Q. Several religions include a decree that humans should increase or multiply in some way. For example, Genesis in the Bible says, 'Be fruitful and multiply.' Does this mean an increase in spiritual followers, an increase in wisdom or that humans should have many children? What do you think?

At the time this story originated, the Earth had a great capacity for human beings and survival was challenging. So, this likely encouraged continued existence. But I don't believe it's a command for every person to procreate; rather, this decree shows God empowering humans to act with a similar creative capacity in a multitude of ways, in order to increase beauty and goodness.

In the same scripture in Genesis, humanity is also called to nurture and care for all of creation.

Tara Macy, lay servant

First United Methodist Church, Redding

According to the Torah, God empowered fishes and birds to 'be fruitful and multiply' before empowering humans to do the same. It's not likely that those words were intended to have two different meanings. In the likeliest meaning, the biblical words charge all living things to propagate within the limits governed by nature.

Animals reproduce when nature provides adequate habitat, food and water. Humans propagate with little consideration of their ability and environment to support their offspring. They have children for emotional reasons, self-serving reasons and cultural reasons. Genetically, they only need to assure they have enough heirs to continue their lineage. Parents can never know what their children may accomplish. Assuredly, when their children have children, they have continued their genetic line. The need to propagate is seldom driven by logic or heredity.

George Wandrocke, chaplain

Temple Beth Israel of Redding

The Bible reference cited was given to Adam and Eve to have children. It doesn't necessarily mean that all people are to have children. Certainly our planet is well populated now, over populated in reference to demands on resources and environmental impact.

It's impossible and dangerous at times to take a single passage and apply it without reference to a whole teaching. The life of Jesus was about love and balance. Is it loving and in balance for me to have children? Is it loving and in balance for my world to have a child or children? Is it loving and in balance to demand more than resources can provide?

The Rev Lynn E. Fritz

Centers for Spiritual Living, Redding

That particular passage in Genesis refers to God's blessing of increasing in numbers. After all, there were but two to start with, right? Certainly today with the fall of man, it's the desire of God that we all return to him and that by the way of the cross. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and gave us the instruction to do the same. Gaining in knowledge and wisdom by studying the Bible will increase our ability to reach out to everyone that will listen. After all, as Christians, our job is to populate heaven.

Jim White, lay leader

Weaverville Church of the Nazarene

In the beginning, it was clear that the number of humans was few and that we were all encouraged to 'be fruitful and multiply.' Up to the year 1900, we barely totaled 1 billion people on the planet. Since then, however, it has been logarithmic growth to a current 7.5 billion people. Advances in nutrition, agriculture, trade, medicine and reductions in isolation of people have assisted that growth materially. Currently, we are still growing exponentially although advanced first-world countries are near to achieving zero growth rates. As education and women's rights grow stronger, it's clear that fewer children are born and the quality versus quantity of life has improved. The challenge for cultures and religions is now to adapt to this new reality. Everyone deserves a life free from want, disease and slavery. We all realize today that the capacity of the Earth is no longer unlimited.

Deacon Mike Evans

Sacred Heart Church, Anderson

The instruction to have many children is common for a very good reason — since the majority of people adhere to the faith tradition they were raised in, increasing its members' reproductive rate grows the religion in the easiest way possible. However, the downside of this unbridled population growth is that there are already more than 7 billion people on Earth, and that number just keeps growing. The Earth's ability to provide food and resources to so many already has been exceeded. Moreover, huge families aren't good on an individual level, either. When families have fewer children, the children and mothers are healthier. The children are typically better educated, achieve more and live longer. The rational approach, then, which humanists advocate, is to limit the number of children one has.

Elisabeth Steadman

Humanist Celebrant, American Humanist Association

The scripture where it says go forth and multiply has a deeper meaning to me than just the physical reproduction of the human race.

To me it also means all of the other attributes as well — the spirituality of followers and their spiritual development.

Multiply all of the senses that we have as human beings because scripture doesn't say that the human being had all of the senses that we have now experienced. When you multiply, you cause the growth of our senses and cause us to grow as human beings. Taste, smell, feelings, touch and the ability to use our intelligence — let those senses grow and develop.

Imam Abu Bakr H. Salahuddin

Islamic Center of Redding

Next week's question: Do you think animals have a soul or an afterlife?


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