Discussing contraceptives, but leaving out Religion

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As to the use of contraceptives in Africa, a good question to ask is what is the objective? Is the objective to eradicate HIV or to reduce the instances of HIV? The use of condoms only reduces the instances and does not put a program in place that would eradicate HIV.
 
There are 3 reasons that I can think of that are non-religious to be used to argue against the use of artificial contraceptives:
  1. for women, there are physical/medical consequences. Many seem to think these are insignificant. But when compared with the alternative (abstinence) they become significant because there are no similar side effects or medical consequences to abstinence. So if I were conducting a cost/benefit analysis abstinence would win. Abstinence has fewer medical and monetary costs and better benefits than artificial contraceptives. It even has a higher success rate!
  2. The contraceptive mindset is one of mediocrity. Instead of doing everything possible to attain the highest possible ideal, well, just settle for what is the easiest.
  3. contraception promotes selfishness and lack of self-control. Even without a moral code, the idea that sex should be on-demand centers around the pursuer and their immediate needs.
 
How about this one.

Birth control makes the body malfunction. Medicine tries to make the body function biologically correcty.
 
Although religious beliefs have much support on why contraceptives are wrong, how can I address the issues that do not deal with religion? For example, what if an Atheist proposed “So, if people are going to have sex, we should at least lower the risks, right?” or “well, no intelligent person would argue against the use of contraceptives in Africa, unless you bring in Religion.”

Although religion is an important aspect of the evil that is contraception, the evilness of contraceptives can be explained in other ways, in addition to the religious aspect. Can anybody help me with this?
Sure, use Natural Law. The nature of sex is both for procreation and for the bonding of husband and wife. When sex is used just for recreational purposes, i.e. recreational sex it becomes an act of selfishness instead of and act of selflessness. It is designed to be a total self giving of oneself to another. When something is withheld from the other, fertility or the seed it affects the act and also the relationship. On a very subtle level it sows the seeds of selfishness instead of selflessness into any relationship. It is both phsycological and physical.
 
Sure, use Natural Law. The nature of sex is both for procreation and for the bonding of husband and wife. When sex is used just for recreational purposes, i.e. recreational sex it becomes an act of selfishness instead of and act of selflessness. It is designed to be a total self giving of oneself to another. When something is withheld from the other, fertility or the seed it affects the act and also the relationship. On a very subtle level it sows the seeds of selfishness instead of selflessness into any relationship. It is both phsycological and physical.
Not trying to be a wet blanket, but none of these arguments are the least bit persuasive to a non-Catholic. Steve40’s comes closest, but that’s because it is the religous/moral argument of the Church recast without mentioning the Church (which I’m sure was intentional).

I go back to what I said earlier, if you want to covince someone of pretty much anything, it is generally best to include the arguments that convinced you in the first place.

I’m sure the person you are talking to knows your real reasons for rejecting contraception are moral ones. If you try to convince them they are medical, or based on secular social policies, the other person will know you are being disingenous and remain unconvinced.

My advice is to make Steve40’s argument. If they find that unconvincing, you are unlikely to convince them that all the OB/GYNs in the world are wrong, and you are right.
 
I go back to what I said earlier, if you want to covince someone of pretty much anything, it is generally best to include the arguments that convinced you in the first place.
What convinced me was that my mother (who used birth control for most of her adult life) is the only woman in my family to have had cancer - several times. She is also the only woman in our family ever to have used birth control. I suspect a correlation.
 
Not trying to be a wet blanket, but none of these arguments are the least bit persuasive to a non-Catholic. Steve40’s comes closest, but that’s because it is the religous/moral argument of the Church recast without mentioning the Church (which I’m sure was intentional).

I go back to what I said earlier, if you want to covince someone of pretty much anything, it is generally best to include the arguments that convinced you in the first place.

I’m sure the person you are talking to knows your real reasons for rejecting contraception are moral ones. If you try to convince them they are medical, or based on secular social policies, the other person will know you are being disingenous and remain unconvinced.

My advice is to make Steve40’s argument. If they find that unconvincing, you are unlikely to convince them that all the OB/GYNs in the world are wrong, and you are right.
Good points. I was converted while praying/protesting out in front of an abortion clinic. When people see the killing for what it is and then see the connection between contraception and the killing, they develop a hatred for the killing and the contraceptive mentality that feeds it.

If someone can’t see something wrong with killing inocent children I don’t believe there is much hope of seeing something wrong with contacepting. It is a significant hardness of heart. But, where humanity sees no hope God converts hearts. Pray, it is the only way.
 
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