Encouraged NOT to have kids

by JustTickledPink 22 Replies latest jw friends

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  JustTickledPink

  I was just thinking about the publisher stats and the birth rate, that was mentioned.

  Do you all remember in the 80's at the assemblies everyone was encouraged NOT to have children, to spend their time pioneering, because at Armeggedon and in the time of the "tribulation" that it would be difficult with small kids.... to wait until the new system.

  I remember a couple that pioneered and she really wanted kids, so her husband made her a deal that they had to pioneer for 5 more years and if the "end" hadn't come yet, they could have kids. I think they were reaching 30. I do remember 5 years went by and they had a son, that was probably 15 years ago. Can you imagine the people that followed the advice and now are too old to have kids, but spent plenty of time pioneering?

  I can't remember if they ever said in the Watchtower, but I remember all the special talks at the assemblies came out and said it. Maybe some people listened, I don't know, but they definitely didn't do what the Mormons taught, otherwise the numbers would have climbed from all the new publishers, I mean children!
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  redskymedic

  Now that you mention it, I do recall that. I was only a teen at the time, but I remember thinking how terrible to tell people that.
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  freedom96

  The entire time I was an active witness, I always heard that. Especially during the late 70's and the 80's.
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  drwtsn32

  Oh yeah, this has been pushed for some time. Check out this list of quotes from WTS literature:

  http://quotes.watchtower.ca/children.htm
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  AK - Jeff

  JTP -

  that has been an ongoing theme since the 30's I think - Raymond Franz lists that as one of his great regrets as a witness in SoCF.

  I remember when my wife and I were just married it was common view at the time - in early 70's.

  Thank goodness that we raised a daughter - now we have 3 beautiful grandchildren that light up our lives everyday. They have truly been a lifesaver - since leaving the witness organization leaves you 'friendless', this has been a wonderful opportunity to love the grandchildren...

  Jeff
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  Doubtfully Yours

  They're still not big on breeding. Although not as direct now, they continue to emphasize how difficult is to bring up children in this wicked system of things, etc., etc.

  I don't have children due to health issues, but I satisfy my motherly instincts through my several nieces and nephews. However, I feel very bad for those couple that bought into the WTBTS of not having children and now they can't due to their age or something else.

  They really frown on fertility treatments. It's sad for some couples in there really.

  DY
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  Dawn

  I, for one, completely ignored their advice. In fact, I had my first child at 20 before I was married - what a rebellious little one I was (ha ha).

  I'm glad that I had children. Not only do they add so much to my life, but it's a chance to contribute to the future. I feel that by raising well balanced individuals that really care about other people they can make a difference in this world.
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  Fleur

  that has been an ongoing theme since the 30's I think - Raymond Franz lists that as one of his great regrets as a witness in SoCF.

  This is something that I know was going on in the 50's...my parents were told they shouldn't marry OR have children.

  They're grandparents now, thanks to me. But none of my siblings ever had kids. Thank god they'd be horrible parents. But anyway, imagine if you followed that, and you were in your sixties now with no kids or grandkids. I know it happened to a lot of people. They must be heartbroken. Not only no retirement funds to fall back on but who will care for them in their old age? Certainly not the 'loving brotherhood'.

  This is something that disillusions my mom so much. She keeps saying "We weren't supposed to get old. Now my kids have gray hair. When it is coming?"

  And she wonders why I don't believe every word coming from the WTS.

  Talk about adding burdens to the people. Pharisees! They're dispicable.

  ~essie
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  franklin J

  I recall VERY clearly that same schpeel given ( armegeddon is so close--wait for the new system to have kids) back in the 60s and the 70s.

  Pity those poor souls who swallowed it all and lost the wonderful oppurtunity to have a family of their own.
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  heathen

  drwtsn --- excellent post with that the WTBTS quote . These people are clearly insane . I was LMAO while reading that . # 1 --- I think if you get married you are not to interfere with the natural course of child bearing . #2 --- the apostle paul clearly stated that women are saved through faith sanctification and child bearing provided they have soundness of mind . These are clearly attempts from a publishing corporation to brainwash people into spending more time selling magazines . I almost exspect the WTBTS to open an orphanage to increase there number in the religion as no person could read crap like that and take it seriously , that I know anyway .