Pope says not having children is selfish

[NadiaWadia]

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.

Well, I guess that makes the Pope selfish then doesn't it?

FFS - who takes advice on sex and children from a celibate man in a frock?

FFS - who takes advice on sex and children from a celibate man in a frock?

Unfortunately, there must be tens or hundreds of thousands (*) in the UK and millions worldwide, of all faiths, taking advice on pretty much all matters, from (mostly) men because they have some faith that the word comes from whichever deity they follow.

(*) I won't waste time trying to get the figures right - some people are "seasonally religious" (ie they go, when their faith demands it, but most of the time don't appear to care too much, and the census figures on it are suspect, too, I feel, because some may answer what they think they should answer, rather than try to justify not being religious, if that is the case).

So all nuns, monks and Catholic priests are selfish?

I've always thought this is a very odd belief - that not having children is selfish. Surely most people who do have children do it for purely selfish reasons? For their own fulfillment or to give a child a sibling, at best, or at worst to save a bad relationship, fill a void in their lives, provide someone to look after them when they're old...

I think it goes back to the belief that child-bearing is the ultimate purpose and destiny of women. How dare they want to do something else?

No such thing as a Cool Pope. They're all dicks.

My dad is an ex-Catholic. That church has a lot to answer for when it comes to the plummeting demographics of the Western world (think WW2, abuse scandals etc). And that's all I have to say on the matter.

Ironic that a man who's chosen to be celibate and has therefore made a choice not to have children, is calling other people who choose not to have children selfish.

I disagree that couples choosing not to have children are selfish. There's plenty of other ways to make a positive difference to the world other than having children (and also, if a couple really doesn't want a child, for whatever reason, having a child wouldn't necessarily be a "gift"). I also agree that choosing to have children is a selfish choice. DH and I chose to ttc because we wanted children. Not for any other reason. Pure selfishness on our part.

Surely over-population is one of the biggest threats to the planet?

Agreed, angelos02

I'm assuming you had your tongue firmly in your cheek, ShadowSpiral when you wrote about pure selfishness on your (joint) part.

While I am not certain of agreeing everyone has a "right" to have children (as in Human Rights claims!), I am sure those who have problems and go down the IVF route have done so because nature intends that we have offspring, and it's purely instinct to go down that path, so if that's the only option, they will make that attempt as best they can (and good luck to them - they obviously wish very strongly to try).

It's clearly not 'essential' for everyone (I'm single and have never had any wish for children) but I know the urge is massive for the majority of women, and bringing a new child into the world is life-changing and hopefully joyous for both partners (usually, unless the child is abandoned by one of them). Not sure men express the same wish to the same extent, but clearly there for many, too.

I think calling any part of this selfish is a recipe for disaster - there should be no obligation to have, or not have, children. It's clearly the choice of the couple and no-one, religious or not, should think they have a right to criticise or lay down rules for that couple to follow.

Certainly if someone started telling me how much I am missing for not being a parent, I'd give them pretty short shrift, and explain how they can take a long walk off a short plank. Or even, since they are so keen, to go forth and procreate, 'cos they have no business telling me how to run my life :)

My final two-penneths.