Thanks to modern and state-of-the-art technologies, there are a wide variety of ways for spouses who are not able to have a child inherently. While adoption is regarded as one of the potential options, some spouses are willing to have their biological child. They want to experience pregnancy and have a connection to the child they wish to raise. The surrogacy process is one of the infertility treatments which is effective and useful for having a baby. A third party in this method is known as a surrogate mother, who carries the embryo instead of the biological mother. Although the mounting number of infertile parents are passionate about the surrogacy journey, there are some serious problems. Some religious groups can’t accept this procedure and frown upon it. They believe that there is no way to have a third party in the marriage, and this is not natural.
While religious views vary from one faith to another, in this article, we are eager to talk about surrogacy in Christianity. The reason behind it is that this method is controversial in Christianity.
What does the bible say about surrogacy
Although some people think surrogacy is one of the modern world phenomena and done by state-of-the-art technology, the history of this effective procedure dates back to the bible. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was not able to carry a child for some particular reasons. As a result, she gave her servant, Hagar, to her husband in order to have a child instead of Sarah and they lead a happy life. A woman without children wasn’t accepted then, so doing in this way was common in that era. Nowadays, this way is known as traditional surrogacy. When a mother is not able to use her eggs, specialists find this way effective. But, it is not common these days, instead Gestational surrogacy is gaining popularity among infertile parents.
Hagar and Sarah’s story hadn’t stopped after delivery. We all know that Hagar and Abraham had a son named Ismaeel, and Hagar was supposed to transfer the baby to Sarah as a real mother. But, it wasn’t as easy as it might seem. In traditional surrogacy, the attach between surrogate and baby is inevitable, and this matter couse a lot of pain for parents and surrogate mothers.
Surrogacy in Christianity is not regarded as a sin in the bible, but it raises some complicated questions for parents. In the bible, marriage is considered a holy bond between two people, and children are the fruit of this bond. So, it’s not accepted a third party comes into this circle. In this case, parents should answer some questions before doing this procedure. For instance, who would be the surrogate? Should it be in the baby’s life or not? Should she have a feeling for the baby?
In the bible, children are considered a gift for parents, not right. For instance, some people are wealthy and prosperous, and some others are not. Having a baby is like that. God blesses some couples with babies; others should pray for God to have a baby. After prayerful consideration, couples can do surrogacy as an effective alternative for those who want to have a baby.
Examples of surrogacy in the bible
It is obvious that it wasn’t any infertility treatment in bible era. But we should bear in mind that traditional surrogacy dated back a long time ago. As I mentioned, the best example is Sarah and Abraham, which are famous in most religions. After Sarah became jealous and Hagar didn’t deliver the baby to her, Hagar left them with baby.
Another famous example of surrogacy in Christianity is about Jacob and his wives, Rachel and Leah. Leah had four sons. On the other hand, Rachel was not able to bear a child. She couldn’t stand that situation and offered her servant to his husband to carry a child, and in this way, she could have children. She gave birth to two sons: Dan and Naphtali.
Many Christians with solid faith seek the Gads will regarding the surrogacy journey and reproductive technologies. It is evident that the church is against the surrogacy in Christianity and especially traditional Surrogacy since it is regarded as unfaithful, and it’s hard to make laws and legislation for that. But Gestational Surrogacy by modern technology is not adulterous, and parents use their eggs and sperm. So, can hardly call surrogate mother third party.
What does God say about surrogacy?
Based on whatever the church interprets from the bible, using any infertility treatment like IVF and surrogacy is rated as an immoral act by God. But it raised the question that what is the benefit of science when we are not allowed to use it. According to God’s commands, its Haman’s responsibility to subdue the earth. Christians believe gaining science help subdue the earth. So, we can use science to help infertile parents have their children and suppress the world but based on church we are deprived of doing that. It’s the serious conflict in Christian beliefs.
Do Christians support surrogacy?
Surrogacy is gaining popularity among infertile spouses, and some celebrities, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and popstar Grimes have a baby in this way. Besides celebrities, we should admit that being an infertile spouse is painful, and it’s hard to imagine how they feel. Surrogacy can be a perfect way to eliminate their pain by having a baby. More Christian couples are interested in doing this process. But there is some concern about Surrogacy in Christianity and choosing the surrogate.
The Issue of Being a Surrogate in Christianity
As far as a surrogate is concerned, many factors should be taken into account, from bearing a child to delivery and emotions. But the more critical factor is related to morality. Some people are of the opinion that it is a privileged process and only rich people can afford it. For instance, there is a lot of black and brown surrogate mother who can earn money in this way. Even more than the money they could make during some years. So it raises the chance that western people can exploit the poverty of surrogates for their own needs. Because of that, this process is regarded as an illegal act in some countries. While some wealthy can have a baby in this way, others can’t. But bear in mind that some surrogacy clinics have payment plans, and others like TebMedTourism in Iran can do it with the lowest price.
Parents with solid faith should consider many factors, such as their religious views about this process. Most religions have complicated issues with infertility treatment. It is up to parents to choose their ways. These days, owing to the fact that infertility and IVF treatments are more common among people, some people with a strict religious view are beginning to realize the importance of these procedures for having a happy family and are changing their thoughts regarding this matter.
Religious views on surrogacy
Religious views vary due to the fact that every religion has its own belief regarding surrogacy. In this part, we want to analyze some religious ideas.
Surrogacy in Catholicism:
Although the surrogacy journey is not a new phenomenon, and even in Genesis, we had Sarah and Abraham’s story, this process doesn’t appeal to Catholic Church. In the Catholic Church’s view, the marriage bond is between a wife and husband. Children are gifts from God for the parents, not the third party.
Surrogacy in Protestantism:
Owing to the fact that many different factions of Protestantism exist, there are different opinions regarding the surrogacy procedure. Not only surrogacy but also all infertility treatments are allowed in this religion. The view of This sec of Christianity is more approvable.
Surrogacy in Judaism:
Alongside other religions, there are a wide variety of Jewish factions, and some conservative factions can’t accept the surrogacy procedure. Although some parts can be done through rabbinical supervision, another problematic issue exists. Considering the fact that in Jewish, the heritage is from the mother’s side, surrogacy with an egg donor causes some serious problems, and it is the topic of much discussion regarding surrogacy. Some other factions think it would be the best way for some infertile parents.
Surrogacy in Islam:
Generally speaking, opinions might differ from one faction to another. While some Muslims think surrogacy is a necessary treatment for infertile parents and there is no problem with doing this, some others are of the opinion that the whole process is kind of adultery. Some others advocate this procedure as long as the egg and sperm are from the biological parents. The egg donation is not accepted or can be done under some circumstances in some religious leader’s opinion.
Surrogacy in Buddhism:
Although there is a list of rules for surrogacy in other religions, the story about Buddhism is, to a great extent, different. Fertility is not rated as a moral act and can be done in any way. It is wholly accepted no matter in what way.
Surrogacy in Hinduism:
Like other religions, Hinduism has different views. Generally, the process of infertility treatments is allowed in this religion, and people can do it.
Reconciling Surrogacy with Your Religious Beliefs
Due to the fact that IVF or gestational surrogacy are considered modern technologies and all religions originate from thousands of years ago, nobody can exactly say what the religions opinion about these methods were. You should know that in agencies all the processes are done with the permission of the intended parents and surrogates. Two parties sign an agreement, and it is done ethically. Nothing is done that can be against God’s will. It should be noted that having children is one of the rules in some religious beliefs.
If you are concerned about how your religious faith may affect your surrogacy process, we in TebMedTourism Company can help you. We encourage you to speak to a trusted spiritual leader and other intended parents and surrogates who have been through the same process. There is a chance to find precis experience about surrogacy journey and its challenges when it comes to your religious belief. This process is time-consuming and you have enough time to figure out what you are going to do and its effect on your future and life.
The Process of Surrogacy in Christianity
Surrogacy is not a new technology and is as old as prophets. The first surrogacy journey in history is related to Sarah and Abraham. After that, other people did it. In the past, being an infertile woman was unusual and a source of shame. Consequently, childless women were seeking other women to bear a child for them. Although the bible doesn’t talk about this infertility treatment specifically, some interpret it. Surrogacy hasn’t been banned or forbidden in the bible but raised questions about the morality of the process. For instance, bearing another person’s child in your uterine is ethical or not.
Bible has also been interpreted that children are gifts and some people have a chance to have some children and others don’t have this opportunity. Some individuals find it devastating and heartbreaking for those willing to have a child, while the Gods will is against them.
What does the church think of surrogacy?
With the emergence of new technologies regarding reproduction, many Christians seek the Vatican’s view on this matter. While people were waiting for church answer, On March 10, 1987, the Vatican responded to issuing a 40-page document called “Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation.” That document wasn’t written just for Catholics, it was for all the human kind and rules around the world.
Vatican’s view is against all the processes of infertility treatments, from artificial insemination and embryo transfer to in vitro fertilization. It is also against the surrogacy. The Vatican is also against experimentation on embryos since the aim of this experiment is to abort pregnancy in case of any threat to the embryo or mother. The Vatican has a strict religious view when it comes to abortion. In this situation, they say life begins with conception. Every embryo or fetus has valuable life. They should be respected as human beings. The church believes that there are two purposes to having a sexual relationship. The first one is related to the spiritual and emotional, and the second one is about biological and having a baby. Separating these two is considered wrong. This is the reason why all experimental acts are not accepted by church. They are of the opinion that child has some rights and parents shouldn’t violate these rights. The child should be born in marriage relationship with the sexual cat. Transferring an embryo to a third-party womb is not morally approved, and the child should be born naturally.
This document raised a lot of questions and opinions about surrogacy in Christianity. While some people find it compelling and believe it will raise public awareness about this issue, many distinguished ethicists and moral theologians can’t accept that. When medical interventions are able to tackle infertility problems in infertile parents, it’s a perfect manifestation of the love between them.
On the whole, the church’s view is clear and, of course, isn’t the last opinion. They want to make people aware of the influence of unprecedented innovations on our life. And make us think, before accepting new technology in our life.
Do the techniques used contravene biblical ethics?
The surrogacy journey may involve some other procedures like IVF or egg donation. Should Christians employ these processes?
In the IVF cycle, the number of embryos created is more than planted in the uterus. The others are usually used for research or use later. In the bible, there is no difference between an embryo and an adult person. Based on naming Jesus as embryo and baby Jesus by one word, the Greek word, brephos, it is accepted that embryo is like a human and has feelings after conception. So, it is not morally approved using embryos in another way. When it comes to Biologic, according to some scientists, there is no specific time to tell when the embryo has life. It seems that Biologically and biblically, fetus is considered a human being.
Christian surrogacy in TebMedTourism
While there is a vast array of difficulties in making surrogacy journeys in developed countries due to ethical problems or not approval of surrogacy in Christianity, some Christians are interested in doing this procedure in Iran, especially TebMedTourism Company. Fortunately, many Christian parents have done this process by now and they are delighted with their beloved child. We can help parents to sort out their feeling.
Conclusion
Like other religions, there are many different opinions about Surrogacy in Christianity. While some Protestants accept the whole process of surrogacy, Catholics have a strict religious view regarding this matter.
Nobody can deny how heart-breaking it is for the infertile spouse not to be allowed to have their child, even though many scientifically approved procedures exist. Having your baby helps you to strengthen your relationship. Some people with strong faith are passionate about doing this procedure at the cost of their religion. Some agencies and clinics can do surrogacy for Christians with the best quality, and one of which TebMedTourism Company. Our company is considered one of the leading agencies in surrogacy journeys in the world with affordable prices and the best quality. If you have any questions about this procedure don’t hesitate to ask. Our experts are available to guide you and make your dream real.
