Childlessness A Sin, Southern Baptist Leader Says

KWTX ^ | 1-17-06

[WKB]

Rev. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, says it's "an absolute revolt against God's design" if husbands and wives purposely avoid bearing children.

On his Web site and other articles and interviews, Mohler argues that "marriage, sex and children are part of one package" and that "to deny any part of this wholeness is to reject God's intention in creation and his mandate revealed in the Bible."

In a CNN interview, the Baptist leader added, “We grow up by having children. Without that responsibility, we have a generation of perpetual adolescents just growing old."

[Not A Snowbird]

Well, I tried and tried for a long time, but I was never blessed with children.

How does he reconcile that?

[najida]

I agree that God knows what the future will bring,
However,
like the the parable of the Talents, he gives you abilities and gifts....and often a clue as to what kind of parent you might be.

IMO, if you know that you're lacking, or struggling, or not capable....and have things that need 'fixing' or may never been fixed...ie, he's given you a talent into insight...

Then not having a child is using that gift correctly.

Bringing a child into the mix cuz 'I'm supposed to' well, I've seen kids damaged from that kind of scenario also. Sadly, some of the 'best' person in some ways is often the worst person to raise a child.

Not everyone's purpose on this planet is exactly the same. Some people are meant to be parents, others are not. Those who have the courage to say "I'm not one of them" and not bow to pressure are listening to God also.

[linda_22003]

Apparently it was pointless for you to marry in the first place. ;-D

[se_ohio_young_conservative]

My mom had an alcohol problem for years.

Frankly, I am glad she didnt avoid having me or abort me.

She put her trust in God. Has been sober since 99.. And believe me, life has not been easy.

There is never a perfect time for anything.

[iPod Shuffle]

At least they won't feel the sense of betrayal when they end up in a nursing home when their "loving children" won't take them in.

[Gordongekko909]

I've known entirely too many people who had kids for absolutely horrible reasons to take the decision to become a father lightly. I've known unmarried couples who didn't actually have sex, but fooled around, and the girl would get a "semen sample" after one of their rolls in the hay and impregnate herself. Why? To keep the guy from leaving her.

I've known married couples who, by all logic, should never have gotten married. They began to realize this after a few months of hating each other. A divorce could have solved the problem, and because they didn't have any children, there would be no innocent third parties hurt. So what did they do? They decided to have children in order to keep them together. Predictably enough, they became even more miserable, and their kids are nuts.

I have a cousin who is an absolute baby factory. She married an idiot and had three kids with him. They're divorced now, and she wants to get remarried... to an even bigger idiot. And guess what: she wants more children. She is unable to support those kids on her own. She needs either a guy or someone in our family to support her. And her "market value" as a mate continues to drop with every new kid she pops out.

Of course, I'm only 23 right now. So I guess it makes some sense that I don't want kids. I'm not saying that I won't change my mind later on. But from what I've seen, kids = misery. So until I decide some day to strap a ball and chain to my ankle and maybe even sire some mini-mes, I'm keeping my naughty bits to myself.

[WKB]

Well, I tried and tried for a long time, but I was never blessed with children. How does he reconcile that?




Deuteronomy 29:29The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

[MikefromOhio]

Look around.

I am willing to bet that you can think of several people just in your town that shouldn't have had kids.

God granted humans the ability to think for themselves.

It is between that person or couple and God. Any preacher who says otherwise or just comes up with things, as this preacher did in this case, is flat out wrong.

[najida]

Look,
I became sterile in my late 20's.
Then I married with the hopes of adoption.
Later, I fostered....alone.

THAT is when I really understood that--
a. Children need two loving parents.
b. Children need an mentally together, emotionally strong, stable person caring for them.
c. Children need a consistant life.

I couldn't provide all of that, and I know I never can. So I quit fostering.

End of story.

[Free Baptist]

"I didn't marry til age 44, and my husband has 2 grown kids and a vasectomy. Wonder what the good theologian would say about us?"

There are too many variables here to comment or counsel. A pastor would have to know more about you and your husband.

Some people are not able to procreate. Some who marry at a late age would be wise not to have children, as they would not be able to parent them properly in old age.

In the Scriptures, however, younger widows as well as other women are admonished to marry, bear children, guide the house (1 Timothy 5:14). Not following these principles somehow (see the context) incurs some involvement by Satan, the adversary.

So, take it by principle. What about a man and woman in their twenties who decide that they will marry, develop their careers to get wealthy, decide that children would only be a hindrance to them, and so they decide never to have children. Well, that's their legal prerogative as to this earth. It is a violation of biblical principle, however, and I, for one, would not endorse that mentality with my ministry by performing their wedding.

[muir_redwoods]

"Childlessness A Sin, Southern Baptist Leader Says"

Another preacher I read about advised that "Let he who is without...."

Or, more simply put, Saddap Rev.!!!!

[in hoc signo vinces]

Hard to do with a train full of dudes. What is that a pic of? The audience from a Brokeback Mountain primere.

[RobbyS]

Goes back to the purpose of marriage, doesn't it? I don't know how many times I hav heard long-married couples say that the reason that they got married was that both of them wanted to have kids.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Clearly you and your husband are doomed to burn in Hell for Eternity!

[Gordongekko909]

I'll take that to mean that I shouldn't have children, then.

[linda_22003]

Or I'll be making cookies with my goddaughters' children, just as I did with them. Or (more likely), having cocktails with friends as we watch the sunset over our mountaintop.

My mother-in-law had children, and they won't have anything to do with her. There are no guarantees.

[Pukin Dog]

"Without that responsibility, we have a generation of perpetual adolescents just growing old."

Did someone ask for me?

[kaylar]

In a CNN interview, the Baptist leader added, “We grow up by having children. Without that responsibility, we have a generation of perpetual adolescents just growing old."

What an utter pantload of sanctimonius ***. People become mature and responsible by fulfilling their obligations, paying bills on time, supporting themselves, etc. Actually raising children is certainly A way to mature, but it is not the only-nor does merely giving birth or donating sperm automatically make you mature. Does the "good" reverend actually believe that a selfsupporting, financially stable childfree man or woman is less mature than a drugusing, alcoholic welfare leech who craps out kid after kid by different men, doesn't parent them (unless alternately ignoring at and screaming at constitutes parenting) and expects society to foot the bill? Anyone who doesn't know what I am talking about-go to any Wal Mart or Mall and take a good, long look around you.

Parenting isn't for everyone. It is good that people who lack the patience or empathy or for WHATEVER reason don't wish to take on the responsibility of childraising have the option to opt out-and ask any social worker, probation officer, cop, teacher, etc, if there aren't a helluva lot of people who SHOULD have chosen that option, but didn't!

[Not A Snowbird]

Deuteronomy 29:29The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Meaning that He alone knows why He didn't let me procreate?

[kaylar]

Thank you!