Posted on 11/09/2021 10:43:36 AM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
1. A common method of sperm retrieval (masturbation with the assistance of pornography) involves a violation of the sixth commandment (Matthew 5:28; Colossians 3:5; Exodus 20:14).
2. Many ethical and practical issues are the same here as with surrogate parenting. A review of surrogate parenting material would be appropriate.
3. Sperm banks raise valid social and legal concerns re: paternal rights, the rights of children to know their parents, transmission of diseases, and a checkered past of mismanagement resulting in mistaken insemination of sperm.
I reject the argument that sperm banks presume for humans the authority of God. The role of God in the life giving process extends far beyond the comparatively minuscule tasks of mixing sperm and egg together. The statistical information on the thousands of sperm that never can penetrate the egg’s shell alone suggests that God has never deserted his lifegiving functions. While some have allowed technology to suggest that God’s miracles are explainable, even agnostic medical pioneers in these fields develop a growing sense of awe and respect over the complexity and miraculous nature of the procreative process.
God’s prerogative to author and terminate life is not subordinate to our activities (Deuteronomy 32:39). The virgin Mary was an example in which God did not wait for sexual relations to begin life (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:34). People use a wide variety of fertility techniques and birth control devices and nevertheless are still subject to the will of God as to when life begins and ends (Job 17:11; Psalm 20:4; Psalm 33:10; Proverbs 16:9). Medical advances represent blessings for us to manage. When we exercise that management with the proper motives and understanding of God’s will there is no usurping of God’s authority (Job 22:21; James 4:710). When, however, we have the attitude that God made a mistake with us in making us infertile, or that life is trivial and subordinate to our own desires, we cross that line (Job 2:10; Hebrews 11:6; Philippians 4:1113).
It is not wrong to desire the blessing of children as we also desire the blessing of a nice home, good job, a friendly and Christcentered church, good friends, etc (1 Samuel 1:120). While we pursue these other blessings we carefully watch our steps so that we do not violate the principles of God in the process. So also should we carefully watch our step when seeking the blessing of children. We should ask ourselves: Are my motives Godpleasing? Will the techniques pursued compromise God’s value in human life? In the end will this effort be done to give God the full glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).
I would have to say that my chief protest against the practice is that it can be said to be abandoning our progeny to potentially horrific circumstances.
I’m not talking about abuse or such things but to possibly having heathens etc for parents. We are told not join ourselves to those who reject the Lord, but with these techniques a man surrenders his progeny to whatever happens to pay for the service and in effect joins with them. Whatever befalls the child then can be viewed as a sort of negligence.
Now if sperm banks operated differently, or if our society was not so thoroughly corrupted, and people in the culture not showing signs of being turned over to depraved minds then the protest would weaken greatly.
Likewise it is reduced when the “donor” knows where his donation is going, and can at least approve of it … as when IVF is used where a couple have had problems conceiving a child.
It interferes with the two goods of marriage, fostering progeny and solidarity of the parents. A child conceived in vitro is denied the natural relationship to the biological father through the ordinary marital embrace. In theory it could be the father, in practice it is virtually always a stranger. The child knows, this “father” is not really mine. And there is about a 2.67 × increase in the rare pediatric cancer retinoblastoma. The commercial push for in vitro fertilization is due to the difficulty in sustaining pregnancy after surgical abortion.
If a man committed self-abuse without the aid of pornographic material, would it violate a teaching of the Bible?
Yep. That’s basically what I meant by abandoning any child’s welfare, especially their spiritual welfare, to only the Lord knows what conditions.
But I didn’t even want to bring medical issues related to abortion into that post because the complaint in that case is different, that in murdering the child the “parent(s)” are are not abandoning the child to an unknown fate but, well, murdering it. It says a lot about our so-called culture that for too many the end all be all of “freedom” is killing babies.
About 20 years ago, a friend of a friend (uber lefty) decided she wanted a child, and was impregnated through sperm donation. No father, biological or otherwise. I shook my head when my friend told me, and she could not understand my dismay over such a thing.
I said I felt for the poor child. “Mommy, tell me who my father is.”
“Sure, son. I wanted to have a child and wasn’t married, so I got some clinic to insert sperm into my body so that you could be conceived. Your father was just some guy interested in a few extra dollars, so he went into a room to do his things with the help of dirty movies.”
Isn’t that just lovely? Wouldn’t that just make a child feel so loved and wanted? And we wonder why our kids are so lost. Selfish mother. I want what I want, and who gives a rip what effect it has on an innocent child.
Actually God is in favor of sperm donation.In fact He commanded it.If a man died without leaving an heir,God commanded his brother or next closest relative to donate sperm to the widow to carry on the name and inheritance.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.