September 20, 2009 by Stacy McDonald
Just Another Mouth to Feed…
Watch the trailer for part 1 (Demographic Winter) here:
And part 2 (Demographic Bomb) here:
Both documentaries deal with rapidly falling birth rates and their consequences for humanity in the 21st century. In part 1, Demographic Winter, we heard from demographers, sociologists, economists, and historians on the demographic crisis confronting us. While Demographic Winter examined the results of the birth dearth, its sequel, Demographic Bomb, focused on the false assumptions that have led to it, as well as the history behind the deception.
Barry McLerran, producer of both documentaries, commented:
“Demographic Bomb explores the history of the modern population-control movement—how it persuaded the public that there are too many people in the world, and how these fallacies became institutionalized…Demographic Bomb shows what happens when countries comprising 80% of the world’s economy have plummeting numbers of workers, consumers and innovators – leading to falling consumer spending, and too few workers to support the elderly.”
“Organizations, institutions, governments and the United Nations manipulated and coerced families, evaded political accountability, and violated basic human rights to achieve their population-reduction agenda.” Matthew Connelly of Columbia University
The Demographic Bomb exposes the mass marketing campaign that has indoctrinated several generations and interviews experts from many different fields. The documentary includes an “interesting” interview with Paul Ehrlich of Stanford University, author of the 1968 best seller, Population Bomb, the book which popularized the myth of overpopulation.
“We must have population control at home, hopefully through a system of incentives and penalties, but by compulsion if voluntary methods fail.” – Paul Ehrlich
Sounds similar to some of the ideas set forth in John Holdren’s (Obama’s Science Czar) 1978 co-authored book, EcoScience where, in response to the “population bomb” theory, he entertained thoughts of forced abortion and forced sterilization (even to the point of “adding a sterilant to drinking water or staple foods” p. 787).
“Indeed, it has been concluded that compulsory population-control laws, even including laws requiring compulsory abortion, could be sustained under the existing Constitution if the population crisis became sufficiently severe to endanger the society.” – John Holdren, p. 837
I encourage everyone to watch Demographic Winter and Demographic Bomb. While I don’t share the producer’s fear for the future of mankind, I do see problems on the horizon. You can read more thoughts at Bring on the Babies, Quiverfull Defined, or Why Western Civilization Must Learn to Procreate or Perish.
In an editorial review of the secular book, Empty Cradle by Phillip Longman the following is noted:
“Overpopulation has long been a global concern. But between modern medicine and reduced fertility, world population may in fact be shrinking – and is almost certain to do so by the time today’s children retire. The troubling implications for our economy and culture include: The possibility of a fundamentalist revival due to the decline of secular fertility.”
Interesting. Some of them are noticing we’re multiplying—and they’re afraid.
Interestingly, while God’s people were slaves in Egypt, the Egyptian Pharaoh made the same observation as Mr. Longman and he grew fearful. In Exodus chapter 1 we read:
“But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we…”
Of course, when Longman speaks of the “troubling implication” of a “fundamentalist revival” he is not simply referring to Christians; he’s referring to any religious group that is having children—lots of them. But, the fact remains: another demographer is noticing that secular folks (and Christians who think like them) are shrinking in numbers.
Birth control, homosexuality, abortion, and women pursuing careers rather than marriage all contribute to the declining birth rate. Rather than view children as the blessing Scripture tells us they are, they are seen as “just another mouth to feed,” or as a burden that gets in the way of our personal goals.
This article isn’t meant to be an argument over the individual morality of birth control. This is much bigger. How Do You View Children? I ask because it matters.
Just think about it. If we lovingly welcome Covenant children into our homes; if we train them up in the way they should go; if we train them to work hard and love God with all their hearts; and if our marriages are functioning as He designed…just imagine.
And if our children grow up and do the same in their own future families—what do we see—what are we doing? We’re multiplying generations of children who love and glorify God—children who will make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:19), winning the lost with a strong and truthful testimony of God’s grace and power. Both by evangelism and by gaining and keeping the hearts of our children – children that we’ve welcomed from the hand of God, we’re going to impact the world for Christ in a mighty way.
What say ye, Christian?
Similar Posts:
13 Responses to “Just Another Mouth to Feed…”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
That's interesting. I don't remember where I saw it but I think Russia is offering incentives to parents who have children now. I think I heard of a man getting a new car for free just because he and his wife had a baby.
When you look at the cities and think of all the pollution that cities emit….and factories….then it makes sense that we need to take better care of our earth. Just because we have dominion doesn't mean we should abuse it.
Definitely in certain areas there are over population problems….but that seems to happen in undeveloped countries. It's the Western countries that are now going to face under population problems…..China may be facing their own problems too very soon.
Forced abortions is like something out of a horror story. I hope and pray that it may never come to that in our country. It most certainly has already come to that in other countries….such as China.
That's quite amazing. I was born in '53 and grew up during the baby boom, when many families inour country had a lot of children. By the 70's, when I had married, everybody was afraid of the population bomb and that billions of people would die of starvation (in addition to global cooling). We were taught, even in church, that the kindest, noblest thing we could do was limit our families so that there would be enough for everybody. Even in church, we were taught that from Adam and Eve onward, we had fulfilled the "be fruitful and multiply" to the nth degree and had actually overdone it — no need to overdo it some more. Leave some food, etc., for everybody else. Children were a blessing, yes, but not to the point where we overdid it and killed everybody off by starvation. That's what we were taught. Too late for our generation now. Hard to change the mind-set. Anyway, stunning films. I saw "Demographic Winter" some time ago. Looking forward to watching "Demographic Bomb." Funny to see these scientists retracting their beliefs.
I am looking forward to watching those films when I am able. I find changeable-ness of prevailing thought as in this instance to be absolutely fascinating. When one looks back through the generations, one can see that what is considered "true" and "good" according to the world is in a constantly evolving state. Thank God we have His word to help us to know what is really true and good?
Sarah, you are correct – Russia does indeed have a child-compensation program, however they are admitting that it isn't working.
It's an interesting study in culture, because as Stacy is saying, it's really a heart-matter. Paying people to have children can only be effective for so long, because raising children isn't about $$$. On the other hand, paying people to NOT have babies (gov't funded abortions), is more than detrimental to women emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
The films are absolutely eye-opening. Well worth the few dollars that they cost. We invite folks over specifically to watch them! :-)
Mrs. McDonald,
I am so glad this is going around. I actually have spoken through Phillip Longman through email recently and the man knows his stuff. My husband and I are praying that the Lord converts that man! He is an atheist from what I understand, and in watching him in other presentations has a noticeable burden over the information about the demographic crisis and fertility decline.
I am actually doing a research paper on this very topic in my Environmental Health class in college, and I am sure you can guess…my view points on this topic are not popular. It seems like the mere mention that Thomas Malthus was in error, or that Dr. Paul Ehrlich's book "Population Bomb" is also wrong, causes people to become extremely defensive…even Christians! Phillip Longman told me in an email recently that basically Dr. Ehrlich has admitted to him personally that the problem isn't an overpopulation of humans, but of cars! So the man who caused much fear in the 70s is singing a different tune.
The logic would go that if Darwin and Malthus are correct, then those of us who know the truth and take the Adamic Commission literally, then we will eventually breed all of the Darwinist and Malthusians out.
Sarah is right in what she says. Russia's population is declining at 700,000 people a year, and China has recently started going through a process of doing away with the one-child-per-family policy.
Crystal <><
I can not wait to see these movies. I will say I know a lot of believers who are having larger families. I live on a small airforce base in South Korea. We have 5 children 8 and under and we are one of many. Seeing a family with one or two children is not as common as the families with 3 or more. I have to say it is nice to be one of the many. We all know the comments we receive with more than 2 kids. I am enjoying being around women who want to have babies. Thank you for your encouraging blog. Christy
Not everyone who isn't quiverful views children as a burden. I think large families are great, but personally don't have the resources to have a large family (more than 2-4 kids) in the world today. But any children I have will be welcomed and loved.
But then again, perhaps this quiverful movement is a different brand of Christianity and its followers would prefer I don't have too many children since I have slightly different beliefs (ie. have a job, use BC, went to public school, dated, etc. etc.)?
Being a Christian was soooo less confusing before the internet!!
to the poster above – being quiverful means having a great deal of trust in the Lord that He will know what family size is best for you and that He will give you the means to provide for that family. it means relying on the Lord 100% – something that a lot of people, including christians likes yourself, are not willing to do. by having the mother work outside the home and using birth control to prevent children you are showing a lack of trust in the Lord for true provision.
sending your children to public school is a whole other can of worms but i dont see how any christian can send their children into a godless institution which denounces Christ at every turn and expect their child to do well. they spend more time in this environment then they do with their families so who do you think has the influence?
Tami,
I think we need to be careful of judging the motives of others. There are people who do trust God, but have been taught all their lives that the "responsible" and "right" thing to do is to limit their family size. They believe they are doing the right thing. While we can disagree with their conclusion, we can't judge their motives.
Thank you, Stacy. That's been a concern of mine.
Stacy, this is a great article. I appreciate the way you present it, in a way that challenges our thinking and encourages us. May the Lord continue to bless you.
Thank you for bringing this to more people's attention. This seems so obvious…kill babies, and we won't have as many "consumers" — you'd think the secular people would care about that?! One thing we at home can do is talk to our children about how wonderful it is to be a mother, a parent, a family. What a lovely joy it is. No one ever communicated that to me and I delayed giving birth until age 36. Even as a baby Christian at age 33, I didn't understand and put off having our first child till our 3rd. anniversary.
Just wanted to let you know that James Dobson interviewed a man on this very topic in the late 80's early 90's. I was still a child, but I remember thinking how sad it was that people didn't like babies enough to keep up the population. He said at that time in order to care for the elderly and keep up with taxes, people would have to reproduce at a rate of 4.5. At that time, the average level was at 2. You can see there was a considerable gap even 20 years ago.