One of the scripture passages that always worried me about getting pregnant were the end times passages. The synoptic gospels, Mathew, Mark, and Luke, each include Jesus warning pregnant women and those with young children about how hard it will be for them at the end of the ages. Though they do not speak directly to whether to have children, I do think they provide a good warning for parents to be.
After reading them multiple times I found myself silently praying that I could get through pregnancy and nursing before the eschatology. Many religious groups throughout time have focused on the current age being the end of time. With this interpretation of scripture these passages can be seen as a direct warning to consider not having children because of the warnings of the great suffering.
Even if you do not interpret scripture as saying that the end of the world is imminent, I do think these scriptures serve as a wake up call. If you are considering having your own children or even adopting young children, you should be warned that life will be more difficult for you. Traveling, even just out to buy diapers, is much more difficult. In the early days of having newborn twins it used to take me about three hours from the time I started working on it until I was able to get all three of us happily out the door to somewhere. Note I could have left with two screaming infants much sooner if it was needed, but that would have made any outing much, much worse for both us and everyone around us.
I do not want to take theses passages too lightly for those who do interpret them for the current time, but for most people I do not feel that they are a serious reason not to have children. (Very few children today do rise up to kill their parents and most of us are not fleeing for the hills on a regular basis.) However, most life events that would have been stressful without kids are much more so with children you are parenting.
Passages in NRSV synoptic gospels warning parents:
matt 24:15-25
The Desolating Sacrilege
‘So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!”—do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand.
Luke 21:20-25
The Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold
‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfilment of all that is written. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Mark 13:10-25
And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
The Desolating Sacrilege
‘But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not be in winter. For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days. And if anyone says to you at that time, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “Look! There he is!”—do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be alert; I have already told you everything.
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