does your religion accept ART?

LaLe09

In light of the Pope's recent remarks, I started wondering about other relgions. I know there are some that do accept ART. DH and I have been thinking of leaving the Catholic Church for a while now and I am starting to research other relgions.

Have you found a church that you feel that your infertility and treatment choices are accepted?

 

 

ThereBeDragons

My mom calls the episcopal church "catholic lite" (my whole family is southern baptist but I fell in love with the teachings, ceremony, and tradition of my husband's religion and converted) and I'd recommend going to a service or two and seeing if it's a better fit for your family. Our priest is nothing but supportive and sympathetic to our infertility situation and has no ill words for IVF or other ART.

Ruthie04

DH grew up in the Episcopal church, which we have always found to be very accepting. Presently, DH and I go to a Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). The PCUSA church has specifically addressed IUI and IVF as responsible methods of conception. They go on to say they would oppose any law that prohibits ART. 

jjunne

We are both former Catholics and have found the Unitarian Universalist church to be very open minded and accepting.

orchid32

I am Catholic, and the pope's remarks made me sad.

How naive.

 

Bubs711

I wasn't really sure so I Googled it to see what the Eastern Orthodox Church's stand was.  I found this:

Artificial insemination by a husband (AIH) is not rejected, but artificial insemination by donor (AID) is considered an improper intrusion of a third party in the sanctity of the marital relation. In vitro fertilization is looked upon with great doubt because present methods cause the destruction of numerous human fertilized ova and even developing fetuses; this is still a form of abortion. Genetic counseling and screening cannot be objected to in principle and in fact should be encouraged.

While that's interesting, I'm not planning to stop proceedings with DE to try to have a child.  In fact, this was one small part of a longer laundry list of items on which I, sadly, disagree with the church.  It seems like some religions have not kept up with modern day times.  Maybe the point is that modern times don't keep in holding wiht religion.  Maybe I'm a hypocrite since I call myself an Orthodox Christian yet I don't believe in many of the tenants of the church. 

Anyway, sorry.  This doesn't really answer your question about a religion that's more accepting, and I didn't mean to get so philosophical.  It's just interesting to think about.

Mitzi Bishi

sarahtoledo posted the site a while back. (If you se this, I miss you Sarah!!)

I thought it was really fascinating. 

https://www.ivf-worldwide.com/Education/ivf-global-perspective-religious.html

Someone else brought up an interesting question... what would the catholic church think if the person suffering from IF was also the doctor and thus could not include a "third party".

I know it's all semantics, but it's clearly not black and white.  

LaLe09

ThereBeDragons:

My mom calls the episcopal church "catholic lite" (my whole family is southern baptist but I fell in love with the teachings, ceremony, and tradition of my husband's religion and converted) and I'd recommend going to a service or two and seeing if it's a better fit for your family. Our priest is nothing but supportive and sympathetic to our infertility situation and has no ill words for IVF or other ART.

This was my first thought too- thanks for the info! Glad you have found support with your church.

LaLe09

Mitzi Bishi:

sarahtoledo posted the site a while back. (If you se this, I miss you Sarah!!)

I thought it was really fascinating. 

https://www.ivf-worldwide.com/Education/ivf-global-perspective-religious.html

Someone else brought up an interesting question... what would the catholic church think if the person suffering from IF was also the doctor and thus could not include a "third party".

I know it's all semantics, but it's clearly not black and white.  

 Thanks for the site- it's very informative!!

AmCheri

I can't answer your question directly because I still consider myself Catholic.  To do that, however, I've learned to separate the religion from the men who run the Church.  Perhaps that's a convenient way to compartmentalize, but it works for us. Many, many years ago, I worked for the Church and even then I learned that it's a business like many others with all of the unpleasantries of a business.  So I largely ignore the pontificating religious faction and instead focus on the core doctrinal teachings.

gervaisj6

DH is Catholic-but doesn't go. I know they wouldn't accept it. Actually his parents bought all the donor vials for us. They are Catholic-and.go whenever the doors are open. I am Methodist. We believe in just about everything in moderation.

Carolee

Ruthie04:

DH grew up in the Episcopal church, which we have always found to be very accepting. Presently, DH and I go to a Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). The PCUSA church has specifically addressed IUI and IVF as responsible methods of conception. They go on to say they would oppose any law that prohibits ART. 

We're Presbyterian also (although I stopped going to church after losing Eliott) and they're pretty accepting of IF treatments.

sekura

Seeing topics like this makes me so happy to be an Agnostic.

MelleTX

I too am Episcopalian and feel the church is accepting of the choices Ia m making to get me to motherhood.

Temp556193750005695

We attend an Assembly of God Church and our denomination does not have formal position on ART.  Personally, I've always believed that science complements faith.

lovekatespade

sekura:

Seeing topics like this makes me so happy to be an Agnostic.

DebateThis

We identify as mostly Episcopalian with some UU and Baha'i thrown in for good measure.

We've been very happy in our current Episcopal diocese bc they've been nothing but supportive to gay couples as well as couples building their families through ART.

 

kthappy76

While I know Rome doesn't support ART (among other things), I know that many are supported in their parishes.  It just depends.  Most other religions don't take a stance at all or support an individual's right to build their family as they see fit.  My DH (Hindu) and I (Protestant) don't seek religious counsel when it comes to dealing with medical issues.  Best of luck!