# Pope Francis says not having children is selfish **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 12, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449 "2015-02-12T04:17:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/41 "2015-02-12T21:44:02Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Eh. Every organized religion says in one way or another, women’s place in society is to produce children. Actually, I think Buddhism is silent on that point. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/42 "2015-02-12T21:47:14Z")
Ooooooh, Frankie! I think all the secular liberals who used to love you are about to abandon you in droves. I’m tempted to say “Serves you right.” But who am I to judge? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/43 "2015-02-12T22:14:41Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > He must have been up to something to get all those Vatican guards to wear those outfits. Those outfits were designed by a costume company. And, as quaint as the Swiss Guards look, they are really armed–with modern automatic pistols. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/44 "2015-02-12T22:47:38Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I’ve seen stories about how the RCC is so desperate for priests that they accept still-married converted Anglican/Episcopalian priests into their ranks. They have done so for a long while. It’s not a new thing. > [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > What does this even mean? Rant about some of the more obnoxious aspects of “Natural Family Planning”, with a side order of extra bitterness at the end. > [@astorian](#): > > Ooooooh, Frankie! I think all the secular liberals who used to love you are about to abandon you in droves. > > I’m tempted to say “Serves you right.” But who am I to judge? And you believe he cares about the admiration of shallow secularists? That he has been saying the things he has been saying for ratings among the Libsphere? (Serves \*them \*right if they forgot the Pope’s Catholic, though…) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/45 "2015-02-13T00:24:37Z")
> [@Flywheel](#): > > …except the Shakers. And that’s how True Simplicity is gained! ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/46 "2015-02-13T01:01:16Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > What does this even mean? I think it means they have been trying very hard for ten years with no luck to have a child and doesn’t like being called selfish for it. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/47 "2015-02-13T01:01:25Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > Has a Pope ever had children? Oh yeah, check out some of the medieval popes such as the Borgias. ---
**Author:** ![Cell\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Cell\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cell_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/48 "2015-02-13T01:16:53Z")
I’ve been having sex for 28 years. I have no children. If Frankie’s God wanted me to have some I think he would have hooked me up by now. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/49 "2015-02-13T01:19:48Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > One one hand, he has a point, especially given the nature of our social safety nets, but on the other, Paul said, “It is better not to marry”. Did Paul just want to sleep around? ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/50 "2015-02-13T01:30:27Z")
The Pope does not know what he is talking about ! Some people should never have kids , it’s selfness if they do ! I guess the church is worried they’ll run out children to sexuality abused. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/51 "2015-02-13T01:41:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by JRDelirious View Post > News Report: OMG did you hear, Catholic Leader advocates folowing Catholic doctrines. Film at eleven. Was he just speaking about Catholics or are the rest of us selfish too if we don’t want have children? I believe only Catholics are encouraged to follow the church doctrine, or am I expected to attend Mass now too? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/52 "2015-02-13T01:51:45Z")
> [@somepumpkin](#): > > Did Paul just want to sleep around? Let’s just say he wanted to live by the Scripture, “Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/53 "2015-02-13T01:55:02Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > … But I prefer an alternative view which states: “By not having children I’m not adding to the resource consumption of the planet by humans.” You can probably guess whether or not I have kids. There are some as say that the population problem is way overblown. I mean, we could increase the number of people on Earth fivefold and still have a full acre of land for every man, woman and child. So, go claim your icy rock off the coast of Heard Island and breed well, my friend, there is plenty of room for more of us. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/54 "2015-02-13T02:27:36Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > Has a Pope ever had children? Define “had.” ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/55 "2015-02-13T02:49:33Z")
> [@Cell\_Guy](#): > > I’ve been having sex for 28 years. > […] **GOOD LORD!!!** You should stop and rest. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/56 "2015-02-13T03:32:57Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > There are some as say that the population problem is way overblown. I mean, we could increase the number of people on Earth fivefold and still have a full acre of land for every man, woman and child. So, go claim your icy rock off the coast of Heard Island and breed well, my friend, there is plenty of room for more of us. See [Cornucopian vs. Malthusian debate](http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Cornucopian_vs._Malthusian_debate). ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/57 "2015-02-13T03:33:58Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Was he just speaking about Catholics or are the rest of us selfish too if we don’t want have children? I believe only Catholics are encouraged to follow the church doctrine, or am I expected to attend Mass now too? You don’t get it. **All** human beings are Catholics. Some are lapsed. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/58 "2015-02-13T03:53:11Z")
Now, did you read the encyclical written by the Pope? He says folks with private property ain’t got no hope The rich ain’t welcome in the Heavenly Palladium The Knights of Columbus own Yankee Stadium Now, I ain’t sayin’ that the Pope was wrong But he can easily afford to sing that song If you’d like to call him up when you need some dough His number’s Et Cum Spiritu-20 – “Color TV,” Don Maclean ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/59 "2015-02-13T03:54:12Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > **GOOD LORD!!!** You should stop and rest. Don’t listen to him! You’re this close to breaking Mick Jagger’s record! ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449/60 "2015-02-13T05:17:17Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > You don’t get it. **All** human beings are Catholics. Some are lapsed. Sez who? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-francis-says-not-having-children-is-selfish/712449.md?page=4)