Please don't get mad!?!?

[1st_Raven]

More ??? Now catholics have such hard core beliefs on conterceptives on the fact that they are completly not alowed, and that they are a big no, no!!! What about tatoos, silicone implants, plastic surgery, and haircoloring Don’t get mad please answere.I’m back into my faith, and have lots of questions. God be with you, your friend in Christ Jesus, Piper

 

[kp1]

The Contraception issue is related to the idea of being open to all of God’s blessings and gifts. If we are to place a barrier in the way of God’s love, then we are not being very open to his love and gifts. Kimberly Hahn has some great stuff on this!

So, as for the altering of your body, I think if you treat your body as the temple for the Holy Spirit, then you are OK. I am unaware of any taboo issues for hair coloring, piercing, etc. I know we should be accepting of God and we should be modest in our attire. We should be warry of vanity issues like silicon implants, but I do not think there is a specific rule for it. THis was just not an issue when Jesus walked the earth.)

 

[Mom_of_5]

There is a big difference between use of contraceptives and coloring hair, tatooing, etc. None of those practices, however hideous they may seem, interferes with the creation of life. Contracepting is akin to abortion in that it “aborts” the possiblity of life, stopping the sperm from meeting the fertile egg. Hope this explanation helps.

Love and peace

 

[Nance]

Although most ppl are saying tattoos and haircoloring is not per say forbidden…I would think the imagery it projects is in question!

Thinking of Mary Magdelen as the prostitute, we often see her with chains of jewelry and lots of makeup and then after Jesus forgives her she then becomes a very holy woman (now St) which we see no jewelry and no makeup…and very modestly dressed.

I’m not saying its sinful…but I am saying that its speaks volumes (let me clarify that Im talking about extreme here)

On a personal note…Im 45 and its not uncommon on my dads side to see greying at an early age, I began early in my twenties and now… whoa! I can’t tell you how much I would love to dye my hair, but heres the reasons I don’t
(and believe me some days I really resist the temptation)

1. most important reason of all my daughter, nieces and friends…
   I don’t want to give a bad example to them , by altering what I look like and possibly give into vanity
2. I have this deep thought that I shouldn’t
3. how it will look in 6-8 weeks, and the cost to keep it colored

Our prime example of Holiness is Our Lady…evrey icon and picture exemplifies wholesomeness, purity and modesty…who better to imitate than Mary.

 

[urbana]

None of these (tatooing, silicone implants, plastic surgery, hair coloring) are intrinsically sinful; however, in each case one must examine the reason for which they are being done to determine whether it is sinful in that particular case.

For example, for a woman who needs a mastectomy, there would be nothing wrong with using a silicone implant to retain her original appearance. On the other hand, if a woman wants to get implants in order to attract guys attention, she would be turning herself into a sex object, which would be sinful.

Similarly, plastic surgery can be used to treat disfigurement from an accident, or to correct a birth defect that is hindersome (cleft palate or the like). On the other hand, it can be used out of vanity.

 

[MamaSusie]

I have had questions about the silicone implant thing too. I was a professional athlete for many years (up until about 6 mos ago), and I am basically completely flat chested. Not only that, but I have a very “Square” appearance because you mainly only see my pectoral muscles, which aren’t round. I can’t wear swim suits or bras with much ease. Frankly, my upper body looks manly. I would like to have implants some day, just to look more feminine. I don’t want anyone but my husband and I to see them, and it would just be nice to be able to wear a tee shirt without being able to see my delts and pecs through it. I want to look more like a woman. I was also concerned that I wouldn’t be able to nurse if I have more children, but the surgeons can make sure that’s possible now too. So I’m seriously considering. Not so that I can go out and show them off, but just because I’m tired of looking like a man from the waist up.

Maybe too much information, but I want someone to understand my reasons, and tell me if that’s still considered a “vanity issue.”

 

[Della]

Frankly, my upper body looks manly. I would like to have implants some day, just to look more feminine.

I can’t see anything wrong with this. I certainly can’t blame you for wanting to look more like other women. If I were in your place, I’d probably do the same thing.

I’m one of those apparently wicked women who dyes her hair. Why do I do it? Because at 57 I don’t want to look and be treated like I’m elderly. It’s bad enough for complete strangers to call me “grandma,” but totally looking the part when I’m no such thing would be too much. In our culture if you have gray hair you are looked upon as senile, stupid and interested in nothing but your operations and grandchildren. Well, that’s not me.

If we can wear any color clothing we wish and any kind of jewelry, I can’t see how dying hair is any more vain than choosing well fitting, appropriate clothing and jewelry. Really, if a woman (or man) doesn’t spend hours in front of the mirror and only dresses and grooms her/himself to be presentable to others, then I can see nothing wrong with making some alterations to one’s looks for the sake of personal happiness.

 

[vluvski]

MamaSusie, I don’t think you’re vain to want to look womanly.

A word of caution: someone I know suffered a serious botched breast reduction and lost a nipple! She now has supply issues with breastfeeding, and this is so incredibly sad for her. Even though it can be done 99% of the time without a problem, the 1% chance of something going on is still very real!

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

this text is out of the context, but I think the principle applies.

 

[MamaSusie]

You know what gets me hung up more than the vanity thing is the cost. I haven’t had it done yet because I look at five thousand dollars and think, “Wow, how many sack lunches for the homeless, distributed daily at the Cathedral downtown, does that come to??” That’s what stops me. Why do I care how feminine I look when there are babies with growling stomachs in line at church?

 

[LSK]

1st_Raven:

More ??? Now catholics have such hard core beliefs on conterceptives on the fact that they are completly not alowed, and that they are a big no, no!!! What about tatoos, silicone implants, plastic surgery, and haircoloring Don’t get mad please answere.I’m back into my faith, and have lots of questions. God be with you, your friend in Christ Jesus, Piper

May I make a suggestion?

When You have questions like this, you should first turn to the Catholic Catechism. It is the very first place to find answers to your questions. It’s easy to read and understand, is based in Holy Scripture and you can buy a copy of it or access it online. I use this site:
scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm

or you can access it at the Vatican website

I have had plastic surgery - very minor - to correct some problems I experienced when I lost a ton of weight. The surgery did not really alter my appearance but it made it a little easier for me to move around and to purchase clothes. It is not forbidden by the Holy Mother Church.

I color my hair. I’m not sure why except I like being a lighter blonde than my natural color. If the Holy Mother Church determined, through the power of The Holy Spirit, that this was absolutely wrong and that I would not be in communion with Rome if I continued I would have no problem stopping.

I don’t get tattoos…others do. I have pierced ears…others do not…these are not covered by the Holy Mother Church.

I commend you on wanting to learn more about the Catholic Church. I think it is wonderful that you are asking questions. I welcome you home, and hope we can answer your questions clearly and, if not, point you in the direction of those who can.

 

[carol_marie]

MamaSusie:

I have had questions about the silicone implant thing too. I was a professional athlete for many years (up until about 6 mos ago), and I am basically completely flat chested. Not only that, but I have a very “Square” appearance because you mainly only see my pectoral muscles, which aren’t round. I can’t wear swim suits or bras with much ease. Frankly, my upper body looks manly. I would like to have implants some day, just to look more feminine. I don’t want anyone but my husband and I to see them, and it would just be nice to be able to wear a tee shirt without being able to see my delts and pecs through it. I want to look more like a woman. I was also concerned that I wouldn’t be able to nurse if I have more children, but the surgeons can make sure that’s possible now too. So I’m seriously considering. Not so that I can go out and show them off, but just because I’m tired of looking like a man from the waist up.

Maybe too much information, but I want someone to understand my reasons, and tell me if that’s still considered a “vanity issue.”

I understand totally. I am a marathon runner (when I’m not pregant) and I literally have NO chest… I get discouraged whenever I have to try to find a bathing suit… or even a woman’s dress… they are all made for a chest that I just don’t have. I’ve thought of having surgery… not for anyone but myself so I could look normal in my clothes - but I changed my mind because I think it would be a drag trying to run with those things bouncing around?

I certainly wouldn’t judge anyone who felt like surgery was something they wanted to do… everyone has her own reasons & I don’t think it’s anyone’s business…

 

[buffalo]

Always think of your dignity and what message you are trying to project.

 

[Island_Oak]

kp1:

…THis was just not an issue when Jesus walked the earth.)

Interestingly, neither was ABC…nor did Jesus ever teach upon the issue of procreation or avoidance thereof.

 

[manualman]

I’m not mad, for one.

But I sure am concerned about how degraded sex is in our culture. This culture sees sex as purely a selfish indulgence and pleasure.

God intended it to be so much more. A mutually giving expression of married love so great that a whole new life can come from it. Aproached this way, it is thrilling, exciting, fun and rewarding for life. Approached the way our sick culture does, it requires further and further degradation to maintain the ‘thrill.’

Contraception is not declared wrong arbitrarily. It is sinful because is does violence to God’s intention that sex be a totally mutually giving event. It transforms it into something selfish. Inserting the caveat of pruposely placing a barrier to pregnancy jars the true significance of sex just as badly as stopping to go get the condom out and put it on jars the process of passion.

It is in a whole other league from such trivial things as jewelry, tatoos and boob jobs!

 

[1st_Raven]

Nance:

Although most ppl are saying tattoos and haircoloring is not per say forbidden…I would think the imagery it projects is in question!

Thinking of Mary Magdelen as the prostitute
Thank you so much Nance, you seem like you really know your stuff!!! I just wish as woman we did not have such pressure in this world to look like the models on the covers of those magazines, it seems like that is what men seem to expect us to look like, even though it’s all fake, I mean it’s a real picture of a person, but the computer, and lighting affects do wonders Ya know? I mean even t.v. and commercials are bad these days. I wish women would just ban together, for just being who they are, and just stop the sharade of I’m better than you, and always trying to please the opposite sex. Sorry I’m rambling on this is for everyone now, I’m on a role, LoL! Your sister in Christ Jesus, Piper

 

[1st_Raven]

ooooohhhh I forgot to mention even the maternity magazines are crazy, with all there skinny pregnant woman, I understand that some woman are blessed with this , but why do they show all of them, lol??? Come on now!!! Let’s go girls’’…

 

[YinYangMom]

1st_Raven:

I wish women would just ban together, for just being who they are, and just stop the sharade of I’m better than you, and always trying to please the opposite sex

SISTER!!

Mother Church empowers me to embrace the feminitiy God blessed me with - whether or not it falls within society’s definition of beauty. The Church reassures me that it is beautiful to God and She instructs me to insist men treat me with dignity and respect for the woman that I am. Her support in that effort keeps me strong. May she empower you as well.

 

[1st_Raven]

1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

this text is out of the context, but I think the principle applies.

:) I do not understand , can you please explain. Thank you :thumbsup:

 

[1st_Raven]

It is in a whole other league from such trivial things as jewelry, tatoos and boob jobs!
Thank you, you also seem very wise, but I for one have to disagree on the boob job, as you put it. I think that is a topic that mabey should be talked about more, because it seems to be looked at as just a boob job, It’s actually a big time surgery, thats very common in our society, and if it is for men, and vanity, it is wrong, but for woman that had breast cancer, and they want to look, and feel like a woman again, I see nothing wrong with that. Bottom line is that God knew us before we where ever concieved in our mothers womb, I am deffinatley going to keep myself looking like the masterpiece God had in His Almighty, Wonderful,and all Powerful mind!!! Because He made me this way, and frankly He is the only one I need to please