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Original poster

Pope says not having children is selfish

36 replies

NadiaWadia · 13/02/2015 02:33

www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/11/pope-francis-the-choice-to-not-have-children-is-selfish?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2

His third stupid statement within a few weeks. (Last one was about hitting children but 'maintaining their dignity' previous to that it was re: Charlie Hebdo, about how it was alright to hit someone who insulted your mother).

I started off quite liking this Pope and thinking he was a big improvement on the last one, even though I don't have much time for the Catholic church. But my goodness, the silly old fool, he has reverted to type. Unless dementia is kicking in - these recent statements seem so badly misjudged.

OP posts:
YNK · 13/02/2015 02:53

Yeah he has been a dick lately!

Glastokitty · 13/02/2015 03:54

How many kids does he have then?

tobysmum77 · 13/02/2015 08:40

what utter nonsense. The world is rather underpopulated don't you think?

30somethingm · 13/02/2015 09:33

Can't believe the pope. What an idiot!

30somethingm · 13/02/2015 09:34

It is presumptuous to assume ones kids will be around in ones old age. Also, that's a selfish reason to have kids pope!

meglet · 13/02/2015 09:35

he started off well.

Ladymoods · 13/02/2015 09:36

Yes, I'm sure many members of the Catholic church are very keen to have more children around....

CogitoErgoSometimes · 13/02/2015 09:36

There is an argument that, whether you choose to have or not have children, it's generally a selfish decision. Don't think anyone chooses either way for altruistic reasons

Behooven · 13/02/2015 09:39

Oh dear, he's really showing his true colours in the last few weeks. After such a promising start too.

expatinscotland · 13/02/2015 09:41

What a stupid thing to say.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 13/02/2015 09:41

The Pope and Catholic church should shut up about family matters/having children. The world is not the "cosy" families all pulling together/living near each other/mother at the kitchen sink world he seems to think exists...... Children are a gift yes, but not a gift everyone needs to feel compelled to choose.

And children are not to be had to look after you in your old age - at least not in the modern western world.

Heels99 · 13/02/2015 09:44

Pope spouts continuous damaging nonsense.

AuntieStella · 13/02/2015 09:47

He has also said recently that Catholics don't have to breed like rabbits

NutellaLawson · 13/02/2015 09:50

Odd thing to say from a religion that won't allow its priesthood a family. Perhaps it is precisely because he, as Pope, can't have his own children that he idealises having children or fails to understand its realities.

cailindana · 13/02/2015 09:57

Trying to understand anything the Catholic Church says is like trying to understand the ravings of a lunatic who's lived in a gilded box for 50 years.
There is no logic to it, it's not based on any reality, and yet it's said with such conviction that it's hard not to think there's something in it.

There isn't. It's just ravings - angry, bitter ravings at that.

It says a lot about the human condition that the Pope still exists. We clearly have a need for that blind gravitas, that mad certainty.

muminhants · 13/02/2015 11:41

The Pope needs to shut up. As a man he has no right to have opinions on the subject at all.

And I suppose he has heard of infertility? What's his take on God's reason for that I wonder?

Why do people venerate this idiot?

NutellaLawson · 13/02/2015 13:37

The Pope needs to shut up. As a man he has no right to have opinions on the subject at all.

Bloody hell, how sexist is that? since it is so many men who tell their partners that they don't want children (as happened to me, and my sister and my best friend) I think choosing childlessness is a men's issue. Especially when it affects women who do want children.

I'm not Catholic (not even nearly) but I don't think being male makes this off-limits a topic.

30somethingm · 13/02/2015 14:24

Being childfree or not is a decision for BOTH men and women!

30somethingm · 13/02/2015 14:26

Some men want children when their partners don't. Some women want children when their partners don't. Some couples both want children, some couples don't want children.

Inkanta · 13/02/2015 15:10

Well what a very nice man. Thanks for that advice Pope Hmm

DoubletheRage · 13/02/2015 15:26

I agree OP, I thought I was going to like this one but it's all gone a bit wrong recently, not that I'm Catholic.

Should the Pope get on and have a dozen DC then?

NetworkGuy · 13/02/2015 15:44

As a man he has no right to have opinions on the subject at all.

Really? It may be a daft thing to say, but saying that men are not allowed a view is an incredible suggestion, in my opinion, and not a view I accept.

professornangnang · 13/02/2015 21:33

All religion is gubbins. Just because some religions allow their vicars to have families doesn't mean that that they're not equally a load of gubbins :(

Maidmarigold · 13/02/2015 21:36

I'd love to know where infertility fits in. Isn't the Catholic Church against IVF?

PilchardPrincess · 13/02/2015 21:56

The article says he says people who choose not to have children are selfish so sounds like he's not including infertile people.

His comments are ridiculous obviously.

Especially given the track record the RC church has in it's dealings with children around the world and over the years.

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