

   I'm no Bible scholar but doesn't "Go Forth..." belong to the Old Testament? It wouldn't be the first time that the Old and New showed a discrepancy.

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      tsmogposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      First, let me correct myself it was Paul making those statements, not Jesus. Yet, is still from the Bible being the inherent Word of God. I am no Bible scholar either. Just good at memory stuff and using Google University.
      
      Yeah, it is Genesis mainly saying go forth and multiply, though some other places too. Deciding or determining the outcome of what seems contradictory is for Bible scholars and theologians not me. I made the reply because of such contradictions.
      
      I had to do some reading of the Pope's comment seeing he implied being a parent of natural born or adopted children, yet hinted strongly at the falling birthrate.  I can agree with him on the falling birthrate and don't know what to think about it.

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         Stephen Tomkinsonposted 3 years agoin reply to this

         Assuming that the translation was accurate, he said that if a couple couldn't have children, they should adopt.
         My own view is that we have multiplied way too much. The birthrate is falling in some countries but the population globally continues to increase.

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4. 81

   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 3 years ago

   Yes, it does seem strange that celibate clerics can lecture the rest of us about sexuality.

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5. 81

   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 3 years ago

   Yes, I remember reading about this. In hindsight, I suppose it's common sense. Meanwhile, I found this:
   https://swer.wtamu.edu/sites/default/fi … 4-1-PB.pdf

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6. 81

   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 3 years ago

   No, It's not. The Catholic Church made the decision that priests should be celibate and not marry in 1139. A thousand years after its foundation.

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7. 85

   Nathanvilleposted 3 years ago

   No, he’s not right; it’s a personal choice – and that’s how it should be.

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8. 81

   Stephen Tomkinsonposted 3 years ago

   Hello Nathanville. I would wholeheartedly agree. However, the Pope would claim that he is representing a higher power and that he speaks of divine will. Does the modern world not have space for the sacred?

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      Nathanvilleposted 3 years agoin reply to this

      You’re asking the wrong person, outside of Northern Ireland two thirds of Britain’s are NOT religious, and I myself being an atheist don’t recognise any such ‘higher power’.
      
      Albeit, with Britain having become a secular society within recent decades it’s ironic that Britain is the only country outside of Iran to have clerics in our Government e.g. 26 bishops in the House of Lords; and where the head of state (the Queen) is also the head of the Church (Church of England).
      
      Arthur

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