My in laws said it would be sinful for me to be a surrogate mother, because that is what the Catholic church teaches. They said the problem is that it involves in vitro fertilization. Why do they say that's a sin? What's wrong with helping infertile couples have children?
2007-05-03 11:26:10 · 18 answers · asked by Graciela, RIRS 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The problem is that once the couple becomes pregnant, they dispose of the embryos that were created in the process. This to many who believe like the Catholic church does, that life begins at conception is murder and for this reason they opposed IVF. Your in-laws are devout Catholics and this is why they feel is morally wrong for you to do this. Not all Catholics think like this but the Church's position is very clear on this and they suggest adoption as an alternative. Just do what you think is right and don't pay attention to them.
2007-05-03 11:31:21 · answer #1 · answered by cynical 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The ends do not justify the means. The ends, bearing children, is a great thing. However, achieving this end does not justify means that are morally unacceptable.
A child is supposed to be conceive through an act of one spouse freely giving of one's self to the other. I am speaking of sex, of course.
If, for whatever reason, the couple cannot conceive, it is not wrong for them to seek help from the medical community. There are morally acceptable means for the couple to increase the likelihood of conceiving, and there are morally unacceptable means.
The couple is morally obligated to employ only those methods deemed morally acceptable because, objectively speaking, one cannot justify something bad - even if it is intended for the good.
In vitro removes the conjugal act from the conception process and, in the case of surrogate parents, employs the use of a womb that does not actually belong to the child's mother.
For in-depth explanations of these things, you might want to look into reading Chris West's book, "The Good News about Sex and Marriage".
The Church has nothing against helping infertile couples conceive children. It's just that the Church wants to make sure no morally illicit means are called upon because, again, the ends cannot justify the means.
2007-05-04 02:38:25 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because in-vitro fertilization requires that they fertilize several eggs in a petri dish...around 7 or so. Then they transfer 1 or 2 into the womb. They freeze the rest for backups. If the pregnancy takes, then the others are disposed of or used for testing.
Several lives are created...and some are killed. That is why the Catholic church opposes it.
2007-05-03 11:31:16 · answer #3 · answered by Misty 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Church believes life begins at conception.
With invitro - several eggs are fertilized. Those fertilized eggs are people.
People who never get the chance to live. Potential people who's DNA will be spliced to rice and other such works of Frankenstein.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/humanrice031505.cfm
2007-05-03 11:39:06 · answer #4 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They believe it's the same as playing God. It's the same reason they are so against abortion, a subject I agree with them on. Personally, I would have to say that I do not think it's a good idea. Too many times, you see the surrogate mother decide she wants the baby. It's another man's sperm inside you, one you are not married to, that's the thing !
2007-05-03 11:33:50 · answer #5 · answered by The Count 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not only not natural and therefor not of God as far as they are concerned. It also circumvents the perceived divine aspect of conception. Catholics believe that life begins at the time of conception (that is also why they are against abortion and removing conception from divine providence and forcing conception with a needle is ( again in their eyes) wrong. But do not single out catholics it is a belief held by many far right christian people.
2007-05-03 11:37:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Catholics believe that life begins at fertilization. In the case of IVF, that fertilization is not occurring between a man and a woman (it's occurring in a test tube) and as such is an abomination.
2007-05-03 11:34:39 · answer #7 · answered by Kat 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I support ivf and art. I am not exactly sure what procedures art covers, but I also support the use of clomid, or artificial insemination. I also support surrogacy and adoption. I am Christian. The only thing I do not like is wasted embryos. I support donating unused embryos to other people going through the proceedure, or, yes, to stem cell research. I know the stem cell thing is controversial, but I do NOT support destroying them to be thrown out in the trash.
2016-05-19 23:00:39 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
>>They said the problem is that it involves in vitro fertilization. Why do they say that's a sin?<<
Why not read the document and find out first hand?
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19870222_respect-for-human-life_en.html
2007-05-03 11:36:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
My wife and I used a surrogate mother- so, firstly, thank you.
Secondly: go through a very reputable organization that will make sure all of your bills get paid, provides group therapy sessions, the works. You'll be glad you did.
I can't speak for all of Christianity, but I did have a christian woman explain to me that there were problems with conceiving via IVF and surrogacy. "really" I said, thinking that she was talking about birth defects or something. Then she explained to me that my baby will not have a soul.
I smiled and thanked her for her concern.
good luck to you. you're doing a wonderful thing.
2007-05-03 11:31:34 · answer #10 · answered by Morey000 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋