Thanks again Jeanette L. This is great (name removed by moderator)ut from someone who has been on both sides of the fence.
You know, it’s very sad that most Catholics I know don’t take the Church’s teachings seriously, or even bother learning about them. But when it came down to it, and I explored and researched so many areas of the Church’s Magisterial teachings, and the whole host of great encyclicals and Church Doctors, I had to put my eggs in it’s basket. I had to look at the teachings and not the people, because that’s where she shines. People are weak and they come and go, the Church has remained steady from the beginning, and in the end, that’s what mattered to me. I found it to be the only one out there I could ultimately trust.
Thanks for your thoughtful (name removed by moderator)ut about this. Keep us posted about how you see things developing in your church. I think there are a many of us who are very interseted.A little update from my end here. I was very encouraged by a conversation I had with our youth pastor’s wife. I knew she practised NFP and so I wanted to know if it was for the reasons we have been discussing in this thread. Sure enough, she has done her research and is dead set against the pill. I asked if our pastor felt the same way. Still not sure but I think he also leaned that way. The neat thing is that she and her husband spend so much time with young people and they have been passing on the message to young people in their own way. I felt very encouraged by this
There was an old song we used to sing on youth retreats when I was young (A little update from my end here. I was very encouraged by a conversation I had with our youth pastor’s wife. I knew she practised NFP and so I wanted to know if it was for the reasons we have been discussing in this thread. Sure enough, she has done her research and is dead set against the pill. I asked if our pastor felt the same way. Still not sure but I think he also leaned that way. The neat thing is that she and her husband spend so much time with young people and they have been passing on the message to young people in their own way. I felt very encouraged by this
), it was called “It Only Takes a Spark”. I was just reminded of it when reading your post. It only takes a few strategically placed people who are convinced of the truth of artificial contraception, and within a generation or two, things could be reversed in the Christian world.
No, they are not okay.
I don’t really know about that but it really doesn’t matter. What really matters is that someone is taking something to prevent from getting pregnant in the first place and that is against God’s will and command. God did not give us the beautiful marital act just to have fun and not bring forth life. When anyone wants to interfere in that, then they are in the wrong.
It’s a good question! Generally, in my experience, pastors haven’t preached on sexuality all that much. We’ve had some series about lust/pornography/sex outside marriage etc…but not about birth control. Abortion is mentioned at times, but I’ve never had an in-depth look at it except in youth group days…and then never examined b/c options. I don’t even know whose domain informing people about birth control lies in! We don’t have a “rule book” like the catechism in churches I’ve been involved in, so this kind of info wouldn’t be presented via that sort of route. Therefore, I think it must lie primarily in the hands of parents, physicians, youth pastors, premarital counselling, friends??? I don’t know! It would be great if it could be discussed within all premarital counselling classes (which each couple participates in prior to marriage in churches I’ve been involved in). Why isn’t it discussed very often? I don’t even know why not! Maybe it feels awkward as many couples are virgins when they get married. Sad, if that is the reason though. Selfishness? We want to be in control of our lives, and that includes our sex life, size of our family etc.? Lack of information? I think that may be a large part of it.
That’s a good thing.
That’s because in his world, he probably wouldn’t keep his job very long if he started in on something that would affect the comfort and convenience of his entire congregation! Let’s face it, it’s a democracy out there for most of them and they’re only 1 vote away from being kicked to the curb. It’s about speaking to the majority and telling them what they want to hear.
Is it really that bad?
That depends on who you ask, the parishioners or the church board/pastors.
It’s sad you had such awful experiences, but it’s not all like tht. I’ve been protestant my whole life and never witnessed a church split.
You have been very fortunate. I’ve been in many denominations, Baptists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God, Church of God, Non Denoms, Community Churches…, that experienced splits, so it doesn’t seem to be contained to one area or belief system. And this is of course at the local level. We see a lot going on in older denominations these days at the higher levels which are causing fractures.
And it does affect what is being preached much of the time, and probably most people don’t even think about that part of it.Have you read “Pontiff”? It’s a great book about the inner workings of the Vatican from Paul VI through the first few years of JPII.
You are preaching to the choir here, but I’ve actually only witnessed one church split up close. I have heard a lot of dirt, but most of the people I knew who were connected to my grandparents (both heavy in ministry) were incredibly devoted and loyal to one another. I’ve rarely found anything to equal that.I have to add that I come from a family that has had ministers within our fold and I have possibly been exposed to more dirt than the average church going person. I’ve known what goes on behind the scenes, the politics, the gossip, a lot of dirty laundry and general nastiness that left a bad taste for me.
Now, I am aware also that this happens everywhere, in every church, I’m not naive. Politics is a part of the human equation, sad but true.