*** w99 6/15 27-8 Questions From Readers ***
Since sterilization procedures are now said to be reversible on request, might a Christian view them as a birth-control option?
A central point is that reproductive powers are a gift from our Creator. His original purpose included procreation by perfect humans, who would fill the earth and subdue it. (Genesis 1:28) After the Flood cut earths population to eight, God repeated those basic instructions. (Genesis 9:1) God did not repeat that command to the nation of Israel, but Israelites viewed having offspring as something very desirable.1 Samuel 1:1-11; Psalm 128:3.
[Translation: having children is what God wants us to do.]
Gods Law to Israel contained indications of his regard for human procreation. For example, if a married man died before producing a son to carry on his lineage, his brother was to father a son by brother-in-law marriage. (Deuteronomy 25:5) More to the point was the law about a wife who tried to help her husband in a fight. If she grasped the privates of her husbands opponent, her hand was to be amputated; significantly, God did not require eye-for-eye damage to her or her husbands reproductive organs. (Deuteronomy 25:11, 12) This law would clearly engender respect for reproductive organs; these were not to be destroyed needlessly.
[Translation: a guy's cookies are more important than a woman's hand.]
We know that Christians are not under Israels Law, so the regulation at Deuteronomy 25:11, 12 is not binding on them. Jesus neither ordered nor implied that his disciples must marry and have as many children as possible, which many couples have considered when deciding on whether to use some method of birth control. (Matthew 19:10-12) The apostle Paul did encourage passionate younger widows to marry and bear children. (1 Timothy 5:11-14) He did not bring up the permanent sterilization of Christianstheir voluntarily sacrificing their reproductive potential to bear children.
[Translation: "While we're not under the law and Jesus never put any restrictions on birth control, you'd better pay damn good attention to what we're going to tell you next."]
Christians do well to weigh such indications that God esteems their reproductive ability. Each couple must determine if and when they will employ appropriate methods of family planning.
[Translation: "This is your decision, but we're going to tell you what it is going to be. Or else."]
But Christians who are not facing such an unusual and distinct risk would certainly want to use soundness of mind and shape their thinking and deeds by Gods esteem for reproductive potential. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; 2:2, 5-8)
[Translation: "By 'soundness of mind,' we mean you'd better do as we say and let US 'shape' your thinking. Or else."]
This would reflect mature sensitivity to Scriptural indications. Yet, what if it became publicly known that a Christian blithely disregarded Gods evaluations?
[Note how after all the blather about "it's your conscience...only you can make that decision...there is no ban on sterilization in the Bible for Christians," ad nauseum, they have the gall to tell you if you exercise your conscience in a way that they don't like you have "blightly disregarded God himself!"]
Would not others doubt whether he (or, she) was a good example, having a reputation of making decisions in harmony with the Bible? Such a disturbing blemish...
[What should clearly and Biblically be a matter of conscience has been deftly turned into, "if you don't do what we want, you are doubtless a bad example with a "disburbing BLEMISH" on your reputation." This is Watchtower manipulation at its finest.]
...on ones reputation could, of course, affect a ministers being qualified for special privileges of service, though that might not be so if one had in ignorance had this procedure performed.1 Timothy 3:7.
[What's this "of course" shit "affecting a minister's being qualified for special privileges? IS IT A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE OR ISN'T IT WATCHTOWER? If it is, then shut the fuck up about it, and quit judging others for exercising their own conscience. If it isn't, then have the guts to look like the asses you are and put a ban on it.]
Now, here's the kicker as pointed out to me by a friend of mine:
If you choose to be sterilized and people find out about it, you have a "disturbing blemish on your reputation" and you will lose all your special privileges for the rest of your life.
If you choose instead to rape little children, you can get your special privileges back after twenty or so years.
Therefore, Watchtower views sterilization as a greater crime than it does the raping of children, even though sterilization hurts no one or at the worst, hurts no one other than the one being sterilized. I say this because "privileges" are the most important JW asset there is.
This is all "Bible-Based(tm)."
Farkel