Populating the earth

[wagsbags]

Since God commanded humans to "populate the earth" shouldn't we do whatever is possible to achieve this? Christians use this to justify birth control being immoral and masturbation being immoral (Catholics at least). But if we are to adhere to the maxim that the purpose of sex is procreation shouldn't we only have sex if we can procreate? Once a woman becomes pregnant should she refrain from sex? Should Christians donate sperm to maximize the number of children born? Should Christian girls get "knocked up" at as young of an age as possible so they can have as many children as possible?

What is your opinion and what is the official opinion of the church?

 

[ChristianDude777]

My opinion is that the earth is pretty well populated.

Tim L.

 

[James T]

A little more contraception would be a good thing.

 

[AdJesumPerMariam]

Since God commanded humans to "populate the earth" shouldn't we do whatever is possible to achieve this? Christians use this to justify birth control being immoral and masturbation being immoral (Catholics at least). But if we are to adhere to the maxim that the purpose of sex is procreation shouldn't we only have sex if we can procreate? Once a woman becomes pregnant should she refrain from sex? Should Christians donate sperm to maximize the number of children born? Should Christian girls get "knocked up" at as young of an age as possible so they can have as many children as possible?

What is your opinion and what is the official opinion of the church?

I don't think thats what God meant. If you look at the other commandments, you are not to have sex outside of marriage, and only with your spouse.

 

[ChristianDude777]

I don't think thats what God meant. If you look at the other commandments, you are not to have sex outside of marriage, and only with your spouse.

I agree. Paul said the marriage bed remains undefiled...

Tim L.

 

[sillybastich]

I believe this to be yet another antiquated topic on which the bible lacked any foresight. To propagate and populate was important when christianity's mandate was to spread and smother the heathen horde.
In addition, when one out of three children actually survivied until adulthood, your job was to pump out as many as you could. This was a societal mainstay, further bolstered by biblical writings/teachings.

 

[ChristianDude777]

I believe this to be yet another antiquated topic on which the bible lacked any foresight.

The world wasn't going to populate itself....

Tim L.

 

[sillybastich]

It wasn't? How do you suppose one could stop the human animal from procreation... or more specifically the act that makes it all happen?

 

[ChristianDude777]

It wasn't? How do you suppose one could stop the human animal from procreation... or more specifically the act that makes it all happen?

I'm not sure I understand your question.

Tim L.

 

[sillybastich]

The bottom line is... of course the world was going to populate itself! You can't stop humans from having sex, and you don't need anyone to remind them to get it done. Invariably, this results in some offspring that survive to continue the cycle.

The fact that any religious organization pretends it can positively effect the ebb and flow of world population is naive - their advice is childish and, at times, dangerous.

 

[ChristianDude777]

The bottom line is... of course the world was going to populate itself! You can't stop humans from having sex, and you don't need anyone to remind them to get it done. Invariably, this results in some offspring that survive to continue the cycle.

The fact that any religious organization pretends it can positively effect the ebb and flow of world population is naive - their advice is childish and, at times, dangerous.

I see. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I didn't get what you were saying at first.

Tim L.

 

[lawtonfogle]

i think what God was saying was to spread and populate the earth. I am in no way saying I know the mind of God, it just seems logical due to the tower of babal.

 

[LillSnopp]

i think what God was saying was to spread and populate the earth. I am in no way saying I know the mind of God, it just seems logical due to the tower of babal.

And now the question that this is rooted in, should we continue? Earth is now overpopulated instead... So, whats the beef now ?

 

[lawtonfogle]

try to have fewer kids.

 

[Soul Searcher]

If the intention truly was to populate the earth then it would make sense for a man to have at least 9 wives so he could devote 1 month to each and hopefully have a child every month for 20 30 years. even with a 1/3 survival rate would be able to have 80-120 children that survive.

 

[wagsbags]

If the intention truly was to populate the earth then it would make sense for a man to have at least 9 wives so he could devote 1 month to each and hopefully have a child every month for 20 30 years. even with a 1/3 survival rate would be able to have 80-120 children that survive.

Wow looks like not very many Christians are pulling their weight

 

[John812]

Many people want to have many, many children. The problem often times is that they may not be able to afford a large brood of children, in terms of sheltering them, clothing them, providing for their health care etc...

If I had the financial means to support a large family (be it 5, 10, or 80-120, or more) then I think that would be my right. Now, I have no intention of doing this, at this point in time . I think in most circumstances having one wife is optimal, but neither am I against people who have multiple wives (although, I will study what the bible has to say on the one wife/multiple wives issue some more, because I'm not quite sure on this). This ofcourse is just my theology. I think under law in Canada it is illegal to have more than 1 wife, so unless I move I don't think I will be having 80+ kids. Also, even if I marry and will want 15 kids with my wife, she may not be so willing, and I would certainly respect her decisions, as I would expect her to respect my decisions on the matter. She may only want 3 kids, so we would have to compromise . 9 kids would be a fair compromise, that is in between 3 and 15, in theory . I suppose I could settle on 9


God Bless!

 

[Hadron]

I believe this to be yet another antiquated topic on which the bible lacked any foresight. To propagate and populate was important when christianity's mandate was to spread and smother the heathen horde.

I don't see how that is when the command was given to Adam and Eve and there were no others on the earth...

 

[Hadron]

Wow looks like not very many Christians are pulling their weight

I think we are at a point where man has populated most of the earth and subdued it. It is simple math to say that in order for the population to be maintained, every marriage must create 2 children. In a lot of places, we find that we are below that average. And in some places, there is a boon.
I believe also that the earth can sustain many more people than the great academecians have declared possible... just my two cents.

 

[LillSnopp]

I believe also that the earth can sustain many more people than the great academecians have declared possible... just my two cents.

I love being accused for being a " great academecians" (in a negative form for some reason). I will help you out here, We are not talking about SPACE penumbra, you do realize this, yes ?


PS: What do you base your opinion that we can sustain more? As i assume you read into the matter and seen something we, have not... ?