Abstinence

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Is sexual abstinence, as a way to avoid pregnancy in a married couple, biblical? or othewise supported by the church?
 
This is exactly what natural family planning is: periodic abstinence from sexual intercourse during fertile times when a couple is not trying to conceive a child at that particular time. (Or the reverse, to have sex during those fertile times to increase the probability of conceiving.)

There is no reference to this sort of family planning in the Bible because the science of understanding of a woman’s monthly fertility cycles is a very recent field of knowledge, and also because families in biblical times tended not to view children as a liability to be kept down to a reasonable number, but as an asset that would provide for the family’s future, the more the better.

If used properly, periodic abstinence as a method of natural family planning is accepted by the Church today.
 
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

**2370 **Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality.
 
Leopard said:
This is exactly what natural family planning is: periodic abstinence from sexual intercourse during fertile times when a couple is not trying to conceive a child at that particular time. (Or the reverse, to have sex during those fertile times to increase the probability of conceiving.)

There is no reference to this sort of family planning in the Bible because the science of understanding of a woman’s monthly fertility cycles is a very recent field of knowledge, and also because families in biblical times tended not to view children as a liability to be kept down to a reasonable number, but as an asset that would provide for the family’s future, the more the better.

If used properly, periodic abstinence as a method of natural family planning is accepted by the Church today.
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I am soory for not being so clear, I am referring to permanent abstinence instead of periodic abstinence
 
Well, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: 2368 “…for just reasons, spouses may wish to space the births of their children. it is their duty to make certain that their desire is not motivated by selfishness but is in conformity with the generosity appropriate to responsible parenthood…”

It goes on with “When it is a question of harmonizing married love with the responsible transmission of life, the morality of the behavior does not depend on sincere intention and evaluation of motives alone; but it must be determined by objective criteria, criteria drawn from the nature of the person and his acts, criteria that respect the total meaning of mutual self-giving nad human procreation in the context of true love; this is possible only if the virtue of married chastity is practiced with sincerity of heart.”

I’m assuming this means we can’t give you a definitive answer unless we know why you’re trying to avoid pregnancy. One could argue that because you cannot properly support another child you abstain and I think that’s okay, but if you’re doing it because you think kids are a burden, well… I talk too much.:o
 
gureyes said:
I am soory for not being so clear, I am referring to permanent abstinence instead of periodic abstinence
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Well, that is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible because the general attitude of families in those times was to try to have as many children as possible in the hope that some would survive to adulthood and provide for the security and continuation of the family.

Mary and Joseph lived continently during their entire marriage, but this is not stated explicitly in the Bible. It is stated that they had not had relations before Jesus was born (Matthew 1:25), but does not say anything about whether they had relations afterward. The Church’s teaching on the perpetual virginity of Mary is based on oral Sacred Tradition.
 
What are your reasons for not desiring to have children? Is there a health problem involved? Or just mere convenience? Because the latter not only is selfish, but goes against God’s reasons for marriage, namely pro-creation. If there is a health problem, then by all means employ natural family planning. You can go to www.ccli.org for more information.
 
Leopard said:
Well, that is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible because the general attitude of families in those times was to try to have as many children as possible in the hope that some would survive to adulthood and provide for the security and continuation of the family.

Mary and Joseph lived continently during their entire marriage, but this is not stated explicitly in the Bible. It is stated that they had not had relations before Jesus was born (Matthew 1:25), but does not say anything about whether they had relations afterward. The Church’s teaching on the perpetual virginity of Mary is based on oral Sacred Tradition.
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Mary was given over to the Lord’s service at a young age, meaning she became a temple virgin. Temple virgins were not allowed to engage in sexual intercourse, etc. However, they were often allowed to marry to help widowers care for children from a previous marriage, and as a means of income for the temple. So chances are Mary never had relations with Joseph. This is why the Church holds the teaching on the perpetual virginity of Mary.
 
SchonGirl1 said:
Mary was given over to the Lord’s service at a young age, meaning she became a temple virgin. Temple virgins were not allowed to engage in sexual intercourse, etc. However, they were often allowed to marry to help widowers care for children from a previous marriage, and as a means of income for the temple. So chances are Mary never had relations with Joseph. This is why the Church holds the teaching on the perpetual virginity of Mary.
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This is one Traditional belief about Mary. It has not been defined by the Church as official teaching, but Catholics are permitted to believe this, possibly with the exception of the part about these sorts of marriages being used to raise money for the Temple.
 
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