Surrogacy?

[Mommy2Kids]

I'm thankful that I didn't have to make difficult decisions. And I try to not judge people for their personal decisions.

[beensetfree]

(04-26-2012 06:48 PM)elfdream Wrote:  I've have Catholic friends who have endured many miscarriages. They've run the gamut of medical testing but they accept this as the particular cross that they have to bear in life. Some have gone on to adopt or take in foster kids.

That sounds so flippant and fundy and I don't mean it to be but that is how they deal with it.

Quote:Posted by myotch - Today 11:54 AM
Reproduction is a touchy, emotional subject. It's hard to discuss philosophy and religious doctrine and dogma about it without offending someone dealing with fertility health issues.

The church's stance regarding IVF, surrogacy, and other forms of causing pregnancy outside the "norms' of marital intercourse is principled and covers many moral issues. Not to say it's not open to criticism - most principled approaches are. But here, the church has decided not to take a relative position. Un-pragmatic approaches will almost always leave someone with hurt or negative feelings.

In the Old Testament, infertility was dealt with by the use of polygamy and concubines. The New Testament discourages polygamy, and often, the focus isn't on how "blessed" people who have family and material things are, but how blessed those that don't have family and riches are and can be.

I won't pretend to know the mind of God on this matter, but like Elf, I'll defer to the wisdom of the Church.

You both summed up nicely.

I am NOT Catholic for several doctrinal reasons but on this issue and abortion and family life I can wholeheartedly agree. That's why Lutheran's, I lean that way, will stand with their reasoning on this as well. I don't have to agree with their creed or declarations but I can appreciate the biblical reasoning.
It seems Catholic doctrine has tried to reason this from Scripture and deferred to it as a means of protecting the sanctity of God's work and informing Christians on sound practice. A place like the Ruth Institute expands on the principle Scriptural reasoning behind the Catholic stance but in a way that is accessible to all Christians.

There's something to be said for understanding that suffering and bearing our cross IS a central part of the Christian life. When we can find comfort from the Scriptures in our trials and look to God in our weaknesses knowing He still loves us it builds faith in Him.

I'm not going to judge a woman who has or is going through IVF. I watched a friend unsuccessfully go through the process and it's very emotional, expensive and difficult. They eventually adopted. My heart goes out to any couples in this situation, I hope they will find comfort from the LORD.

(04-26-2012 08:14 AM)briceman Wrote:  Well, regardless of the method of conception, God still is the author of that life. If the baby is conceived in a test tube, or inside of mom, it is still God's power that breaths life into that baby. We cannot do anything outside the spectrum of God's authority, and if He wanted IVF to stop He would not give life to any of those embryos.

God frequently allows children to be born despite the unsound circumstances of their conception. He works despite it but does that justify the method? For instance, I conceived my daughter out of wedlock or a child conceived from adultery or rape etc. God is till the author of Life but that doesn't mean how they got here was not breaking His clear proclamation and that He's put a stamp of approval on it.

If a Christian used IVF and God gave them a child through it of course the child is still a blessing and His workmanship.

Then there is the IVF industry and can anyone argue from a Christian perspective that it's a morally sound thing? I don't think so. It exploits men and women and generally functions for profit.

It's one thing to reason using a couple's genetic material but using donor materials or the wife's egg and another man's sperm?

Would it be OK for a Christian to practice genetic selection in this process, I'm sure someone might think it's OK to prevent disease, etc.
A Christian would have to also watch out for their surrogate and how she is treated, paid, etc. Some women perform this service because they are poor though many do it because they want to help a couple. There are so many complex issues at hand beyond Surrogacy.

briceman, you really brought up a tough subject!

I'll post this link again for any woman dealing with this struggle because these women have walked in your shoes:He Remembers the Barren

[Persnickety Polecat]

(04-26-2012 06:48 PM)elfdream Wrote:  

(04-26-2012 06:41 PM)Persnickety Polecat Wrote:  My infertility was CAUSING the loss of human life. It did six times total, with five miscarriages and the loss of a twin. Would THAT have been ok to "fix"? Or should I have just continued to get pregnant? Or been celibate? I'm curious as to how women who are in my position (and there are many) would have to deal with this and be faithful to their beliefs.

I've have Catholic friends who have endured many miscarriages. They've run the gamut of medical testing but they accept this as the particular cross that they have to bear in life. Some have gone on to adopt or take in foster kids.

That sounds so flippant and fundy and I don't mean it to be but that is how they deal with it.

You say they go on to adopt or foster kids, but you don't say what they do about their pregnancies. Do they just become celibate with their husbands, then? I don't really understand how that works.

And FWIW, I ended up getting and staying pregnant without resorting to technology, so it's all academic for me, but it does bother me that some women may feel torn in this terrible middle ground.

[elfdream]

I am not sure but I do know most of them practise natural family planning.