In Theory

Q. The mother of the eight babies born recently has been under fire for her decision to have additional children on top of the six she already has. This, combined with the fact that her financial situation is questionable at the moment, has raised serious ethical questions. What do you believe are the moral and ethical implications of her actions? And from your faith’s point of view, what covenant, if any, could she have violated?

This is what I believe Jesus would say about this situation:

 “Let the one among you who has never made a bad decision cast the first stone” (John 8:7).

 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned” (Luke 6:37).

 “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your [sister’s] eye” (Matthew 7:5).

And, very loosely paraphrased:

 Get a life, this doesn’t concern you.

We Episcopalians stay out of other people’s bedrooms (unless we’re being cutely mischievous) and, by extension, their reproductive decisions. Whatever our personal opinion might be, we do our best not to turn it into a religious cudgel.

We also do our best to stay out of the reactionary fray of these times. There are real things to worry about in the world, and real work to do within our own souls, without working up a froth of melodrama about one individual’s private actions.

Worry, if you will, about the availability of good health care for mothers and children; worry about the increased impact of poverty on the youngest members of our population; worry about the fact that our churches have no sacramental rites for parenthood; worry about the dwindling availability of public mental health resources.

Get worked up about whatever baby-and-parenting causes you want, and then speak and vote and work to change them. But leave this poor woman alone.

 AMY PRINGLE is rector of St. Geroge’s Episcopal Church in La Cañada. Reach her at (818) 790-3323, ext. 11.