The Catholic Position On Birth Control

[Ashley]

I am very ignorant on Catholic teachings on Birth Control and I was wondering if I could get many different opinions from various people.

It is an issue we are discussing a lot in class, and one professor referred to the "rigid and rather outdated moral teachings of the Catholic Church on birth control".

I would appreciate any input you are willing to give me!

[Livin_the_MASS]

[b]Birth Contol is a sin.[/b] A married couple have to be open to life. Why is it sinful, well it could be explained alot of ways, for one God commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and muiltply.

Birth Control is used for selfish reasons, to have sex whenever you want without having to worry about having a baby.

The marital union was made to share love and the fruit of that love is the one flesh is your children.

I suggest a book by Christoper West, he covers this issue very well.

[Aloysius]

all Christians believed contraception was sinful and abominable until in 1930 the protestants opened the door and fell further and further away from the moral truth about contraception.

yeah, Christian Morality dictates that all sex must be open to the possiblity of God creating life through it. It is the sacred beautiful act of participating with God in the creation of Human life.. simply amazing.

If you want the Catholic teaching on such issues check out the Papal Encyclical Humanae Vitae [url="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html"]http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/...e-vitae_en.html[/url]

[phatcatholic]

also, go [url="http://phorum.phatmass.com/index.php?showtopic=6081"][b]here[/b][/url] and check out the section on "Contraception"

[Livin_the_MASS]

Ashley I quoted this sometime back on Christoper West's book:


[quote][b]"When we understand the prophetic meaning of the marital union between a married couple as a sacramental sign, the serious contradiction of contraception becomes clear. Loving union between a man and women is meant to proclaim to the world that God is life-giving love. An intentionally sterilized act of relations between a married man and woman proclaims the opposite: God is not life-giving love. Contraception turns a loving union between a married couple from a prophetic act into blasphemy.
Futhermore, if the husband is to be a true symbol of Christ in the 'one flesh' union, then he must speak the language of Christ: "This is my body which is given for you" (Lk 22:19). But a contracepted act of a union between a married couple declares: 'This is my body not given for you.' In this sense, the contracepting husband acts not as Christ but as an anti-Christ.

And if a wife is to be a true symbol of the Church in the 'one flesh' union, then she must speak the language of the Church (as a symbol of Mary):"Let it be[done]to me according to your word"(Lk 1:38). But a contracepted act of union between a married couple declares: 'Let it not be done to me according your word.' In this sense, the contracepting wife acts not as the Church but as an anti-Church

An intentionally sterilized act of love between husband and wife, rather than being an efficacious sign of Christ's one flesh union with the Church, is an efficacious countersign of this union (an anti-sacrament). Contraception turns a love union between a married couple from a sacrament to sacriege.

This, and nothing short of this, is what's at stake. This is why contraception is wrong, and not only wrong, but grievously wrong."[/b][/quote]



Big Problem, Big Witness.
I was reading Chistopher West's book and came across this. I cleaned up a little (made it more proper to post). Needs to be said though. The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth!!

God Bless You

Oh ya the book has a "Imprimatur". Thats important to me.

[Ashley]

[quote name='Jason' date='May 18 2004, 03:57 PM'] I suggest a book by Christoper West, he covers this issue very well. [/quote]
Can you tell me the title please?

[Paladin D]

I would like to add, [b]Birth Control[/b] (the act) is not a sin. The pill which is labeled [b]Birth Control[/b] is. For example, when faithful Catholics space out their births using NFP, that's a form of [b]natural[/b] Birth Control.

[Livin_the_MASS]

Sorry duh

[b]"Good News about Sex and Marriage

Answers To Your Honest Questions About Catholic Teaching"[/b]

By: Chistopher West

God Bless
Jason

[amarkich]

I have to make a correction on a previous statement. Spacing pregnancies is not a valid reason to use Natural Family Planning. Natural Family Planning was approved for very strict cases (I believe there were six that we listed as acceptable). This has turned into another girl Altar Boy fiasco. The difference is that even the conditions which were given for girl Altar Boys were erroneous. The reasons for girl Altar Boys were at Convents and girls schools where there were no men to serve. Since its inception there has been such an abuse that only two Dioceses in the United States do not allow girls to serve at regular Masses! This is the future of Natural Family Planning because 1) people are uninformed to the fact that there are very specific cases when it can be used and 2) people are unwilling to submit to authority (even though the few couples that practice NFP are generally the best Catholics). God bless.

[Paladin D]

[quote name='amarkich' date='May 18 2004, 06:30 PM'] I have to make a correction on a previous statement. Spacing pregnancies is not a valid reason to use Natural Family Planning. Natural Family Planning was approved for very strict cases (I believe there were six that we listed as acceptable). This has turned into another girl Altar Boy fiasco. The difference is that even the conditions which were given for girl Altar Boys were erroneous. The reasons for girl Altar Boys were at Convents and girls schools where there were no men to serve. Since its inception there has been such an abuse that only two Dioceses in the United States do not allow girls to serve at regular Masses! This is the future of Natural Family Planning because 1) people are uninformed to the fact that there are very specific cases when it can be used and 2) people are unwilling to submit to authority (even though the few couples that practice NFP are generally the best Catholics). God bless. [/quote]
So spouses are only allowed to have sex, when they want to have a child?

[dUSt]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='May 18 2004, 04:46 PM'] So spouses are only allowed to have sex, when they want to have a child? [/quote]
No, they can use NFP for specific reasons, but not simply because they don't want to have kids.

[Livin_the_MASS]

You use NFP to help space children if you feel that need or to help you have one, for those who have that problem, but you are still being open to life using NFP, you still leave it open to God to decide without using some drug to try to solve your problems or for your own self satifactions.

So I wouldn't call NFP a form of Birth Control because you are still being open to life working along side with God putting it in His hand.

[Ashley]

Thank you very much.

[Paladin D]

[quote name='dUSt' date='May 18 2004, 06:50 PM'] No, they can use NFP for specific reasons, but not simply because they don't want to have kids. [/quote]
I didn't say NFP was to be used for those who don't want to have kids. But to help space out births, so you won't have 50 children running around in your home.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='May 19 2004, 08:33 PM'] so you won't have 50 children running around in your home. [/quote]
AHHH!!!!!!! :freak:

Sorry, I was up late last night with the ONE infant that I have... (I love babies... just need sleep...)