Eastern orthodoxy and birth control

[Reuben_J]

I would add that another big reason, perhaps the biggest, that NFP is approved by the Church is because it works with God’s design in the natural cycle that women go through. And, as you mentioned, can be used just as easily to increase the likelihood of conception as to delay or prevent.

 

[ComeHome2Rome]

Sure but the Church’s definition of birth control is roughly artificial barrier or prevention of fertilization by artificial means. If these methods are employed then they are not allowed. Voluntary abstinence is allowed as it does not infringe upon the said prohibition. That’s how the Church sees it. Of course there are people who disagree but that’s their right of freedom of choice. Catholics have to obey the Church’s sanction nevertheless.

In the Orthodox Church all couples, if use of fertility control is permitted, have the ability to choose from a range of non-abortion causing fertility control methods and use what works best for them as a couple.

In the Catholic Church, all couples have the ability to choose to use fertility control without seeking spiritual guidance, but if they decide to, they may only use the method of abstinence.

Each Church allow freedom, but in different areas.

Catholics may disagree with the freedom given by the Orthodox Church thinking it’s harmful to the couple’s relationship to permit a barrier and Orthodox may disagree with the freedom given by the Catholic Church thinking it’s spiritual harmful for a number of reasons.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

Figuring out when conception is most likely is not problematic. The opposite use (i.e., “spacing out births”), however, should probably be accompanied by spiritual direction, in order to ensure that the goal is not to avoid having children entirely.

I don’t think the Catholic Church disagrees with you here. Obviously I’m not claiming there’s some kind of canonical requirement that a couple wanting to space out births needs to consult their pastor, but it’s certainly preferable.

 

[Reuben_J]

In the Orthodox Church all couples, if use of fertility control is permitted, have the ability to choose from a range of non-abortion causing fertility control methods and use what works best for them as a couple.

In the Catholic Church, all couples have the ability to choose to use fertility control without seeking spiritual guidance, but if they decide to, they may only use the method of abstinence.

Each Church allow freedom, but in different areas.

Catholics may disagree with the freedom given by the Orthodox Church thinking it’s harmful to the couple’s relationship to permit a barrier and Orthodox may disagree with the freedom given by the Catholic Church thinking it’s spiritual harmful for a number of reasons.

I note what you said about Orthodox teaching on this subject. I however can only comment on what Catholic teaches and it is from that perspective I made the clarification. This is not what the thread is asking but nevertheless some posters brought up Catholics into this and thus that needs addressing.

I will not comment on the Orthodox’s reason for allowing birth control if there is any, that is not my business to do so. In the Catholic Church as I said, artificial birth control is not allowed. Caveat would be in a situation where it threatens the life of the mother but even then women who choose to carry on the pregnancy despite the danger to her life is recognized and admired.

The main reason theologically perhaps for Catholic Church to disallow artificial birth control is that life is God’s prerogative and God’s alone so no man can meddle with it. This is obviously very hard teaching to her faithfuls especially with the modern medical technology available. But perhaps when the Church does not compromise on this is because she is very clear on this very important issue.

 

[Ion]

Am I crazy, or are we just splitting hairs here?

Just spliting hairs, don’t worry.