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."

[kaylar]

Do you recommend that book? I have it in my cart at one of my book clubs. Is it worth buying in your opinion?

[linda_22003]

"a culture which mandates that its women produce babies"

According to THIS article, that's the Baptists. :)

[WKB]

"Read the Bible, sir."

I do,


Which version?

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

Yeah, I'd generally agree with that.

We've caught flack because we aren't even considering kids yet. We've been married less than a year, and I work full time while Mr. Rubber Duckie is finishing college. Then once he's done with school this spring, he has to find a job and start to establish a career. We're trying to buy our first home soon, and on my income only. Now is just not the time for kids.

That said, we'd like 3 or 4, hoping to start trying sometime next year. Children are a blessing for those who want the challenge of parenthood.

[Gordongekko909]

Yeah, I understand that the modern system of accounting was perfected by an Italian monk. Smart guys, those monks.

[kaylar]

Foreign Affairs cites the $1 million figure-no idea who came up with that or how-but the $1 million includes lost wages. The stat says $200,000 for each kid, PLUS college costs on top of that. That's asssuming that the parent is obligated to pay the kid's way through college-2 years, 4 years, beyond-???? In the United States, the direct cost of raising a middle-class child born this year through age 18, according to the Department of Agriculture, exceeds $200,000 -- not including college. And the cost in forgone wages can easily exceed $1 million, even for families with modest earning power.">

[LongElegantLegs]

Well put!

[kaylar]

Sorry, I don't have the link to the DOA's study. I'd like to know how they came up with that-it does sound a bit steep, but maybe not.

[Rte66]

You do realize, don't you, that all those people who are married with children *think* that all of us who aren't married and don't have children are doing the same things every night that they're doing to *get* children?

In the words of Gershwin, "It ain't necessarily so."

[Fiddlstix]

So we can't be mature without having kids? Seems like a non-sequitor,

My statement on post #17 was: There is a certain amount of truth in that statement.

What part of the words a certain amount of truth don't you understand?
(Go pick on somebody else to start an argument with. I'm busy. I don't have the time for it)

[CWOJackson]

"Which version?"

You really don't get it do you? Just like the decision to have children or not...it's none of your damned business is it?

[WKB]

Uh, your attitude is showing again.

[Coldwater Creek]

I am curious as to why you even read this post?

[Blood of Tyrants]

Noy talking about those, just the ones who CHOOSE not to have childen.

[Coldwater Creek]

No truer words were ever spoken!!!!!!!!!!

[SauronOfMordor]

"a culture which mandates that its women produce babies" According to THIS article, that's the Baptists. :)

The Baptist leadership can strongly encourage, it cannot mandate

In Islamic states, the status of the man is strongly influenced by the number of children he has. And he CAN mandate that his women satisfy his desires for children, or die

[Coldwater Creek]

When you speak God's word, you are speaking for Him.

[CWOJackson]

"Uh, your attitude is showing again."

Good for you, then there may be hope. My attitude is that my salvation is between myself and my God. You and your reverend aren't in the equation anywhere. I agree, that kind of attitude isn't very conducive to the religion business.

[SauronOfMordor]

Foreign Affairs cites the $1 million figure-no idea who came up with that or how-but the $1 million includes lost wages. The stat says $200,000 for each kid, PLUS college costs on top of that.

What you're really saying is that it costs a lot to provide a child with a middle-class life thru to independence. If you're a welfare mom just cranking out the kids and not spending anything on them, then your costs are considerably lower

And we can thereby see why the middle-class has such a low birth rate

[CWOJackson]

"When you speak God's word, you are speaking for Him."

BS! Anyone can speak God's word. Some people even go so far as to interpret it for Him.