Posted on 06/02/2011 6:42:03 PM PDT by Salvation
We have discussed here before the population implosion taking place in most parts of Europe. Approximately 2.1 Children per woman are needed to maintain the population of a given country or ethnic group. In most of Europe, the birthrate hovers well below 2, often as low as 1.3 in some Eastern European countries. In effect these cultures are aborting and contracepting themselves out of existence.
As populations shrink, so do economies and so does the ability to provide basic services, and staff the engine of production. Some countries rely on large numbers of immigrants to fill the gaps. But these immigrants do not often share the faith and culture of the people they are gradually replacing. The result is a dying European culture. We have certainly discussed these matters extensively here before. (e.g. HERE)
Now comes the news from AP- that proposed legislation in Russia would seek to severely curtail abortion to stem the tide of eroding populations. Here is the brief article.
MOSCOW (AP) Russias Orthodox Church teamed with Conservative parliamentarians Monday to push legislation that would radically restrict abortions in a nation struggling to cope with one of the worlds lowest birthrates.
The legislation would ban free abortions at government-run clinics and prohibit the sale of the morning-after pill without a prescription, said Yelena Mizulina, who heads a parliamentary committee on families, women and children.
She added that abortion for a married woman would also require the permission of her spouse, while teenage girls would need their parents consent. If the legislation is passed, a weeks waiting period would also be introduced so women could consider their decision to terminate their pregnancy, Mizulina said.
Mirabile visu, mirabale auditu! (Wondrous to see! Wondrous to hear!)
Clearly, more will be necessary to stem the tide than this, but it is a recognition of the fact that abortion (and I would add, contraception) have devastated Western Cultures (including Eastern Europe). Any culture that either celebrates them or is too permissive of them will ultimately suffer from a kind of implosion.
For, it would seem that many today consider children too much trouble, too expensive, or too impacting our their lifestyle. Many prefer expensive and large homes, along with many expensive creature comforts. They prefer these to children. When this becomes a cultural trend, that culture is doomed.
Some will argue that the cost of living is too high today to have more than one or two children. While economic questions have a considerable complexity, it must also be admitted that we have chosen rather elaborate and expensive lifestyles. There are many things that we could and would do without, if we valued children more.
Now, faced with serious threats to their on-going viability as a country and a culture, the Russians are considering how to limit abortion, which has been legal there since the 1920s!
Lets pray that other countries will wake up, including our own to the fact that we cannot go on killing our children, or preventing their existence and expect to thrive. France has begun to turn things around, its birth rate is edging back up toward 2.0. Perhaps other countries will also turn back the tide on abortion and contraception, and come to see that if we do not love life, we tend to die.
Chart above from Economist.com
Video Report of the same story at the site
http://blog.adw.org/
Catholic Discussion Ping!
I have thought that several European countries would be forced to restrict abortions and birth control in order to survive as a culture.
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They are doing the right thing but for all the wrong reasons.
Abortion should be stopped because it is PREMEDITATED MURDER, not just as a means to an end to overcome low birth rates.
It may be happening. Miracles upon miracles?
The sad thing is that Obama and all the people at Planned Parenthood KNOW that it is pre-meditated murder!
Pray for an end to abortion.
They know and they could care less. Just like they know that euthanasia of the old or infirm and embryonic stem cell research is premeditated murder too. And they don’t care about those either.
One day they will all learn just how wrong they were and by then it will be way too late for them. Eternity is a VERY LONG TIME.
We should make it easier for them to adopt US babies.
I’m chuckling at your comment. My son and daughter in law were going to adopt a Russian Down Syndrome baby since they already have a Down Syndrome son.
It was so expensive.
Perfect choice, perfect discussion for the boards, PING!
I read recently that Hungary outlawed abortion or at least the proposal is there in a new constitution.
Good for Russia, US and Europe are dying white populations while others races multiply at fast rate
I can understand why Black Leaders allow so many abortions.
We can give them some of our excess population... give them the socialists. They would fit in fine.
I wasn’t aware of Hungary turning like this. Hmmmm, is a pattern developing?
Good idea, but it’s sounding like the socialists would not be welcome in a no abortion atmosphere.
I don’t like that they are doing it for this reason.
Too utilitarian.
If they had too many people would they change back?
Thi is jerking women around to suit political/demographic purposes ... should be illegal because it’s WRONG.
This bent doesn’t do the pro-LIFE cause any good at all and shouldn’t be celebrated.
Nasty, disgraceful business.
And God blessed them and said, “Be fertile and multiply.”
I suggest that every married couple who can should observe “National GLBTQ Pride Month” in June by doing what GLBTQs can’t do: making a baby, the natural way.
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