It's called the Quiverfull movement. I heard about it on NPR this morning.This is an evangelical Protestant movement in the U.S. which advocates large families on Biblical principles. The name comes from part of Psalm 127, which says that numerous children are a blessing, like a full quiver of arrows.
I would say that this notion would have greater applicability in a society with a lower lifespan and a higher infant mortality rate.
I have encountered variations of the notion that birth control is sinful and that pregnancy should be left up to divine providence. Some of these have struck me as anti-sex, although Quiverfull does not seem to have this bent.
One of the Quiverfull women interviewed on NPR advocated a curious form of evangelism: growing Christianity by outbreeding Islam.
For a contrary approach: vasectomies are on the rise in the U.S. during this recession.
5 comments:
This crap wreaks of Mormonism.
"If we have more and more children, we will be closer to Heavenly Father. Oh, and we will be better than our neighbors in heaven since we have 10 kids and they only have 8. Oh, and if I have more than one wife, I can have more kids and be even more enlarged in his kingdom."
Please.....
This movement is very strong in Christian homeschooling circles around here.
That Bible verse refers specifically to sons you can train up to fight your territorial battles: "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate." Girls are only useful in that they might bring more sons you can use to defend your territory.
I went to a Catholic homeschooling curriculum fair once where the speaker had 20 children and said that if we were faithful we would eventually outnumber "them". By "them" she was referring to the secular culture, as this was years ago before Islam became a focus.
You know, I used to be good friends with a Quiverfull mom, and she struck me as quite sane and religious in a healthy way--she saw practicing this as a way of practicing radical trust in God's providence. If both partners in the couple are on board, go right ahead. I think some people are called to large families, and are brilliant with them. But most aren't.
The vasectomy rise and abortion rise in January is very sobering--one of the sad consequences of a horrible economy.
You know, if you really want a full quiver, you'd get two wives.
Hmmm.
I'll have a chat with my wife when she gets home.
Do you really think she would share you!!!! Another wife is only good to provide more money & then stay out of the way.
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