The choice not to have children...? Forget it...

absolutely, knock-your-socks-off amazing... there is nothing so far-fetched that literal interpreters of the bible won't embrace... never mind the fact that the context is well over 2000 years old, when childbearing was necessary for family survival...

Christians must recognize that this rebellion against parenthood represents nothing less than an absolute revolt against God's design. The Scripture points to barrenness as a great curse and children as a divine gift. The Psalmist declared: "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate." [Psalm 127: 3-5]

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The Scripture does not even envision married couples who choose not to have children. The shocking reality is that some Christians have bought into this lifestyle and claim childlessness as a legitimate option. The rise of modern contraceptives has made this technologically possible. But the fact remains that though childlessness may be made possible by the contraceptive revolution, it remains a form of rebellion against God's design and order

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but wait, there's more...

The church should insist that the biblical formula calls for adulthood to mean marriage and marriage to mean children. This reminds us of our responsibility to raise boys to be husbands and fathers and girls to be wives and mothers. God's glory is seen in this, for the family is a critical arena where the glory of God is either displayed or denied. It is just as simple as that.

let's see... females as breeder mares... gender role stereotyping... laying the groundwork for eventual banning of contraceptives... good to know what's in store for us when the fundies hold absolute power over society...

despite the fact that if i had achieved personal clarity and mental health sooner in my life than i did, i would not have them now, i am grateful every single moment for my three wonderful children and would not change a thing... i am also confident that i have learned more from my children than they have from me... children brought a richness to my life that would have been unattainable otherwise... that said, i completely respect the choice not to have children... there is no biological or theological imperative to bear children and to say otherwise is a serious error and a negation of the wonderful variety of ways to live a truly full and spiritual life...

(thanks to jesus' general for the tip...)

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