tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1734645058271734681.post8213712477728812631..comments2024-03-26T08:42:50.357-07:00Comments on One Baha'i's approach...: AbortionMeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02046847133963919765noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1734645058271734681.post-38137371112880661862016-11-21T15:03:00.121-08:002016-11-21T15:03:00.121-08:00Thank you for this reference, but I am unclear as ...Thank you for this reference, but I am unclear as to which quote you are specifically referring. When I look up the word "intent", I do not see it there in that section in any context like you have given.<br /><br />In addition to that, you use the word "can't", in relation to entering into marriage. As Baha'u'llah has not listed the intent to have children as a condition upon entering into wedlock, I feel we should be careful with that strong of a word. The Universal House of Justice has stated, "A decision to have no children at all would vitiate the primary purpose of marriage unless, of course, there were some medical reason why such a decision would be required." But here we must understand the word "vitiate". While it can be used in the sense of "making legally invalid", that is not its primary definition. The main definition appears to be "to impair the quality of, or weaken the effectiveness of". If children are the "primary purpose", we can easily see how the decision to not have them would weaken the effectiveness of this. But again, it does not destroy it nor invalidate it.<br /><br />When studying issues such as this, I feel it is very important that we take the time to look at the many sides, consider the manifold feelings of those who may be struggling with the issue, and carefully consider what the Writings actually say, as opposed to laying our own personal or cultural interpretation over them.<br /><br />The issue is, as you say, nuanced. But nowhere in the Writings does it explicitly say that we cannot get married if we do not want children. And so, if a couple wishes to get married, but is not interested in having children, it seems to me that we should wish them well, encourage them in the strengthening of their marital bond, and allow them opportunity to grow into the idea of perhaps, if they so choose, having children at some point. To deny them the right to marry, though, when they have fulfilled all the actual requirements stated in the Writings, can do little more than drive them away from this very precious Faith.Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02046847133963919765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1734645058271734681.post-50130198053613324952016-11-19T06:36:41.617-08:002016-11-19T06:36:41.617-08:00Hi Mead.
Actually the topic of procreation came u...Hi Mead.<br /><br />Actually the topic of procreation came up in a study group this week so I should share this link: http://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance_2.html&chapter=2#Birth Control<br /><br />The topic of procreation is, like other issues in the Faith, nuanced. But it seems clear that barring incapacity, we can't enter into marriage with the intent never to produce children. The key word there is intent. At least that's my reading of it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13848335932020358553noreply@blogger.com