Family planning.

[abcgrad94]

So, I guess those who can't have children and adopt are also going against God's plan. After all, who are they to circumvent God's timing for children.

Right? You can't have it both ways. You can't say it's wrong to space or plan children by using birth control but then turn around and say it's okay for childless couples to adopt children when God didn't will them to physically have them.

 

[Oldtimer]

Have you forgotten that the scriptures teach we are to take care of widows and orphans? Bringing a parentless (abandoned for whatever reason) child into a nurturing home fulfills scripture.

BTW, childless couples has little, if anything, to do with fruitful parents "scheduling" their children. People who have not been blessed with the ability to bring forth life do not have anything to "schedule" within their union.

And to make sure there's absolutely no misunderstanding.....

We were not blessed with children. We brought into our home a disabled person after both parents passed away. Our responsibility did not end after 18 years or so. Began 32 years ago and will continue until the Lord (not us) decides otherwise.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Have you forgotten that the scriptures teach we are to take care of widows and orphans? Bringing a parentless (abandoned for whatever reason) child into a nurturing home fulfills scripture.

I agree, but watch out Oldtimer, they will start calling you a liberal when you quote such scripture.

We were not blessed with children. We brought into our home a disabled person after both parents passed away. Our responsibility did not end after 18 years or so. Began 32 years ago and will continue until the Lord (not us) decides otherwise.

We also were not blessed with children, but had a number of children live with us. They were a great blessing and we are still in touch with several of them ... and they are middle-aged now. One took us out for Fathers Day.

 

[InTheLight]

By "scheduling" births parents are saying each month, we don't want what God has planned for us, in the event that conception would occur. We don't want this unique person to have existance.

Is not God powerful enough to overcome any person's planning? Isn't a couple deciding not to try to get pregnant any particular month an exercise of free will which may be totally overturned by God? In other words, if God wanted a child to be born on a particular day He could make it happen despite any birth control planning on the parts of humans.

 

[Oldtimer]

Is not God powerful enough to overcome any person's planning? Isn't a couple deciding not to try to get pregnant any particular month an exercise of free will which may be totally overturned by God? In other words, if God wanted a child to be born on a particular day He could make it happen despite any birth control planning on the parts of humans.

Scripture is filled with examples of God exerting His will over decisions (planning) made by people. Ranges from individuals who ultimately did His will even though they sought to avoid it, to stopping the construction of a tower to heaven.

Yes, a couple can exercise their free will and God can overturn it.

And...

Yes, a couple can exercise their free will and God can wait until Judgement Day.



Oh...

Don't forget, generally, human birth control methods aren't 100% effective. There's usually some degree of failure rate assocated with them, however small it may be. Are those failures the result of God overturning a couples free will during any particular month?

Same premise with couples using artificial methods to have a baby. Some are effective, other attempts aren't. We have no way of knowing how many of those failures are the result of God overturning a couple's "planning".

 

[Jerome]

Yes, a couple can exercise their free will and God can overturn it.

And...

Yes, a couple can exercise their free will and God can wait until Judgement Day.

Or as the early 1900s politician I paraphrased earlier said:

---Humans think they are wise and humane when they try to limit procreation. They are delighted thinking they have thwarted the Divine Will by restricting their number of offpring. Man may exult in defying the eternal laws of procreation, but judgment will follow sooner or later---

Is there any public figure—or pastor—today who would dare take such a stand?

 

[Scarlett O.]

Or as the early 1900s politician I paraphrased earlier said:

---Humans think they are wise and humane when they try to limit procreation. They are delighted thinking they have thwarted the Divine Will by restricting their number of offpring. Man may exult in defying the eternal laws of procreation, but judgment will follow sooner or later---

Is there any public figure—or pastor—today who would dare take such a stand?

Do you really believe that Christian couples who have decided that they can and should bear no more children are actually taking "delight" in putting a stop to the "Divine Will" of God?

I've never known a married couple who managed their family planning to have that mindset.