Then they came for the Amish ...

[steve-in-kville]

Yet, the state will retract its prohibition on marriage provided both partners are over the age of sixty-five, or are younger but can prove infertility.

I know of a situation like this. Old enough that no one cared.

I think it is still immoral.

Yeah, kinda. They were cousins. Neither his church or her church would marry them.

[Josh]

Personally I don't think for most people that marriage is a bright line that prevents or allows them to have sex.

And this is, essentially, a consequence of widespread birth control.

God’s design and plan for man is that men and women should be married to each other before having children. And God’s design is also that sexual activity, generally speaking, results in having children.

It is a sign of a godless, immoral society when these obvious biological realities are ignored and attempted to be removed.

[steve-in-kville]

God’s design and plan for man is that men and women should be married to each other before having children. And God’s design is also that sexual activity, generally speaking, results in having children.

I agree with Josh's comment here. That said, and I am half joking yet half serious, what about when the wife's biological clock runs out? Should a couple stop sexual activity?

I welcome any and all comments on this....

[Szdfan]

God’s design and plan for man is that men and women should be married to each other before having children. And God’s design is also that sexual activity, generally speaking, results in having children.

I agree with Josh's comment here. That said, and I am half joking yet half serious, what about when the wife's biological clock runs out? Should a couple stop sexual activity?

I welcome any and all comments on this....

Or couples that are infertile?

[mike]

God’s design and plan for man is that men and women should be married to each other before having children. And God’s design is also that sexual activity, generally speaking, results in having children.

I agree with Josh's comment here. That said, and I am half joking yet half serious, what about when the wife's biological clock runs out? Should a couple stop sexual activity?

I welcome any and all comments on this....

Or couples that are infertile?

Do we really need to do this, gentlemen? Most of the time, sexual activity does not result in a pregnancy. Sexual activity that does not result in pregnancy is not by definition unethical. Pleasure, joy, and fulfillment in marriage is also one of the purposes of sexual activity. What is unethical is sexual activity outside of marriage as defined by God.

[steve-in-kville]

Do we really need to do this, gentlemen? Most of the time, sexual activity does not result in a pregnancy. Sexual activity that does not result in pregnancy is not by definition unethical. Pleasure, joy, and fulfillment in marriage is also one of the purposes of sexual activity. What is unethical is sexual activity outside of marriage as defined by God.

I'm respectfully trying to make a point. There's many urban (rural?) legends when it comes to conservative anabaptists and their beliefs and values toward human sexuality. I was trying to bring that to light and be amusing at the same time.

It was either too much coffee or not enough that fueled my question

[mike]

Do we really need to do this, gentlemen? Most of the time, sexual activity does not result in a pregnancy. Sexual activity that does not result in pregnancy is not by definition unethical. Pleasure, joy, and fulfillment in marriage is also one of the purposes of sexual activity. What is unethical is sexual activity outside of marriage as defined by God.

I'm respectfully trying to make a point. There's many urban (rural?) legends when it comes to conservative anabaptists and their beliefs and values toward human sexuality. I was trying to bring that to light and be amusing at the same time.

It was either too much coffee or not enough that fueled my question

It's fine. I was only responding to the half serious part of the question!

[Szdfan]

Do we really need to do this, gentlemen? Most of the time, sexual activity does not result in a pregnancy. Sexual activity that does not result in pregnancy is not by definition unethical. Pleasure, joy, and fulfillment in marriage is also one of the purposes of sexual activity. What is unethical is sexual activity outside of marriage as defined by God.

I'm respectfully trying to make a point. There's many urban (rural?) legends when it comes to conservative anabaptists and their beliefs and values toward human sexuality. I was trying to bring that to light and be amusing at the same time.

It was either too much coffee or not enough that fueled my question

It's fine. I was only responding to the half serious part of the question!

I think most of us recognize that sex has a number of purposes and it's not just about procreation. But it's always fun to tell Josh that he's wrong.

[Ken]

I'm respectfully trying to make a point. There's many urban (rural?) legends when it comes to conservative anabaptists and their beliefs and values toward human sexuality. I was trying to bring that to light and be amusing at the same time.

It was either too much coffee or not enough that fueled my question

It's fine. I was only responding to the half serious part of the question!

I think most of us recognize that sex has a number of purposes and it's not just about procreation. But it's always fun to tell Josh that he's wrong.

In Josh's church do the bishops monitor women's menstrual cycles and only allow sex during the fertility window from 5 days before ovulation until the day after? And then only if no birth control is being used?

[nett]

It's fine. I was only responding to the half serious part of the question!

I think most of us recognize that sex has a number of purposes and it's not just about procreation. But it's always fun to tell Josh that he's wrong.

In Josh's church do the bishops monitor women's menstrual cycles and only allow sex during the fertility window from 5 days before ovulation until the day after? And then only if no birth control is being used?

afaik, Josh's church doesn't have an official teaching on birth control.

Also, your arguments are dumb, and you know it. There is obvious difference between sex as God intended it, and trying to actively prevent conception, while still getting all the carnal benefits of the act.

Ken, do you advise your daughters to be on birth control?