Thou Shalt Not Steal - Anglicans argue for having fewer kids

[Ele]

Wow. Just WOW. I have to say today that I am impressed by the Anglicans. They are theologically defining negligent overpopulation as a theft of resources from others.
*taking a little step back from my usual strictly secular stance, hoping they'll be lent a political ear on this one*
Even if the world is doomed by overpopulation anyway, and their call is hopeless, good on them for taking a moral stance out of their Bible for not overburdening the future generations who'll have to deal with the fight over scarce resources.

Anglicans argue for fewer kids

The Anglican Church wants Australians to have fewer children and has urged the federal government to scrap the baby bonus and cut immigration levels.

The General Synod of the Anglican Church has issued a warning that current rates of population growth are unsustainable and potentially out of step with church doctrine - including the eighth commandment ''thou shall not steal''.

In a significant intervention, the Anglican Public Affairs Commission has also warned concerned Christians that remaining silent ''is little different from supporting further overpopulation and ecological degradation''.

''Out of care for the whole Creation, particularly the poorest of humanity and the life forms who cannot speak for themselves … it is not responsible to stand by and remain silent,'' a discussion paper by the commission warns.

''Unless we take account of the needs of future life on Earth, there is a case that we break the eighth commandment - 'Thou shall not steal'.''

The discussion paper, prepared in March, claims that federal government financial incentives encouraging childbirth should be scrapped and replaced with improved support for parents, such as leave.

[Ele]

24 views of this thread and not even ONE witty dry comment from a single one of you about how you're glad that at least one religious mob won't be increasing their numbers? I am disappointed. C'mon! This is incredible. Morals about resources overconsumption and biblical references aside, these are CHRISTIANS saying "let's not have so many babies"!

[normal]

I'm glad at least one religious mob won't be increasing their numbers.

[Trolldor]

24 views of this thread and not even ONE witty dry comment from a single one of you about how you're glad that at least one religious mob won't be increasing their numbers? I am disappointed. C'mon! This is incredible. Morals about resources overconsumption and biblical references aside, these are CHRISTIANS saying "let's not have so many babies"!

I suspect the Anglican throught process went something like this:

"Oh, a wagon... with a band! Let us join it!"

[colubridae]

24 views of this thread and not even ONE witty dry comment from a single one of you about how you're glad that at least one religious mob won't be increasing their numbers? I am disappointed. C'mon! This is incredible. Morals about resources overconsumption and biblical references aside, these are CHRISTIANS saying "let's not have so many babies"!

Why not tell them to "go forth and multiply"

I've only just found this thread will that do?

Logic chopping, buybull pic-n-mix and cognitive somersaults are Mr & Mrs Church's stock in trade.

[Ele]

I'm glad at least one religious mob won't be increasing their numbers.

O rly? I agree. Has anyone ever told you how dry and witty you are?

[Ele]

I've only just found this thread will that do?

awwww, you gets redempshuns

Logic chopping, buybull pic-n-mix and cognitive somersaults are Mr & Mrs Church's stock in trade.

What? So you reckon they're just trying to sound relevant and trick everyone else into using contraception, but have no intention to stop breeding masses of little Anglicans perhaps?
hmmm

sounds positively conspiratorial

[colubridae]

I've only just found this thread will that do?

awwww, you gets redempshuns

Logic chopping, buybull pic-n-mix and cognitive somersaults are Mr & Mrs Church's stock in trade.

What? So you reckon they're just trying to sound relevant and trick everyone else into using contraception, but have no intention to stop breeding masses of little Anglicans perhaps?
hmmm

sounds positively conspiratorial

Kind of...

I think that any church hierarchy will

"do or say anything that will sell more church"

and

I think that any newspaper will

"do or say anything that will sell more papers"


Do I sound cynical?

[JimC]

Here is my take on this...

The members of the church and their hierarchy that have made their decision came to it by sound ethical and environmental reasoning. Of course, I label it sound because I agree with it, but it is certainly a very defensible position. They are good people at heart, etc. etc.

Then the rationalisation starts...

"We must dress up this decision in theological clothes, to impress the members of our flock who are only swayed by arguments with biblical backing"...

[colubridae]

Here is my take on this...

The members of the church and their hierarchy that have made their decision came to it by sound ethical and environmental reasoning. Of course, I label it sound because I agree with it, but it is certainly a very defensible position. They are good people at heart, etc. etc.

Then the rationalisation starts...

"We must dress up this decision in theological clothes, to impress the members of our flock who are only swayed by arguments with biblical backing"...

They can't just gloss over centuries of mayhem and bloodshed as if it didn't happen and then take the moral high ground.
It's still 'This is how you should lead your lives, my children'



Dear God,

why don't you

Regards Col.

[Geoff]

24 views of this thread and not even ONE witty dry comment from a single one of you about how you're glad that at least one religious mob won't be increasing their numbers? I am disappointed. C'mon! This is incredible. Morals about resources overconsumption and biblical references aside, these are CHRISTIANS saying "let's not have so many babies"!

Mainly underwhelmed because it's "only the Anglicans". Now if the Catholix or Muslimes followed suit...

[Ele]

Mainly underwhelmed because it's "only the Anglicans". Now if the Catholix or Muslimes followed suit...

BINGO!