What is anti-natalism?

Definition and Background

Anti-natalism is a philosophical viewpoint that asserts procreation is morally questionable or inherently negative. Its proponents argue that bringing new life into a world filled with suffering does more harm than good. While variations of anti-natalism exist, the central claim is that nonexistence spares a person from life’s inevitable hardships. Historically, this idea has been explored in various secular and religious contexts, including ancient philosophical schools that viewed life’s challenges as futile.

Scriptural Perspective on the Value of Life

Scripture consistently portrays human life as originating from a Creator who imbues every individual with value. Genesis 1:27 states: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” According to this passage, human life is more than a biological function—humanity is divinely crafted to reflect God’s image.

God’s earliest blessing upon humanity includes the charge to reproduce: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). This foundational directive is repeated after the Flood (Genesis 9:1), underscoring that life itself is a gift worthy of perpetuation. Passages such as Psalm 127:3–5 further emphasize children as positive blessings:

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

the fruit of the womb is a reward.”

Engagement with Suffering

Anti-natalists often focus on the reality of pain and suffering, contending that foregoing childbirth spares potential offspring from life’s inevitable hardships. Suffering, however, is recognized within the biblical narrative as part of the fallen world rather than an inherent flaw in creation’s design (Romans 8:20–22). This same text offers the promise of hope and redemption, indicating that present sufferings point toward a future restoration.

From this perspective, the existence of suffering does not negate the goodness of life but reveals the effects of humanity’s separation from God since sin entered the world. Many biblical accounts—such as Joseph’s difficulties in Genesis 37–50—depict hardships that ultimately serve a redemptive purpose. Seen through this lens, life’s trials do not extinguish the gift of existence; rather, they highlight the need for reconciliation and a relationship with the Creator.

Purpose and Calling

In addition to the assertion that children are a blessing, Scripture portrays all humanity as having a purposeful calling. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God “has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” This intrinsic desire for meaning—and the eternal dimension of life—implies that even though life can involve pain, there is a greater purpose beyond immediate suffering.

Throughout biblical accounts, individuals are not only commanded to multiply but also to serve and honor their Maker. Isaiah 43:7 stresses that God created people for His glory, underscoring the significance of each life in fulfilling divine purpose. Seen from this viewpoint, the invitation extends to future generations who may also share in a relationship with the Creator.

Consideration of Human Agency and Responsibility

Anti-natalism often frames procreation as synonymous with forcing future hardship upon another human. Within the biblical text, however, the emphasis lies on stewardship, care, and the teaching of subsequent generations (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). Parents are not merely bringing children into a harsh reality but are called to prepare them for both the temporal and eternal dimensions of life.

Those who embrace a biblical outlook draw on accounts of God’s faithful provision through trials. For example, archaeological and historical studies have long pointed to societies that survived extreme difficulties—famine, war, natural disasters—and nonetheless preserved testimonies of faith and trust in God’s goodness. These records, alongside scriptural examples, suggest that life’s challenges do not diminish the intrinsic worth of bearing and raising children.

Christ’s Redemptive Hope

Central to Scripture’s view of existence is the redemptive work of Christ’s resurrection, affirmed by manuscript evidence and historical analysis. This event is regarded as a validation of life’s ultimate purpose: humanity’s reconciliation to its Creator and the promise of eternal life. Romans 6:5 affirms: “For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.”

The resurrection is presented as the pivotal display of divine power and love that overcomes sin and death—elements often cited by anti-natalists as reasons to abstain from procreation. Instead of seeing human existence as inevitably doomed to suffering, a resurrection-centered perspective understands that hope, life, and restoration are ultimately victorious.

Practical Reflections

Embracing the gift of life does not mean dismissing the weight of pain or grief. Throughout Scripture, individuals wrestle with profound sorrow (Job, Psalms, Lamentations) while simultaneously clinging to a future hope grounded in God’s unwavering nature. A balanced approach acknowledges genuine hardships yet affirms life’s profound meaning.

Furthermore, biblical teachings underscore the community’s role in supporting families, caring for orphans, and ministering to those who suffer. Galatians 6:2 exhorts believers to “Carry one another’s burdens,” highlighting the collective responsibility that stands in contrast to an anti-natalist stance, which often perceives isolation or despair in the face of adversity.

Summation

Anti-natalism posits that life’s adversities outweigh the benefits of existence. In contrast, the testimony of Scripture consistently views each new life as imbued with divine purpose. While the presence of suffering is undeniable, the biblical narrative points to the necessity of reliance on the Creator, the value of each human life, and the future redemption found in the resurrection.

From Scriptural examples to historical and archaeological findings that testify to the endurance of faith communities, and from the consistent message of hope to the command to “be fruitful,” biblical teaching offers a perspective in which bearing children is an act in alignment with God’s design, anchored in the conviction that existence—despite its challenges—ultimately leads to a greater eternal purpose.