The Bible and the Headlines: News You Can Use – Surrogacy

By Editor | February 7, 2024

By David Bachelor, PhD

Due to recent Papal pronouncements covered by the media the public has another moral quandary. Are customers and providers of surrogacy services heroes or villains? Here are a few headlines as you consider your opinion on this subject.

The government of Virginia may not feel all surrogate providers are villains, but some Old Dominion legislators feel the women who conceive children for other people need to be protected by the state. The February 1st Virginia Mercury had the headline, “Va. House Passes Bill Lifting Prohibition on For-Profit Surrogacy Brokers.” The article notes, “Last month, Pope Francis called for a global ban on surrogacy, calling the practice a ‘grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child.’” A legislator who opposed paid surrogacy stated, “There’s a ‘huge power imbalance’ between people looking for surrogates and lower-income women who can meet that need.” Officials who want Virginia to make surrogacy easier tell their constituents the proposed law will give low-income women more choices.

The online version of Salon magazine takes a middle view of surrogacy in their February 4th article, “Pope Francis Isn’t Completely Wrong about Surrogacy.” On the pro side for this source for genesis, the article quotes an NYU ethicist who states, “Surrogates are participating in an efficacious, medically safe process, and thus give one of the most priceless gifts one person can give another.” For some surrogacy participants there is a “price,” and this “uterus-for-hire” aspect constitutes a big negative. Quoting an Al Jazeera report on this practice in the Third World the article notes, “Many surrogates come from poor families, where work in the garment and light manufacturing industries brings in a minimum wage of $170 a month.” Even in the U.S., women who are surrogates usual receive a quarter of the fee while the agency receives the rest.

Among the hero headlines is People Magazine’s February 2nd article, “Clare Crawley Gets Candid About Surrogacy Journey to Welcome Daughter Rowen: ‘She’s Like Family’.” The birth mother is never identified by People which let her surrogate mom be the voice for Rowan’s nativity. The reality star explained, “I want people out there who are dealing with infertility to know there are so many different ways to become a mom and at the end of the day . . . if it wasn’t for surrogacy, I wouldn’t be sitting here holding my baby.” Rowen is the fulfillment of a dream come true for Ms. Crawley.

The Bible has many examples of surrogate mothers. Sarah chose Hagar to be her surrogate when Sarah thought she could not conceive (Gen. 16:2). When Rachel thought she could not give Jacob any children she chose Bilhah as her surrogate (Gen. 30:3). Bilhah had two children for Rachel (Gen 30:7). When Leah thought she could have no other children she chose Zilpah as her surrogate. Zilpah bore two children for her (Gen 30:10 & 12). Leah then had two more children naturally (Gen 30:17 & 19).

The greatest surrogacy story in the Bible is in the Gospels. It involves Mary, the wife of Joseph. The angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luk 1:31-32). Mary wondered how she could conceive since she was a virgin (Luk 1:34). Gabriel told her how her surrogacy would take place, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luk 1:35). There were no financial incentives offered. Mary merely said to the angel, “I am the servant of the Lord; may it be to me as you say” (Luk 1:38).

Even the Pope endorses this kind of surrogacy.

Posted in Lifestyles