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Surogates? - Pastors and Scholars Please Read and Advise


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I haven't ever really studied on this and would appreciate it if anyone has any scripture they could point towards to give direction on this one.

I have recently had some interest in the idea of women serving as surogate mothers for "test tube babies" for those who have problems either conceiving and/or carrying a child. Seems as though it would be a very great gift and blessing to help someone have a child who's body won't seem to allow it. My question is, is it right to take part in this practice or is it just another way for us to try and "play God"?

Again, this is a very sincere question. So, please, if you have any scriptural guidance on this matter, it could really help a family in my church out. Thanks.

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I don't have Scripture really against it. I do not know how I feel about it ethically.

The main thing I have against it is that it is VERY hard for the surrogate mother. I knew one lady online who was a surrogate mother and when a woman carries a child, it is physically attached to her, which becomes an emotional attachment whether the mother likes it or not. Even though its not her "cells", it still feels like her baby....and it is an extreme emotional strain on the surrogate mother to carry and bear a child and then give it up.

Yes it does pay well....but I can't see how its healthy psychologically.

I can't help with the ethics though...I"m kinda torn on that part.

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I don't have Scripture really against it. I do not know how I feel about it ethically.

The main thing I have against it is that it is VERY hard for the surrogate mother. I knew one lady online who was a surrogate mother and when a woman carries a child, it is physically attached to her, which becomes an emotional attachment whether the mother likes it or not. Even though its not her "cells", it still feels like her baby....and it is an extreme emotional strain on the surrogate mother to carry and bear a child and then give it up.

Yes it does pay well....but I can't see how its healthy psychologically.

I can't help with the ethics though...I"m kinda torn on that part.


This situation would not include money or any other kind of pay (which I think would be completely immorral - selling your body).

So what if a woman was wanting to do it just so that a friend who has tried for years on their own could have a child?
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It would be a wonderful friend who would be willing to carry a child to term and bear the baby, with all the possible complications, for her friend who couldn't have a baby. It would be so hard to give up the child that grew within her!

I don't know that I see a major ethical problem with it, if it's not done for pay (I know of many situations that are just for $$).

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I actually don't see a difference in motive.... its the same thing whether a favor or for pay.

I think its a very noble thing to do....just extremely hard on the surrogate mother. And from the surrogate I talked to online (we were on a list together while I was pg with my fourth) she never knew how hard it would be until she actually had the baby...and it was HARD. The surrogate needs to be prepared for that.

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I actually don't see a difference in motive.... its the same thing whether a favor or for pay.

I think its a very noble thing to do....just extremely hard on the surrogate mother. And from the surrogate I talked to online (we were on a list together while I was pg with my fourth) she never knew how hard it would be until she actually had the baby...and it was HARD. The surrogate needs to be prepared for that.


Well, that all depends....I've known people who do it just for pay (I know one who didn't actually "surrogate," but agreed, for a large fee, to have a baby for a sodomite couple :gross: ).

I think there would be a major difference - being paid makes it employment. Doing it because you care for someone and want to help them seems to me to be different.

Yeah - that's what I was meaning in my earlier post...after carrying the baby to term, and then having to give the baby up. Even if I could physically carry the babe (which I can't), I would be devastated to give it up.
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Well, that all depends....I've known people who do it just for pay (I know one who didn't actually "surrogate," but agreed, for a large fee, to have a baby for a sodomite couple :gross: ).

I think there would be a major difference - being paid makes it employment. Doing it because you care for someone and want to help them seems to me to be different.

Yeah - that's what I was meaning in my earlier post...after carrying the baby to term, and then having to give the baby up. Even if I could physically carry the babe (which I can't), I would be devastated to give it up.



Well to me, the physical action of carrying someone else's baby is either right or wrong. So its either okay to do (free or paid) or its not okay to do (free or paid). So my feeling on it is that if its ok, then it doens't matter WHY you do it.

I never really thought about it until I "met" that one surrogate mom and she shed SO many tears over the entire process. It was paid but also for a closer acquaintence/friend. And then at the end there was the problem of her kind of wanting to have a small part of the babies (twins) lives as they grew up, but the parents feeling a little bit threatened as they did not want the babies having any sort of "second mom". It was hard for everyone.

So if I ever had to counsel someone on it...I would say...that its a HUGE psychological risk but if they think they can handle it...bathe it in prayer AND sign contracts, paid or not. There will be medical bills due and possible complications, possible risks to the baby, etc. You don't want lawsuits or broken friendships.
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couple :gross: ).
I never really thought about it until I "met" that one surrogate mom and she shed SO many tears over the entire process. It was paid but also for a closer acquaintence/friend. And then at the end there was the problem of her kind of wanting to have a small part of the babies (twins) lives as they grew up, but the parents feeling a little bit threatened as they did not want the babies having any sort of "second mom". It was hard for everyone.

So if I ever had to counsel someone on it...I would say...that its a HUGE psychological risk but if they think they can handle it...bathe it in prayer AND sign contracts, paid or not. There will be medical bills due and possible complications, possible risks to the baby, etc. You don't want lawsuits or broken friendships.


I totally agree with this!!! It should be a matter of much prayer and real thought before it's agreed to.
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31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

Gen 29:31 (KJV)

2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

Gen 30:2 (KJV)

22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

Gen 30:22 (KJV)

2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

Ex 13:2 (KJV)

These are just a few verses of which I came up with quickly, I think they would be many more that could be applied here.

I have not studied a bunch about this, but I have often thought about it.

Is it God who opens and closes the womb?

Is a new born baby a gift from God. I believe it is?

This is much different than people just taking medicine for treatment for what even problem or sickness they may have.

To me, I feel man is truly trying to play God.

Perhaps God had a reason for some women not to have babies, He certainly had His reason for closing and or opening some wombs. Yes, I know some will say if that is true nothing man tries will work. I think that is bad reasoning. Men does many things that are against the will of God without Him intervening.

I just don't believe the child of God ought to do such stuff, I just don't believe it would be right in sight of God when He is the giver of life and it is He who the Bible teaches that opens or closes a womb.

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I would personally tend to agree with Jerry on this issue. Essentially, Abraham and Sarah tried to use Hagar as a surrogate mother in the OT and that didn't work out to well. Granted, this isn't exactly the same thing, but I think it is a little to close for comfort.

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Thanks for that Jerry, good insight. I think I'll have to agree with you here. The more I think about it the more I realize, that while it is a very tough pill to swallow, too often we allow something we shouldn't due to emotions. These are very emotionally charged situations (as has been shared on another current thread), and what we can see (and really is) a caring act, can actually be undermining God's authority. I think the best place to advise these people to stay is on their knees, not at the clinic.

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It's very interesting the timing on this thread. I have a Christian friend that has been contemplating this exact thing. She would get paid but her true motivation is to be a vessel the Lord uses to bless other Christian families with a child when they can not conceive their own. She and her husband have been praying about it to know if God would bless this.

I personally think that it is a beautiful gift one Christian woman can give to a Christian family. Children are such a blessing. I don't think I could carry a child for 9 months and then give them to another person but I have known people that have and they just feel blessed to be part of something bigger then them.

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It's very interesting the timing on this thread. I have a Christian friend that has been contemplating this exact thing. She would get paid but her true motivation is to be a vessel the Lord uses to bless other Christian families with a child when they can not conceive their own. She and her husband have been praying about it to know if God would bless this.

I personally think that it is a beautiful gift one Christian woman can give to a Christian family. Children are such a blessing. I don't think I could carry a child for 9 months and then give them to another person but I have known people that have and they just feel blessed to be part of something bigger then them.


Just tell her it sounds way easier than it is....and its psychological torture. If she can deal with psychological torture, then maybe she can pray about doing it.
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