Contraception and Catholics vs others

[debraran]

One comment and question about contraception and other religions. Why are Catholics the only religion that really deny’s contraception? Other Christian religions allow it and Judaism also. Even Hasidic Orthodox Jews (which make up a lot of my neighborhood) allow the pill (vs barrier methods) in certain instances. I think this is why so many people have trouble with it, why our religion interprets that area so strongly.

I was told in my Catholic pre-cana to use my conscience, that if having numerous children or if my irregular cycles would cause too much stress, to do what I had to do, but was told NOT to use the pill because of the chemicals. I came back fully to the church a few years ago,over 10 years after my last child, but at the time if we had more than 3 children, I would of loved them but the stress from it and my husbands attitude would of put my marriage in very shaky ground. That is another reason to be very careful when you get married,

 

[debraran]

One comment and question about contraception and other religions. Why are Catholics the only religion that really forbids contraception? Other Christian religions allow it and Judaism also. Even Hasidic Orthodox Jews (which make up a lot of my neighborhood) allow the pill (vs barrier methods) in certain instances. I think this is why so many people have trouble with it, why our religion interprets that area so strongly.

I was told in my Catholic pre-cana to use my conscience, that if having numerous children or if my irregular cycles would cause too much stress, to do what I had to do, but was told NOT to use the pill because of the chemicals. Things to vary by church and priest/deacon and I think this subject will always be a bone of contention for many.

 

[mercygate]

One comment and question about contraception and other religions. Why are Catholics the only religion that really deny’s contraception? Other Christian religions allow it and Judaism also. Even Hasidic Orthodox Jews (which make up a lot of my neighborhood) allow the pill (vs barrier methods) in certain instances. I think this is why so many people have trouble with it, why our religion interprets that area so strongly.

I was told in my Catholic pre-cana to use my conscience, that if having numerous children or if my irregular cycles would cause too much stress, to do what I had to do, but was told NOT to use the pill because of the chemicals. Things to vary by church and priest/deacon and I think this subject will always be a bone of contention for many.

This position is not “versus.” Get Christopher West’s book, Good News about Sex and Marriage. Also give yourself an education in Natural Family Planning. “Using your conscience” means having a well formed conscience. Nothing "varies by church and priest/deacon when it comes to the actual teaching of the Church.

Yes: it will be a bone of contention for those who choose to view this as negotiable. It is not. Following Church teahcing on this will be the greatest blessing you can enter into with your spouse.

 

[debraran]

I agree, but I have never heard why we differ. I know why the church thinks it is unbending, but why do others read the same things and not agree? I just wanted to learn more about why we are so alone on this issue. I was surprised to learn that the Hasidic Jews who love God and spend hours a day studying the bible, still saw an avenue to use if certain things presented themselves. Just curious, I understand our teaching, if I married someone different, it would of been easier, but I just never really understood the strictness of it, even when a woman was ill.

 

[mercygate]

I agree, but I have never heard why we differ. I know why the church thinks it is unbending, but why do others read the same things and not agree? I just wanted to learn more about why we are so alone on this issue. I was surprised to learn that the Hasidic Jews who love God and spend hours a day studying the bible, still saw an avenue to use if certain things presented themselves. Just curious, I understand our teaching, if I married someone different, it would of been easier, but I just never really understood the strictness of it, even when a woman was ill.

The restriction is not against avoiding pregnancy. The restriction is against obstructing, perverting, or thwarting a “natural human act of intercourse.”

GET CHRISTOPHER WEST’s BOOK! Trust me: it will completely answer all of your questions in an easy Q&A format.

Did your pre-Cana mention *Humanae vitae? *This is the papal encylical that reaffirmed the consistent teaching of ALL Christian bodies from time immemorial. The first Christian body to permit artificial contraception was the Anglican Communion at the Lambeth Conference of 1930.

 

[hasikelee]

One comment and question about contraception and other religions. Why are Catholics the only religion that really forbids contraception? Other Christian religions allow it and Judaism also. Even Hasidic Orthodox Jews (which make up a lot of my neighborhood) allow the pill (vs barrier methods) in certain instances. I think this is why so many people have trouble with it, why our religion interprets that area so strongly.

I was told in my Catholic pre-cana to use my conscience, that if having numerous children or if my irregular cycles would cause too much stress, to do what I had to do, but was told NOT to use the pill because of the chemicals. Things to vary by church and priest/deacon and I think this subject will always be a bone of contention for many.

The history and information on this topic is rich and filled with many details. Which avenue do you want to explore?

History? Historically, all major religions forbade contraception.

Catholic History?

Science?

Ecumenism?

Reasons not to contracept?

Other options available for responsible parenting?

There’s just so much…what are you specifically looking for?

 

[debraran]

When did that come out? We were married in the 80’s, Pope John Paul ll was our pope of course and I remember the deacon saying, “he’s not raising your children or paying for them”. Sounds tough now, I wince, but at the time, we were told what the church taught and about conscience. Abortion was taught strictly though.
When I hear stories given of a woman that let herself die having another child, using NFP (doesn’t always work of course) and her 5 children being raised by the husband, etc. and they are doing well, that doesn’t happen always. Sometimes families break apart, go bankrupt, don’t have extended family, etc. There are so many examples that would contradict every story someone gives to the opposing view, I think facts work better.I will look at his book, I’ve listened to him on TV, etc. but again, on TV he never explained why interpretations differed. I have teenage children that believe in no sex before marriage, etc. but are caught up on this issue and maybe this will help.

 

[hasikelee]

I was told in my Catholic pre-cana to use my conscience, that if having numerous children or if my irregular cycles would cause too much stress, to do what I had to do, but was told NOT to use the pill because of the chemicals. Things to vary by church and priest/deacon and I think this subject will always be a bone of contention for many.

Also, you were not fully informed. Oral contraceptives that tighten the endometrial lining of the uterus may cause early abortions.

 

[debraran]

I know most religions didn’t want couples to contracept (although times change things ) but I wanted to know why exceptions are made for everyone but Catholics. Do they feel abuses would be too rampant? I think the reason most familes do use something is fear…and the stress of not knowing if it worked this month. I know couples that use it but most of them don’t care if they get pregant, it just would be better if it were a few months from now, etc. To be in a postion of being very ill or your kids being motherless if you got pregnant, I wouldn’t trust NFP alone, it would be too scary. I would be at best abstain probably most of the month and pray my husband would be understanding.

 

[AnglicanVisitor]

I’m an Anglican married to a Roman. All I can tell you is that we have some issues in our marriage. We do raise our child Roman.

 

[dylanschrader]

The Catholic Church recognizes the immorality of contraception because it is immoral. I don’t know why other religions believe what they do.

The Catholic Church, though, has a consistent moral teaching and cannot compromise for the sake of convenience or even for more serious reasons. It is a principle of the moral law that we may never do evil even so that good may result.

Especially in regard to the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of marriage, there are values which the Church knows both from the natural moral law and from her Lord which she has the duty of upholding and which, through the special assistance of the Holy Spirit, she will always uphold.

 

[andzy]

I cannot speak for the Jews, but up to 1930s every more or less major Protestant denomination taught that contraception was immoral and sinful. Since then almost all of them have leaned towards the understanding of the world, and many have “progressed” and accepted abortion, homosexuality, even extra-marital sex.
So, the answer to your question why the Catholic Church is the only teaching it, is that all others have forsaken it.

 

[briang72]

The Catholic Church recognizes the immorality of contraception because it is immoral. I don’t know why other religions believe what they do.

The Catholic Church, though, has a consistent moral teaching and cannot compromise for the sake of convenience or even for more serious reasons. It is a principle of the moral law that we may never do evil even so that good may result.

Especially in regard to the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of marriage, there are values which the Church knows both from the natural moral law and from her Lord which she has the duty of upholding and which, through the special assistance of the Holy Spirit, she will always uphold.

Excellent answer

 

[Mirror_Mirror]

The Catholic Church recognizes the immorality of contraception because it is immoral. I don’t know why other religions believe what they do.

The Catholic Church, though, has a consistent moral teaching and cannot compromise for the sake of convenience or even for more serious reasons. It is a principle of the moral law that we may never do evil even so that good may result.

Especially in regard to the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of marriage, there are values which the Church knows both from the natural moral law and from her Lord which she has the duty of upholding and which, through the special assistance of the Holy Spirit, she will always uphold.

I agree that this is a great answer. I just wanted to add that the Church holds true to the teaching that God has given us the gift of sex. Why should we twist and turn that gift into something that we want it to be? Why do we try to play God? What makes us think that it is up to us to decide when we have children by using contraception?

I think that the Church’s stance on contraception is just another way that she shows that she will not back down just to please others and that makes me honored to be a Catholic. To know that those values that are the core of the Church will not be compromised. It is a foundation built upon rock, not sand.

 

[FCEGM]

I know most religions didn’t want couples to contracept (although times change things ) but I wanted to know why exceptions are made for everyone but Catholics. Do they feel abuses would be too rampant? I think the reason most familes do use something is fear…and the stress of not knowing if it worked this month. I know couples that use it but most of them don’t care if they get pregant, it just would be better if it were a few months from now, etc. To be in a postion of being very ill or your kids being motherless if you got pregnant, I wouldn’t trust NFP alone, it would be too scary. I would be at best abstain probably most of the month and pray my husband would be understanding.

But who is making the exceptions? Certainly not the Catholic Church. If many outside the Church choose to practice birth-control they do so because they are not in communion with the Church and thus are not instructed properly and also because of the influence of today’s culture (that plays a BIG part). For those in the Church it can also be that they were not instructed properly (witness the deacon’s statement in your earlier post) and have likewise succumbed to the relativistic thinking rampant in our culture. Since the Church has and teaches the fullness of Christ’s Self-revelation, why would you not expect that those outside of that fullness would find exceptions for themselves? And why would you not expect to find some - even many - inside the Church to have forged their own path away from embracing its fullness? Our Lord was abandoned by many, His Church is not exempt from the same treatment.

 

[1ke]

Why are Catholics the only religion that really forbids contraception?

This is the wrong question. The right question is why have all the other Christian denominations abandoned the unified teaching that contraception is a violation of the moral law. The moral law does not change, therefore those who abandoned the teaching are the ones that must answer “why”, not the Catholic Church which teaches no differently today than 2000 years ago.

I was told in my Catholic pre-cana to use my conscience, that if having numerous children or if my irregular cycles would cause too much stress, to do what I had to do,

I am sorry that someone would tell you such a lie.

 

[1ke]

I know most religions didn’t want couples to contracept (although times change things ) but I wanted to know why exceptions are made for everyone but Catholics.

When the Reformation happened, basically the Reformers taught against the Priesthood, the hierarchy of the church, the Magesterium. They taugh error, and the worst kind of error-- the error of Sola Scriptura. Cut from the anchor of Sacred Tradition and the Magesterium these churches were cast adrift. Each ‘personal interpretation’ of a pastor inserted new error into the Protestant system.

Luther would turn over in his grave at much of the modern-day Lutheran church teachings. Same for Calvin and others. They all taught the same thing the Catholic Church teaches regarding contraception.

The error entered their systems gradually.

Do they feel abuses would be too rampant?

No. They don’t understand why it’s wrong, mostly because they’ve not been properly taught it’s wrong. They also lack a properly theology regarding the purpose of sex.

I recommend the book The Bible and Birth Control by Charles Provan, which takes an indepth look at this issue.

I think the reason most familes do use something is fear…and the stress of not knowing if it worked this month.

I disagree. Contraception has a failure rate too.

This culture has a hatred of self-sacrifice. It has a hatred of children. It has a love of self and a love of things. And, most of the contracepting people in this country are unmarried. Contraception is about having sex for the pleasure of sex. It is not-- in marriage or out-- about sex as God designed it.

 

[debraran]

I think even the church says you can judge for yourself what size family to have. For Pete’s sake, you can’t say every woman has to have 10 children and not work, etc. (although I wouldn’t mind if my husband could afford it) Even in my mom’s day she said it was a misconception of many, that women wanted large families, many had no choice and weren’t cut out for it. Some women have tons of patience, loving husbands, extended families, some have limited patience, no real “mommy gene” as someone put it, a selfish husband and no family close by or alive. Some also deal with later in the marriage, alchohol abuse, domestic abuse, bankruptsy, lay offs, the list goes on. I saw parents scream at their kids all day because they couldn’t deal with the stress. In an “ideal” world, without any extras, you could say, “leave it to fate”.

I had 3 children, a husband with a decent job, stayed home for many years, then worked at a low paying but convenient office job. Sent my kids to catholic school until 8th grade (then it was way too much $$) never took any vacations, no plane trips, disney (that’s sad) or any real extras, but the catholic schooling meant a lot to me. Through changes in jobs, etc. any more children would of made it very tough. For me it was worth it, but for some, they wouldn’t of called it “living”. It’s hard to judge what others do.

 

[Writer]

I cannot speak for the Jews, but up to 1930s every more or less major Protestant denomination taught that contraception was immoral and sinful. Since then almost all of them have leaned towards the understanding of the world, and many have “progressed” and accepted abortion, homosexuality, even extra-marital sex.
So, the answer to your question why the Catholic Church is the only teaching it, is that all others have forsaken it.

Correct…It was the Anglican Church’s Lambeth Conference of the 1930s that really got the ball rolling on contraception. Margaret Sanger’s *Pivot of Civilization *gives us a major insight into what these people really want. For a chilling read, see the introduction by H.G. Wells.

Fortunately, some Protestant medical ethicists like Dr. Amy Laura Hull are starting to catch onto to the moral similarity between birth control and abortion. Others are also starting to realize the demographic harm its inflicted on the Western World.

Sadly, many Catholics don’t seem inclined to take the teachings of their own church seriously on this topic. Not too long ago, my wife and I gave a talk to a group on our conversion story. It was clear that a number of people were not comfortable with our conservative views on birth control, and some of their comments were pretty disheartening. Apparently we struck a nerve, so I guess that’s good.

 

[debraran]

Thanks for the info, I found a few sites about the conference, one that had an intro with the below paragraph:
1958 Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops Resolution 115

The Family in Contemporary Society - Marriage

The Conference believes that the responsibility for deciding upon the number and frequency of children has been laid by God upon the consciences of parents everywhere; that this planning, in such ways as are mutually acceptable to husband and wife in Christian conscience, is a right and important factor in Christian family life and should be the result of positive choice before God. Such responsible parenthood, built on obedience to all the duties of marriage, requires a wise stewardship of the resources and abilities of the family as well as a thoughtful consideration of the varying population needs and problems of society and the claims of future generations.