How the Pope’s Hypocrisy and Accusations of “Selfishness” Have Lost Him His Audience
What do Pope Francis and Elon Musk have in common?
He’s only gone and said it again!
It’s been 7 years since his last verbal attack on the childfree. Yet despite the backlash last time, his remorse is nonexistent.
In a general audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis opened his mouth and allowed the world to see his disconnect with reality.
He said: “Today … we see a form of selfishness. We see that some people do not want to have a child. Sometimes they have one, and that’s it, but they have dogs and cats that take the place of children. This may make people laugh but it is a reality.”
I haven’t heard of a single person who ached for children, was able to have them, but opted for pets instead. There are other factors at play in this decision-making process. Like, I don’t know — not actually wanting children! I’d say that’s a good enough reason for starters.
The Pope goes on to describe keeping pets as: “a denial of fatherhood and motherhood that diminishes us, takes away our humanity.” He continues with “having a child is always a risk, but there is more risk in not having a child.”
Wow, so let me get this straight.
A man, who is not a parent is trying to guilt-trip the world into having more children. The pets part is just a red herring.
A childfree man who is the head of a large religious organization, which does not allow its monks and nuns to parent children, calls others selfish for forgoing children. Or, god forbid — for having fewer children than he thinks you should have!
Tell me, Pope Francis. All these people you are trying to convince to have children or to have more children. Are you going to help financially? Are you going to babysit? Are you going to support them when they are at their wits end emotionally, physically, and psychologically?
What’s his motivation behind such ridiculous comments? I have a sneaky suspicion I know, you may agree or disagree, let’s discuss.
Is It Selfish To Choose a Life Without Children?
Before we get to the crux of his intentions, let’s get one thing straight.
It is not selfish to choose to forgo children, in as much as it is not selfish to have children. Alternatively, if we want to adopt the line that it is selfish not to have children, well, by that same logic, it is selfish to have children.
The Oxford dictionary defines “selfish” as: “lacking consideration for other people; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure.”
Whether I have children should be irrelevant to anyone else. In actual fact, it would be selfish of another (ehm — yes I’m talking to you ex-mother-in-law!) to expect someone who does not want children, to have them. Moreover, this does not bode well for any unwanted children.
The reasons people give for not having children vary. And let me tell you, when you don’t have children, everyone wants to know why! But get this, we don’t need a reason. Nor do we owe anyone an explanation. I don’t ask parents to explain their reasons for reproducing!
But, to quench your nagging curiosity — I just don’t want children. Plain and simple. Perhaps we should concern ourselves more with why people do want children.
You know what would be top on the stupid list for having a child? “the Pope said I should.”
Some people reluctantly sacrifice parenthood, when they don’t feel they can provide adequately for a child. This may be financially, physically, emotionally, or psychologically. They may even have hereditary health issues, which they don’t want anyone else to suffer with.
These people are putting the welfare of an unborn child before themselves. That is not selfish!
Ask any parent why they have children, I guarantee the answers will start with: “I wanted …” gasp, oh how selfish!
But actually, my point is this. It is not selfish to choose a life for yourself. It is not selfish to know what you want in life and seek it out. Whether you choose to have children or not to have children, you are not selfish. Parents and non-parents (by choice) are both following their own desires, by this merit one choice can’t be selfish and the other virtuous!
But you know what is categorically selfish when compared with the definition above? Shaming people who don’t have children. Humiliating people who don’t have enough children! It is abhorrently selfish to criticize the choices of others to try and manipulate them into choosing a lifestyle you want them to choose.
So, you know who the selfish one is in this whole situation? It is not the childfree or the parents. It is Pope Francis!
Why Did Pope Francis Say This?
He is afraid.
Livescience tells us there are currently over 1 billion Catholics around the world. The Catholic population has tripled in the last century.
Population growth is slowing for a myriad of complex reasons. Economics, the impact of climate change, and the general state of the world are impacting our choices and ability in terms of reproduction.
The positive changes worldwide with contraception, better gender equality, and improved female rights have helped cast reproduction and child-raising as a choice, as opposed to an obligation.
And with all this, if you were the head of the Catholic church. If you were the leader of one of the largest patriarchies in the world. All these rights of the modern world would discombobulate you too.
How dare women not fulfill their mothering role!
If you were a single, childfree man at the head of a misogynistic organization, you too would amplify the message of “do not do as I do, but do as I say!” You too would use humiliation, shame, and ridicule in a desperate bid to prevent the drop in your congregation numbers.
If you were the Pope, you would also be living in fear.
So again, let me be abundantly clear. Pope Francis doesn’t give two hoots if you want children or not. He doesn’t care what sacrifices you may have to make to have more children. He doesn’t care if you would be a good parent, nor does he care if the child thrives or not. This is a numbers game. He wants you to have children, or more children, for his own self-interest and the interest of his church.
So What’s This Got to do With Elon Musk?
Ahhh, so you noticed my subtitle, did you? Well, I’m glad you asked.
It’s the numbers game! The desire to increase population, as opposed to try and stabilize it or reduce it. This is where Elon Musk and the Pope are similar.
Recently Elon Musk, who was voted Time Magazine’s person of the year, used this opportunity to encourage people to have more babies. He said:
“One of the biggest risks to civilization is the low birth rate and the rapidly declining birth rate. And yet so many people, including smart people, think that there are too many people in the world and think that the population is growing out of control.”
Is he insane?
The population of the world has more than doubled in the last century. Our planet can not sustain this exponential growth. We are killing ecosystems and nature. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. The wealth gap is echoing.
So, why would Elon Musk say this?
Oh yeah, he is at the top of a pyramid scheme and needs more worker ants and consumers to buy his products. But of course, self-interest! Much the same as the Pope.
Well, I would rather listen to scientists and natural historians such as Sir David Attenborough and Dame Jane Goodall.
Both Sir Attenborough and Dame Goodall are vocal about the need to control and reduce our population growth. Whilst Elon Musk and Pope Francis call for more babies, those who have the interests of people and the planet at heart, are calling for fewer babies.
Sir David Attenborough who is a patron of Population Matters, said: “The human population can no longer be allowed to grow in the same old uncontrolled way. If we do not take charge of our population size, then nature will do it for us and it is the poor people of the world who will suffer most.”
You choose, are you team Pope and Musk? Or team Attenborough and Goodall?
Live Your Own Life
I don’t follow the Catholic church. So luckily his words bear no influence on me. But, if you are Catholic and feel afflicted by his words, please be kind to yourself. Shake off the shame. Release your anger and frustration and rid all negativity from your psyche. Live your life in keeping with your own intuitions. Parenthood is a choice.
You can admire the Pope and revere him for his work whilst still rejecting these words. You do not need to worship him absolutely. None of us is perfect.
Now might be a great time to head out to your local animal rescue. You know, just in case Pope Francis tries to introduce some wacky rule that you can only get a pet if you have at least 5 babies first.
Oh — and one last thing. To those who are childless by circumstances, I’m sorry for the grief and trauma this man’s words may have caused you. You are not “diminished” by not being a parent. You are a beautiful person as you are! Whatever stage you are at on your childless journey, I hope you have found peace.
So, to parents and the childfree around the world. Do not let the Pope divide us even more. Let’s celebrate our differences and accept that we all find happiness and meaning in different ways. Humanity is found in compassion. Compassion to ourselves, our neighbor, the planet, and our animals. There is a place for us all. Remember, all God’s creatures have a place in the choir. We just live at different frequencies.
Thank you for reading. If you are interested in reading more of my childfree articles please click here Ali Hall
Nina Jervis and The Pleasure Anarchist have both written excellent pieces on this same topic, enjoy.
