Gwen and I were looking at metatrons thread this morning.
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=31522&site=3
and we were looking up some information on the wt cd-rom. In reading over some of the article and later on my drive into work, I started thinking about things. When I got to work, I sent her an email, which, with her blessings, I have posted here.
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You may wonder at times how I could go through my life, and really never have wanted children. Although I simply state most of the time, I just didn't want them that is just a "simple explanation" . The following few paragraphs are taken from the same wt you were looking for that quote for this morning.
All my years in as a jw , from childhood till my 40's, I heard repeatedly how important the "publishing" work was.
Everything for Jehovah and this included having children. Their attitude was very discouraging about this, and was "programmed" at an early age into me, and really thats where my desire to have any children was extinguished.
These things come to me as I reflect back over my life and its no different that some of the buried things and experiences people have, that surface later in life.
At a very early age, sometime in my teens, my mind was driven from that normal desire to have children, to not wanting them.
Now Im not saying its their entire fault. Im sure my own personal feelings play a part in that too.
Couple that with my "Programming", my personal feelings, (which over time Im sure if we had been together I would have changed my mind about that), and the fact that I married a woman with kids and a "ready made family"....and I think you can see why I never did have that desire, which is so normal, and had it ripped and torn away by a cult and other circumstances.
Which is why I dont mind hearing about your views and feelings about being a mother. It is something I have missed out on in life. I enjoy listening to you, and your deep caring and feelings as you tell about this thing or that thing that happened with your children. It gives me a chance to see what it is I missed out on in my life.
I hope you understand what I am trying to say here.
Here is the article....
w 88 3/1 article responsible child bearing among gods people.
"The Time Left Is Reduced"
12 In the first century C.E., Christians were not free to lead their lives like worldly people. Their situation would affect even their married life. Paul wrote: "Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none, . . . and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing. Indeed, I want you to be free from anxiety. . . . But this I am saying for your personal advantage, not that I may cast a noose upon you, but to move you to that which is becoming and that which means constant attendance upon the Lord without distraction."1 Corinthians 7:29-35.
13 Bible scholar Frdric Godet wrote: "Whereas unbelievers regard the world as sure to last indefinitely, the Christian has always before his eyes the great expected fact, the Parousia [Presence]." Christ had given his disciples the sign of his "presence," and had warned them: "Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:3, 42) The time left was "reduced" in that those first-century Christians had to live constantly in expectation of Christs coming. Furthermore, they did not know how much time remained for them individually before "time and unforeseen occurrence" brought their life to a close, ending all possibility for them to make their calling sure.Ecclesiastes 9:11; 2 Peter 1:10.
Childbearing Today
15 How should Christians view marriage and childbearing today, in this "time of the end"? (Daniel 12:4) It is truer than ever that "the scene of this world is changing," or, as another translation puts it, "the present scheme of things is rapidly passing away."1 Corinthians 7:31, Phillips.
16 Now, as never before, "the time left is reduced." Yes, only a limited time remains for Jehovahs people to finish the work he has given them to do, namely: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) That work must be accomplished before the end comes. It is, therefore, appropriate for Christians to ask themselves how getting married or, if married, having children will affect their share in that vital work.
"Critical Times"
19 Like Noah and his family, we are also living in "a world of ungodly people." (2 Peter 2:5) Like them, we are in "the last days" of a wicked system of things that is about to be destroyed. The apostle Paul prophesied that "the last days" of Satans system would bring "critical times hard to deal with." Showing that raising children would be one of the things hard to deal with, he added that children would be "disobedient to parents." He stated that people in general, not excluding children and adolescents, would be "unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection." (2 Timothy 3:1-3) While Paul was here prophesying of conditions among worldly people, obviously such prevalent attitudes would make the rearing of children increasingly difficult for Christians, as many have experienced.
20 All the foregoing shows that it is necessary to have a balanced view of childbearing. While it can bring many joys, it can also bring many heartaches. It has advantages and disadvantages. Some of these will be considered in the following article.
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Edited by - zev on 6 July 2002 11:37:40
Edited by - zev on 6 July 2002 14:36:12