Another thread on this was closed, but I just have to vent...
Neil Andersen is such a douchebag! (Anyone who wants to hear his talk first-hand, he's third in the Saturday afternoon session at http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions?lang=eng )

I am one of those who had a handful of miscarriages, including a very dangerous one in which I ended up in the hospital. Two different doctors told me "no more kids or you may die"! Yet church members told me -- as Spencer Kimball did as related in Neil Douchebag's talk -- that I was just lacking faith. I certainly don’t need guilt heaped upon me for the decision to be a mother to the children I already have rather than risking my life to add some more.

Berating someone for not having enough “faith” is completely illogical and irresponsible. Faith doesn't help them -- welfare programs are what end up supporting them! And then let’s consider that scientific evidence (from the National Institutes of Health, http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2005/september2005/docs/01features_02.htm) has shown a human’s brain is not fully developed until the age of 25. Specifically, the part of the brain that is last to develop is the frontal cortex, the area that involves reasoning and judgment, thinking skills, and decision-making abilities. Should someone who does not yet have a fully mature brain be creating and raising children?

Of course, TSCC has a very good reason for saying this... women who have kids young, particularly large numbers of them, are far less likely to finish higher education or career training... therefore being less likely to do anything outside the home and be exposed to happy, fulfilled non-member women and critical thinking skills... therefore being unable to question the Church! That is why the leaders are always counseling members to watch out for “intellectuals and feminists”. This type of exposure would eventually lead to a massive hemorrhaging loss of members, thus reducing the control of the church and, particularly, its income.

No wonder my husband was in such a mood all weekend, if this is the kind of trash being spewed forth...

what an imbecile...

I remember hearing part of that one! I was pretty horrified too, but felt a little better when he insisted that we don't judge others on this, and that the number and timing of having children is a choice between the couple alone. Still, I felt he was saying that out of obligation, because the rest seemed heavy laden with guilt trips and insistence on having children despite economic difficulties, etc...

IMHO, when they big wigs say "don't judge" it's code for "judge".

Yeah, I'd just love to hear the response when some man gets up in testimony meeting and says, "My wife and I have been inspired to not have children." I'll bet he gets pulled into the Bishop's office faster than you can say "vasectomy."

I had complications with my second child and two specialists told me that I could have another child but it would be a dangerous, high-risk pregnancy and I'd be lucky to survive. Being a total TBM, I had to get my bishop's opinion as well. He told me if I were his daughter, he'd say my children need a mother more than another sibling. I'm so grateful I dealt with a good man rather than this Andersen scum. Faith alone would not have been enough for my babies and I've never regretted taking steps to not have more kids. I'm just lucky and grateful I had the chance to decide to stay around for them. How dare anyone mess with someone's head about something so personal. Children are a major life decision and both parents and children suffer when someone interferes like that. It's NO ONE's business but the couple making the decision. Butt out, Andersen et. al.

My ex had two ectopic pregnancies (wedged 3 10 lb. baby boys in there) and that was that. We were both TBM and fucked and fucked trying to have more.

Stupidity running rampant.

Ron

This issue alone tipped DH from hardcore TBM to inactive NOM. We both walked out of ward conference when psycho SP was scolding the PH about having vasectomies.

My pregnancies were horrible. I almost died with the second.

Having babies is no one's fucking business, and personally, I am grateful we stopped at 2.

That is awful, as there could be more women dying after dangerous pregnancies who try again against medical advice. One thing I remember about the PBS documentary about Mormons was a widower talking about how his wife had several risky pregnancies, and when she became pregnant again, she died and left her husband to raise their 5 children alone.

OMG- Would the Lord want you to break commandments to be a doctor? This was Kimballs response to a man wanting to postpone kids until after med school? So, they had 3 while he was in med school...

OK this is why people will never see mormonism as "normal." Most people would see is desire to wait a responsible decision.

The man also thought his wife would have to work to support him. I bet not with 3 kids (the first less than a year afer is conversation with Kimball).

I didn't listen to it all, but did it happen to mention how they supported themselves? I bet that is the piece they didn't share...Really? Who tells people to go have kids knowing full well, they can not afford them or support them?

He said that??? Shit! My brother recently got married and he wants to go to med school. It sounded like they were planning on waiting to have kids which made me soo relieved. But they would have heard this talk this past weekend and I REALLY hope they don't change their minds!

That pisses me off!

I listened to this one live. I thought his delivery was very awkward. as if he was told to stress contradictory points.

1. push out as many as possible.
2. the number of kids you have is a personal descion.

and oh yeah

3. don't judge others.

Yeah, Don't judge others but know you are gods chosen if you push out kids like crazy. Then go on Facebook and whine about how "crazy" your life is. In between the whining make sure you interject how it is all worth it because Joe is at the top of his class and Jane was handpicked for a solo and Mark just got his mission call. Interpreted as:

"I am Great"
"I am Great"
"I am great"

But don't judge

That talk, along with Hollandaise's guilt trip about missionary work were the two wordst this past GC.

Just to support my point, this is a conversation that scrolled across my FB

A:"Having children is what God gave us time for." -- Elder Neil Anderson

B: I loved his talk

A:Wasn't that great?? Sometimes it is just hard to deal with the people who don't understand.

C:A great talk! Brought me a great deal of comfort! :)

A:Yes, I could have used that several years ago.

C:can't tell you how many times I hear "are all of those kids yours" that line in his talk made me laugh!

A:Oh please. If I only had a dime...!!!!

C:My favorite is when I have 4 more and mine it's quite funny then.

A:Welcome to my world, lol!

WaaaWaaa

I'm the oldest of seven. I really got sick of hearing "are all of those yours." But mom would eat it up and loved to start the conversations in grocery stores gas stations etc. I'm 17 years older than my youngest sister. There was a gap when I was out of school but she hadn't started yet.
You can't imagine the looks I'd get when I'd go places with my mom and youngest sister. It was very akward.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2011 08:38AM by peregrine.