The (flip-flopping) history of whether JW's should have children:
IS IT ADVISABLE TO HAVE CHILDREN?
NO - Face the Facts (1938) pp.46,50"Would it be Scripturally proper for them to now marry and to begin to rear children? No, is the answer, which is supported by the Scripture. Those Jonadabs who now contemplate marriage, it would seem, would do better if they wait a few years, until the fiery storm of Armageddon is gone"
NO - Children (1941) p. 312-313"Should men and women, both of whom are Jonadabs or "other sheep" of the Lord now marry before Armageddon and bring forth children? They may choose to do so but the admonition or advice of the scriptures appears to be against it. The three sons of Noah and their wives were in the ark and were saved from the flood. They began to have children two years after the flood. That would appear to indicate it would be proper that those who will form the "great multitude" should wait until after Armageddon to bring children into the world."
YES - w50 10/15 p. 383 "Be Fruitful, Multiply, Fill the Earth"Since the carrying out of the command to "be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth" waits until after Armageddon, does that mean that those who now marry and rear children are violating God's laws? No, for the Scriptures show that "marriage is honourable in all"
YES - w51 6/15 p. 362 On Service Tour in New ZealandFrom the Scriptures it was shown that it is proper for Christians to marry and the purpose of marriage is the rearing of children.
NO - w71 4/1 p. 214 Preach God's Kingdom with the Right ViewpointIn modern times, among the many examples that might be cited is that of the young American couple that had settled down in a fine home and were planning to raise a family. Then one day the husband came home and said to his wife: 'Just what difference is there between us and the people of Christendom? We are contenting ourselves with mere token service when there is nothing to keep us from being in the full-time ministry. Let's quit our secular jobs, sell our home and enter the full-time pioneer ministry.' His wife gulped, for she had been looking forward to the joys of motherhood, to bearing and rearing a number of children. But she went to Jehovah in prayer and asked his help. And he did help her. So they entered the pioneer ministry and in a few years were invited to attend the Gilead missionary school. For some years now they have been very joyful serving as missionaries in a South American country.
NO - w88 3/1 pp. 21-22 par. 17 Childbearing Among God's PeopleInterestingly, during all this pre-Flood period, Noah's sons and their wives had no children. The apostle Peter specifically states that 'eight souls were carried safely through the water,' that is, four married couples but no children. (1 Peter 3:20) The sons' remaining childless was possibly for two reasons. First... they had a divinely appointed job to do that required their undivided attention. Second, they doubtless felt disinclined to bring children into... a world "full of violence." This is not to say that the course of action taken by Noah's sons and their wives before the Deluge was meant to set the rule for married couples living today. Nevertheless, since Jesus compared Noah's day to the period in which we are now living, their example can provide food for thought.
NO - Jeremiah book (2010 - Studied 2013) chap. 8 pp. 94-95 par. 7 Will You "Keep Living," as Did Jeremiah?6 What relevance is there in God's command that Jeremiah not marry or have children? Today, some loyal Christians are unmarried or have no children. Consider first that Jeremiah was to remain childless. Jesus did not command his followers to abstain from having children. Yet, it is noteworthy that he pronounced "woe" on pregnant women or those nursing a baby when tribulation came on Jerusalem in 66-70 C.E. That time would be especially difficult for them, given their situation. We now face a greater tribulation. This should add a dimension for Christian couples who are deciding whether to have children. While each couple must decide if they will have children, Jeremiah's case is worth considering.
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