How do catholic women or men justify their consciences with using contraception?

[Frank_Drebin]

You are right and I would fall into that category in this case. That is why will not ask forgiveness. However, there are those who will judge me even though God tells them not to, and still ask for His forgiveness. Is that better?

When someone is discussing matters on a public Catholic message board, it assumed they want others to know about their personal lives, or to voice an opinion. Otherwise, they’d not be posting. We lose the right to be left alone when we take our sins to cyberspace.

And given that there can be hundreds or thousands of people at any given time, lurking and looking for answers, we are called by the Church to make sure our sisters and brothers are not led astray by what others post. That isn’t judging you as a person, but protecting others from making serious mistakes. It is done out of love for our brothers and siuster and for Christ’s teachings.

You seem to be projecting guilt and defensiveness, since no one has been judgemental at all. No one attacked you are judge you, as it has been a rather calm, reasoned discussion. And you have said two or three times now that people should stop judging you, and pointing to the bible to defend that point. Yet how can you look to God’s word to defend yourself from being judged when you ignore it in a case of your own personal choices? We can’t pick and choose when to be obedient, nor all we called to be obedient just when we have a perfect understanding of God’s teachings.

You have simply stated that you know what the Church teaches and choose not to obey. You find NFP too difficult or unreliable. You could abstain from sex in this case, but you apparently choose not to. And you have asked for forgiveness, though you haven’t stopped the behavior, which makes true absolution extremely difficult unless one is an addict.

None of that is judging you as a person, just stating facts as presented.

 

[shelby_sun]

Shelby,
I am sorry that you are so angry with me but I wanted to point out where your thinking was misguided not only for your sake but for the many people who will read your post and may be lead astray. That would not be good for you or for them. Jesus is your judge not me. Funny how people who know they are wrong always throw that at you in their defense. Jesus did ask us to go and sin no more. He expects us to help our brothers and sisters by pointing out where they are going wrong. It is called catechesis by the Catholic Church and it is to help you not hurt you. Your post was quite bold and needed correction. I am sorry if it offended you but you needed to hear it. That is not judgement, it is kindness. Trust in God. Faith comes before understanding.

I am not angry with you, and there are people here judging, you can call it what you like, but some are. That is fine. I prayed over this and spoke to a priest and came up with the same answer. I will not ask for forgiveness because I willing went against the church’s teaching. I do not promote using contraception and my post was to merely give an answer to the question, not lead anyone astray. I am sorry if you got offended.

This is one issue that I think has lead more people away from the church than any other. That does not mean I think the church should changed it s teaching on this issue, but it will have to face the fact as generations go on this might become more of a problem. I am ready to face God with my decision and willing take whatever comes.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I am not angry with you, and there are people here judging, you can call it what you like, but some are. That is fine. I prayed over this and spoke to a priest and came up with the same answer. I will not ask for forgiveness because I willing went against the church’s teaching. I do not promote using contraception and my post was to merely give an answer to the question, not lead anyone astray. I am sorry if you got offended.

This is one issue that I think has lead more people away from the church than any other. That does not mean I think the church should changed it s teaching on this issue, but it will have to face the fact as generations go on this might become more of a problem. I am ready to face God with my decision and willing take whatever comes.

Boy oh boy. All I can say is…

Never mind, there’s really nothing I can say.

 

[KellyPalmer]

As Christians, it is our duty to judge our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is our duty to address them when they promote their deadly sins. We are all a part of the Body of Christ and it is out of love that we can’t sit back and not care when someone condemns themselves.

 

[shelby_sun]

You have simply stated that you know what the Church teaches and choose not to obey. You find NFP too difficult or unreliable. You could abstain from sex in this case, but you apparently choose not to. And you have asked for forgiveness, though you haven’t stopped the behavior, which makes true absolution extremely difficult unless one is an addict.

None of that is judging you as a person, just stating facts as presented.

I am sorry if this comes across as defensive but you need to g back and read my post because you have misspoken twice here on things I said.

1 I never said I though NFP was to difficult or unreliable for me. We had to use it to try to get pregnant and my husband became extremely frustrated and angry, so he wanted no part of it again.

1. I NEVER asked for forgiveness, nor will I. I made that very clear. I knew when I continued the behavior what I was doing. I haven’t used contraception in over 10 years but I would still never ask for forgiveness for what I did.

I understand people needing to respond to my post. I expected that, but you might go back and read some. I am not naive, or misguided and I fully understand what the church reaches. Again, I do not promote contraception, I was answering the question, not trying to convince anyone what I was doing was right.

To ask, when a post like this is put up, should no one that actually has first hand knowledge of this situation answer and just let others speculate and give their opinions on people they have never even met.

 

[KellyPalmer]

I went back and reread your original reply and I still don’t see an answer to the question. While you aren’t promoting the idea for others, you are promoting your own deadly sin. And seemingly for no reason. I think that’s why you are getting so many responses.

 

[shelby_sun]

As Christians, it is our duty to judge our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is our duty to address them when they promote their deadly sins. We are all a part of the Body of Christ and it is out of love that we can’t sit back and not care when someone condemns themselves.

I have heard this before on this site, that it is our duty as Christians to judge, but the Bible also say do not judge least you be judged. Pope Francis stated that we judge each other far worse than God judges us.

We are all sinner, so how do we have the right to judge anyone else. I have no problem with being confronted here, but I don’t think Pope Francis is going to be preaching that message. It is our duty to love and help one another, not to judge, that is up to God and only God. Again I am ready to face Him with my decision. I hope those who feel it is their “duty” to use the Bible to judge others are ready to face Him.

 

[KellyPalmer]

I have heard this before on this site, that it is our duty as Christians to judge, but the Bible also say do not judge least you be judged. Pope Francis stated that we judge each other far worse than God judges us.

We are all sinner, so how do we have the right to judge anyone else. I have no problem with being confronted here, but I don’t think Pope Francis is going to be preaching that message. It is our duty to love and help one another, not to judge, that is up to God and only God. Again I am ready to face Him with my decision. I hope those who feel it is their “duty” to use the Bible to judge others are ready to face Him.

You aren’t defining the term. There are tons of scripture passages that call us to do what I describe. Would you like me to share them? Perhaps this will help - youtube.com/watch?v=F5170yd9Nt8

 

[shelby_sun]

I went back and reread your original reply and I still don’t see an answer to the question. While you aren’t promoting the idea for others, you are promoting your own deadly sin. And seemingly for no reason. I think that’s why you are getting so many responses.

Again. I have no problem with so many responses and people have the right to respond and disagree. No I didn’t go into details because that would have gotten the thread off track and off the topic at hand on marriage issues and choices. What ever situation I was in, I still had a decision to make and this was the one I made. Like I said I spoke with my priest and prayed over it, it did not come lightly or with thought.

 

[shelby_sun]

You aren’t defining the term. There are tons of scripture passages that call us to do what I describe. Would you like me to share them? Perhaps this will help - youtube.com/watch?v=F5170yd9Nt8

There are also some that go against what you describe, why are your the correct ones?

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I have heard this before on this site, that it is our duty as Christians to judge, but the Bible also say do not judge least you be judged. Pope Francis stated that we judge each other far worse than God judges us.

We are all sinner, so how do we have the right to judge anyone else. I have no problem with being confronted here, but I don’t think Pope Francis is going to be preaching that message. It is our duty to love and help one another, not to judge, that is up to God and only God. Again I am ready to face Him with my decision. I hope those who feel it is their “duty” to use the Bible to judge others are ready to face Him.

You are certainly determined to keep repeating this. No regrets, eh?

I Regret Nothing

 

[KellyPalmer]

There are also some that go against what you describe, why are your the correct ones?

I personally can’t recall any that go against what I’m trying to convey. If you feel that scripture contradicts itself then I would refer you to St Augustine who said if one encounters this then there are 3 possibilities – either the copy is bad, there is a problem with the translation of there is a problem with the way the reader understands the passage. Sometimes the problem is a lack of humility.

 

[shelby_sun]

You are certainly determined to keep repeating this. No regrets, eh?

I Regret Nothing

Not one, and anyone that knows me also knows I will not change my mind on my death bed and ask forgiveness for this as I made a choice each time I took a pill. There are some that think I wouldn’t be forgiven anyway. God will decide.

 

[JackieMom]

Suffice it to say, Shelby, I really do hope there are no eternal consequences for your choices. I hope, somehow, that we are all wrong, and the millions of contracepting couples have nothing to worry about. It’s a gamble I’d be too afraid to take, but since you’ve decided to take it and feel no remorse or guilt, I very much hope you are correct in that God will understand. It may be the case, too, that at some point you will feel guilt and remorse. If that happens, please don’t feel too proud to seek absolution via the sacrament of reconciliation. He is waiting and ready to forgive those who ask and seek repentance.

 

[KellyPalmer]

I doubt anyone here thinks you wouldn’t be forgiven. The bottom line is that you aren’t giving God the chance to decide to forgive you. Repent and sin no more – that is the message of Love that Christ preached.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Suffice it to say, Shelby, I really do hope there are no eternal consequences for your choices. I hope, somehow, that we are all wrong, and the millions of contracepting couples have nothing to worry about. It’s a gamble I’d be too afraid to take, but since you’ve decided to take it and feel no remorse or guilt, I very much hope you are correct in that God will understand. It may be the case, too, that at some point you will feel guilt and remorse. If that happens, please don’t feel too proud to seek absolution via the sacrament of reconciliation. He is waiting and ready to forgive those who ask and seek repentance.

I cringe at this person’s arrogance and pride. Every time I look up at the cross, I weep for my sins that put Jesus there. I have so many regrets and past sins that I wonder how I can even make it to Purgatory let alone Heaven. That is one hardened heart.

 

[shelby_sun]

I personally can’t recall any that go against what I’m trying to convey. If you feel that scripture contradicts itself then I would refer you to St Augustine who said if one encounters this then there are 3 possibilities – either the copy is bad, there is a problem with the translation of there is a problem with the way the reader understands the passage. Sometimes the problem is a lack of humility.

Yes well I lack many things. Those who judge others hopefully are doing it for all the right reasons. Only God knows their true heart, but there are some who are also misguided in the act of judging. I always find it interesting that there are some people who think themselves worthy of judging other when we are all sinners. How can I judge a sinner, when I too am a sinner? Sorry, not the way was brought up. The Jesuit way is not to point out all the sins of people around them and to quote scripture all the time. They are much more about telling us God loves us even though we are sinners and how much He loves us and wants to help us.

 

[shelby_sun]

I cringe at this person’s arrogance and pride. Every time I look up at the cross, I weep for my sins that put Jesus there. I have so many regrets and past sins that I wonder how I can even make it to Purgatory let alone Heaven. That is one hardened heart.

You don’t get it do you. I don’ t think for one minute I belong with God or think I am worthy of heaven, nor would be able to expect that when I have made the decisions I have. I am so glad you feel worthy enough to after what you misinterpreted and said.

NOW tell me there is no one judging on this post!!!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

You don’t get it do you. I don’ t think for one minute I belong with God or think I am worthy of heaven, nor would be able to expect that when I have made the decisions I have. I am so glad you feel worthy enough to after what you misinterpreted and said.

NOW tell me there is no one judging on this post!!!

Yes, I get it just fine, thanks. You would rather be in Hell than recognize your own error. You’ll take your chances with God’s judgment. I get that. I still wince at your bold and arrogant attitude with your own soul.

 

[JackieMom]

I cringe at this person’s arrogance and pride. Every time I look up at the cross, I weep for my sins that put Jesus there. I have so many regrets and past sins that I wonder how I can even make it to Purgatory let alone Heaven. That is one hardened heart.

Oh, Juliane - God is your father. Would you not forgive your own children even the most grievous insult if they came and begged you for forgiveness? You are such a good role model and advocate on CAF. You have shown many people truth and light. I have full confidence in God’s unimaginable mercy for those who seek it. It is so much deeper than our own ability to forgive. I have to believe that. Otherwise we are ALL damned because we’ve all done hideous, terrible things.

And I have to believe in God’s transformative power. No one is a lost cause until the end… Even if they present very stubbornly on the internet