Christian's choice to be childfree

[lulu]

I decided to post this in the Fencesitters Forum as I know that there are many couples out there who feel such pressure from society to have children, sometimes the worst of it coming from fellow church members. I know at one point I was this way but am thankful that aside from a few "when are you going to start having babies?" questions, the people in my church are supportive and accepting of who I am, as I am.

I recently ran across this article on the Intervarsity.org website regarding a Christian's choice to be childfree. I enjoyed how each perspective in the interviews contained in the article is varied, but come back to the same answer - there is a place in God's family for all sorts of people in all stages and walks of life, including those who are childless. (I also found it interesting that some people are critical of people who choose not to have children but don't seem to have any problem limiting the size of their own family. A smile came to my face - we are limiting the size of our family to two - me and my husband!)

I pray that if you are feeling the conflicting feelings as a Christian couple who don't want children but are getting pressure, that this article will give you some food for thought.

www.intervarsity.org/gfm/well/resource/children-choice

[cnu5000]

I am Jewish and the Jewish religion can put pressure on people to have children; you are taught children are a blessing and having Jewish children is a way the religion survives.

[preraph]

Thanks for the article. I believe most religions believe in procreation and strongly advance it and am grateful for any that are less punitive about it if you decide not to. People interpret that place in the Bible, "Go forth and multiply" (I'm probably paraphrasing) as breeding, but it's meant to mean spread the word.

[cnu5000]

Some people might add at the time the world had only two people and now the world some people feel is overpopulated.

[preraph]

Indeed.