Toto

You're right that original sin, which can only be atoned by the blood of Christ, is a Christian concept. But the Jewish scriptures still explain the pain of childbirth as being caused by Eve's disobedience to God.

Gen 3:16

lunachick

I always thought motherhood was proof that you've had sex.

[ December 05, 2002: Message edited by: lunachick ]</p>

Darkblade

This was classic. And, sadly, seems true.

Rousseau_CHN

"but most mothers in the world do not believe in God, or at least not in the same God."
<img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" /> <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" /> <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" /> <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" /> <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" />

That is a very good argument in itself, Toto. If you stop there I still would be wowed by your argument.

Before modern medicine, Childbirth was the leading cause of death...it only goes to show that science and technology have made life better for everyone. If only, half as much credit would go to it.

Amos

Could it not be argued that if childbirth was the leading cause of death that very few males and females would die from other causes?

As I understand it most females in those days were are able to survive a virtually unassisted childbirth because their mothers did and this is still true for many animals today.

LLaurieG

People tend have a strange, irrational attachment to both their children and their religions, said George Carlin. Yeah, what you can reply to a remark like that while still maintaining the spirit of a lighthearted social gathering is limited.

Perhaps some equally lighthearted and humorous reply:
• "I've heard you can't give birth and not believe in the power of anesthesia."
• "You might be right. I've heard that during sex, Muslim wives yell 'Oh Allah! Oh Allah!'"
• Dunk that ball o' thought right back in the Almighty's court: Muse, "I've always thought it was pretty wierd for a so-called Intelligent Designer to make childbirth be so excruciatingly painful for half of humanity. Glad I'm not your gender!"

[ December 15, 2002: Message edited by: LLaurieG ]</p>

Toto

The original statement was that childbirth was a major cause of death for women (not the leading cause of death for all persons of whatever sex and age). Most women survived, or course, but it was still a risky business.

Amos

Obviously, childbirth was not the leading cause of death in males but if it was the leading cause of death more females died from childbirth than any other cause of death in males or females.

quote:
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Originally posted by Rousseau_CHN:
Before modern medicine, Childbirth was the leading cause of death...it only goes to show that science and technology have made life better for everyone. If only, half as much credit would go to it.
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B. H. Manners

I've been told having a baby will make you want to curse God!

frostymama

I will admit that when my fist was born I started searching earnestly to discover how I felt about religion (and I eventually ended up here). When you have a kid there is this overwhelming desire NOT to screw them up for life. Everything just seems more important... including religious beliefs.