Question about contraception

[Amandylinee]

So, I completely dismiss the idea of contraception and I do believe it to be an intrinsic evil. But, I was having a conversation with my dad about it. I was trying to explain to him the facts about contraception and what the Church says about it. My dad being from Pakistan brought up the fact that many poor families in Pakistan had many children but had to watch them die from malnutrition. I said to my dad that while it is definitely a tragedy for any parent to see his or her child die, people should learn self control; they should also understand that if they know they can’t adequately provide for a child’s needs in regards to food and what not, then they should try practicing control as opposed to contraception. My dad disagrees with me on this and says that it is part of the culture to have many children in Pakistan. My dad then goes on to state that just because the Church’s doctrine is against contraception, it doesn’t mean it’s true. I disagree with my dad on this. He also brought up the fact about how the Church was trying to hide the fact that some priests were molesting children(not recently, but many years ago). I don’t know how to confront my dad on these subjects. I have given him the facts about contraception and what the Church says about it; at this point, I don’t know what to do. Any (name removed by moderator)ut?

 

[Bookcat]

The sins of some do not make teaching not true.

Remember there can be reasons for people to use periodic continence (called NFP here) to space or even forgo more Children. Such is the moral means.

Bl. Mother Teresa and her sisters have taught such to the most poor and uneducated…the people they taught were able to live it in life.

Here is a summary of the Church’s teaching from the Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. What is the meaning of the conjugal act?

2362-2367

The conjugal act has a twofold meaning: unitive (the mutual self-giving of the spouses) and procreative (an openness to the transmission of life). No one may break the inseparable connection which God has established between these two meanings of the conjugal act by excluding one or the other of them.

1. When is it moral to regulate births?

2368-2369
2399

The regulation of births, which is an aspect of responsible fatherhood and motherhood, is objectively morally acceptable when it is pursued by the spouses without external pressure; when it is practiced not out of selfishness but for serious reasons; and with methods that conform to the objective criteria of morality, that is, periodic continence and use of the infertile periods.

1. What are immoral means of birth control?

2370-2372

Every action - for example, direct sterilization or contraception - is intrinsically immoral which (either in anticipation of the conjugal act, in its accomplishment or in the development of its natural consequences) proposes, as an end or as a means, to hinder procreation.

PS: remember…one is limited as to what one can get across to ones own…one does what one can but it is important to remember this. As Jesus said…a prophet is a prophet…except with his own…so do not be surprised that he does not react as you desire. Sometimes giving good writings…or leaving them around to be read prudently…can be helpful. Or get a CD or DVD…etc Call Catholic Answers directly and ask for advice etc…and of course pray.

 

[ahs]

Contraception is a grave sin. It does not matter if there are Catholics, even Priests, who commit horrible sins. That does not change the sinfulness of contraception. As stated above, the sins of some people do not remove the sinfulness of an act (contraception).

Your dad is within his rights to be concerned about people having too many children to provide for. In those cases, couple have the right to discern whether or not they can provide for another child, and if not, they have the right to abstain from sex periodically. This is called periodic abstinence.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (in unison with what Bookcat posted):

2370 Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality.157 These methods respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them, and favor the education of an authentic freedom. In contrast, “every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible” is intrinsically evil:158

 

[sw85]

So, I completely dismiss the idea of contraception and I do believe it to be an intrinsic evil. But, I was having a conversation with my dad about it. I was trying to explain to him the facts about contraception and what the Church says about it. My dad being from Pakistan brought up the fact that many poor families in Pakistan had many children but had to watch them die from malnutrition. I said to my dad that while it is definitely a tragedy for any parent to see his or her child die, people should learn self control; they should also understand that if they know they can’t adequately provide for a child’s needs in regards to food and what not, then they should try practicing control as opposed to contraception. My dad disagrees with me on this and says that it is part of the culture to have many children in Pakistan. My dad then goes on to state that just because the Church’s doctrine is against contraception, it doesn’t mean it’s true. I disagree with my dad on this. He also brought up the fact about how the Church was trying to hide the fact that some priests were molesting children(not recently, but many years ago). I don’t know how to confront my dad on these subjects. I have given him the facts about contraception and what the Church says about it; at this point, I don’t know what to do. Any (name removed by moderator)ut?

If the culture is to have many children (presumably because of the high infant mortality rate), why should anyone expect that contraception would bring the fertility rate down?

 

[Credo_in_Deum]

So, I completely dismiss the idea of contraception and I do believe it to be an intrinsic evil. But, I was having a conversation with my dad about it. I was trying to explain to him the facts about contraception and what the Church says about it. My dad being from Pakistan brought up the fact that many poor families in Pakistan had many children but had to watch them die from malnutrition. I said to my dad that while it is definitely a tragedy for any parent to see his or her child die, people should learn self control; they should also understand that if they know they can’t adequately provide for a child’s needs in regards to food and what not, then they should try practicing control as opposed to contraception. My dad disagrees with me on this and says that it is part of the culture to have many children in Pakistan. My dad then goes on to state that just because the Church’s doctrine is against contraception, it doesn’t mean it’s true. I disagree with my dad on this. He also brought up the fact about how the Church was trying to hide the fact that some priests were molesting children(not recently, but many years ago). I don’t know how to confront my dad on these subjects. I have given him the facts about contraception and what the Church says about it; at this point, I don’t know what to do. Any (name removed by moderator)ut?

It was part of the Aztec culture to sacrifice humans to their Gods as well but I’m sure your father would agree that Cortes should have just tolerated and adapted his faith to this rather than practice Christian virtue. I would ask your father how the culture of Pakistan voids the practice of self-control and where it’s taught in Pakistan’s history that this is what is expected in order to have lots of children. Honestly he is offending the people of Pakistan by saying it’s their culture to reproduce without thinking about the consequences of their actions.

Honestly the simple fact is your father doesn’t want to listen to what you have to say which means this is the time you stop arguing with him and pray. You have done your part now it’s time to let God do His. Pray for you father to see God’s will and to accept it into his heart. Ask our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph for their prayers so your father will realize the error of his ways.

 

[Amandylinee]

Don’t get me wrong; my dad is a loving guy and a practicing Catholic who is a member of the Knights of Columbus. We just had this disagreement . I did mention NFB to him during this discussion, and he said that NFB doesn’t always work. I replied by saying that a majority of the time, it does work. I think my dad’s main concern is the fact that parents have to watch their children die from malnutrition. My dad does agree with me for the most part on contraception, but when it comes to countries like India/Pakistan it’s a bit of a different story. I did tell him about NFB and just having control. I told him I honestly did not know how to respond and that I would get back to him. I will just continue to pray for him and hopefully convince him in the future. Thank you all for your replies and (name removed by moderator)ut.