one more thought: the antinatalist philosophy probably contains heresies, according to Christian judgment.
Monks or religious often do develop a life of celibacy and don’t have kids. So there was a place for people who don’t want kids, in Christendom.
Also there is a belief in heaven which is the everlasting absence of suffering, or at least which is thought superior to nonexistence. Hence they seem to implicitly deny the existence of the afterlife in their philosophy. Their view of life is that is is only suffering and then people die and do not exist. So it’s a secular or anti-Christian worldview and therefore lacks logic of Christian thought.
The goal of life is to know, love, and serve God in this life and be with Him in the next. Fundamentally the anti-natalist worldview seems to lack this vision. Perhaps the movement Christians might want to see in response is to encourage people to live good lives more. Or discussing what makes life meaningful and worth living.
I may need to create a standalone post on this as it is a frustrating recurring topic that older generations haven’t addressed much as far as I know.
The goal of life is to know, love, and serve God in this life and be with Him in the next.
I would like to say that this is a noble goal indeed but it isn’t written anywhere. Religion gives us understanding, a reference to relate to one another and perspective (where we are in the universe). Some people derive meaning but in Christianity as far as I can tell that meaning is never actually spelled out. Probably because it isn’t meant to be the same for every person.
I do know that one of the very first things that the Bible said to do was to be fruitful and multiply.
well, in the Bible the highest commandment is to love God with all your heart. but I guess the people who don’t know the Gospel don’t know that. Although to some extent the moral principles are “written on the heart” as I think it says in Romans.
meaning is never actually spelled out
maybe we can live meaningless lives, and unhappy ones. Neither seem necessary for salvation. Heaven can give meaning and happiness in the next life.
one more thought: the antinatalist philosophy probably contains heresies, according to Christian judgment.
Monks or religious often do develop a life of celibacy and don’t have kids. So there was a place for people who don’t want kids, in Christendom.
Also there is a belief in heaven which is the everlasting absence of suffering, or at least which is thought superior to nonexistence. Hence they seem to implicitly deny the existence of the afterlife in their philosophy. Their view of life is that is is only suffering and then people die and do not exist. So it’s a secular or anti-Christian worldview and therefore lacks logic of Christian thought.
The goal of life is to know, love, and serve God in this life and be with Him in the next. Fundamentally the anti-natalist worldview seems to lack this vision. Perhaps the movement Christians might want to see in response is to encourage people to live good lives more. Or discussing what makes life meaningful and worth living.
I may need to create a standalone post on this as it is a frustrating recurring topic that older generations haven’t addressed much as far as I know.
I would like to say that this is a noble goal indeed but it isn’t written anywhere. Religion gives us understanding, a reference to relate to one another and perspective (where we are in the universe). Some people derive meaning but in Christianity as far as I can tell that meaning is never actually spelled out. Probably because it isn’t meant to be the same for every person.
I do know that one of the very first things that the Bible said to do was to be fruitful and multiply.
This is not that.
well, in the Bible the highest commandment is to love God with all your heart. but I guess the people who don’t know the Gospel don’t know that. Although to some extent the moral principles are “written on the heart” as I think it says in Romans.
maybe we can live meaningless lives, and unhappy ones. Neither seem necessary for salvation. Heaven can give meaning and happiness in the next life.