Questions about birth control again

[thistle]

So wait you and your wife never have sex? Wow that does take a lot of dedication, but is that really healthy? And I know what “my only choice is” according to traditional catholic teaching. But do you honestly think there is no gray areas with God? Obviously you do if you have been divorced. Every couple has a unique situation, and I know God understands this and takes it into consideration. I was just upset because so many people were so quick to judge me and tell me I would go to hell. When they have no idea, and most people like that are complete hypocrites.

That is correct. Living a life of continence means having no sex.
No there are no gray areas with God. Either you obey his will or you don’t. We chose to put him before ourselves.
Why would it not be healthy not to have sex. Are you saying all priests live an unhealthy life?
Faith in Christ and daily prayer is the key.

As for going to Hell, I and others were simply pointing out that anyone dying in a state of mortal sin goes to Hell (whatever mortal sin might be on the soul at death). That is the Church teaching with the authority of God behind it.

 

[brendenseth]

That is correct. Living a life of continence means having no sex.
No there are no gray areas with God. Either you obey his will or you don’t. We chose to put him before ourselves.
Why would it not be healthy not to have sex. Are you saying all priests live an unhealthy life?
Faith in Christ and daily prayer is the key.

As for going to Hell, I and others were simply pointing out that anyone dying in a state of mortal sin goes to Hell (whatever mortal sin might be on the soul at death). That is the Church teaching with the authority of God behind it.

No I’m not saying that about priests, but you’re not a priest you’re married. I meant I didn’t know if it was healthy for married couples. Your wife hasn’t done anything wrong so I don’t know why she should suffer.

 

[Curious_Seed]

So I’ve done the research and everything says that condoms are a sin. But what happens if you use condoms? I can’t find this anywhere, what if you’re a good person but you choose to use condoms. NFP is all about being open to new life, but what if your not open right now. We just had a child and she is all we can take right now. I’ve talked to several priests about this and they have both said my circumstance they think it would be ok. One also said I wouldn’t go to hell, but that raised the question of what would happen to me? My wife has a very severe case of pmdd, so when she gets her period back she would go on the pill. Is my only option to abstain the whole time she is breastfeeding then? Thanks.

The Catholic Church condemns the use of condoms: period.

So “alternatives” are proffered, thinking advice given means the situation is addressed.

It may be addressed, but it has not been helped.

However, you volunteered to be a Catholic, so good luck!

P.S.: You mentioned you have spoken with several priests, and both advised you. Interesting numbers.

 

[thistle]

No I’m not saying that about priests, but you’re not a priest you’re married. I meant I didn’t know if it was healthy for married couples. Your wife hasn’t done anything wrong so I don’t know why she should suffer.

What makes you think my wife is suffering because we don’t have sex.
You seem to hung up on sex.

 

[Curious_Seed]

What makes you think my wife is suffering because we don’t have sex.
You seem to hung up on sex.

You think brendenseth may be too hung up on sex, and you wonder what would make him think your wife is suffering because you no longer have sex ?

Interesting.

I don’t think your wife is suffering.

 

[Uzziah1]

Isn’t that fairly obvious? You commit a grave sin. That means if you die in such a state you have put your soul in danger of Hell. Until you go to confession and repent and cease this sin, you should refrain from Communion.

It is the same as committing any other sin. I’m having troubl understanding why you don’t know what it means when you commit a sin.

What if you are a “good person” who steals something? Or who lies? Or who commits adultery?

You go from becoming a “good person” to a person in a state of ojectively grave sin.

You can use NFP to abstain periodically OR you can choose to abstain completely for a while.

Oh my God, those priests will have a lot to answer for. I cannot believe they would tell you that!!!

Well, clearly you know better because you are here asking. I am sorry you have been so misled by those you should trust with your spiritual care.

I suggest relaying the “advice” you received to your bishop. He needs to know his priests are leading his flock astray.

Contraception is intriniscally evil. There is nothing wrong with avoiding pregnancy for a time through NFP or through abstaining completely for a time. You were on the right path there.

You have a lot to answer for if you take God’s name in vain. What, do you think sex sins are the only sins?

 

[Nate13]

You think brendenseth may be too hung up on sex, and you wonder what would make him think your wife is suffering because you no longer have sex ?

Interesting.

I don’t think your wife is suffering.

This comment is really hitting a new low for you.

You have a lot to answer for if you take God’s name in vain. What, do you think sex sins are the only sins?

Take a look at all the threads in the Moral Theology section right now and see how many are related in some way to sexual sins. There are far more people who question sexual sins as opposed to whether murdering, lying, missing church on Sunday, etc… are sins. Its also not a coincidence that this fact coincides with the fact that the issue on which priests are most likely to error on when giving pastoral advice is sexual sins.

 

[white_sheep]

Doesn’t pregnancy and childbirth cure problems like PMDD for many women?

 

[Daizies]

Doesn’t pregnancy and childbirth cure problems like PMDD for many women?

No. PMDD is believed to be caused by an interaction between ovarian hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain, and there is no known prevention or cure. The two most common treatments are SSRI’s or Birth Control pills, but using SSRI’s during pregnancy or breastfeeding can be problematic (although generally considered safer than other anti-depressants, I can understand not wanting to expose an infant to these medications).

To the OP: I have no advice, because I really don’t know what to say. However, I will keep you and you wife in my prayers.

 

[Corki]

Doesn’t pregnancy and childbirth cure problems like PMDD for many women?

Sometimes. One of the reasons that birth control pills give women some relief is that they mimic (hormonally) the state of the body when pregnant. Whether it is a “cure” or just a temporary respite depends on the specifics.

The two most common treatments are SSRI’s or Birth Control pills, but using SSRI’s during pregnancy or breastfeeding can be problematic (although generally considered safer than other anti-depressants, I can understand not wanting to expose an infant to these medications).

And taking birth control pills while breastfeeding is seriously “problematic” too - for the mom and the baby.

 

[Nate13]

No. PMDD is believed to be caused by an interaction between ovarian hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain, and there is no known prevention or cure. The two most common treatments are SSRI’s or Birth Control pills, but using SSRI’s during pregnancy or breastfeeding can be problematic (although generally considered safer than other anti-depressants, I can understand not wanting to expose an infant to these medications).

To the OP: I have no advice, because I really don’t know what to say. However, I will keep you and you wife in my prayers.

Actually when I looked it up the first recommendation was a change in diet, a hard look at nutrition, and regular exercise. A lack of certain nutrients and vitamins is often times the cause of many of these conditions and problems with a woman’s cycle.

 

[Daizies]

Actually when I looked it up the first recommendation was a change in diet, a hard look at nutrition, and regular exercise. A lack of certain nutrients and vitamins is often times the cause of many of these conditions and problems with a woman’s cycle.

Unfortunately a lot of doctors are not well versed in nutrition and natural treatments.

 

[mitex]

Simple put… As a protestant I can use contraception (although as a man I only think there’s a couple things I can do).

As a Catholic you cannot…

 

[Nate13]

Simple put… As a protestant I can use contraception (although as a man I only think there’s a couple things I can do).

As a Catholic you cannot…

(sarcasm on)
As a Protestant you can do anything you want about anything as long as you “meet the basics” of what it means to be a Christian still. What are the basics? Well lots of people have ideas about what the qualifiers are to be Christian, but you don’t have to listen to any of them because none of them are God or know the Truth any better than you do. You have the Holy Spirit to help you determine what is right and wrong and you can set your own ideas about what it means to be a Christian. Also, don’t let anyone tell you the Holy Spirit would never tell you such and such action is ok. After all who are they to tell you what the Holy Spirit can and cannot say? Anyone who tries to tell you what the Holy Spirit can and cannot say is just like the Catholics who think they have the Truth. Who the heck do they think they are, anyways?

 

[Curious_Seed]

This comment is really hitting a new low for you.

Thank you, for your ongoing interest.



Take a look at all the threads in the Moral Theology section right now and see how many are related in some way to sexual sins. There are far more people who question sexual sins as opposed to whether murdering, lying, missing church on Sunday, etc… are sins. Its also not a coincidence that this fact coincides with the fact that the issue on which priests are most likely to error on when giving pastoral advice is sexual sins.

 

[mitex]

(sarcasm on)
As a Protestant you can do anything you want about anything as long as you “meet the basics” of what it means to be a Christian still. What are the basics? Well lots of people have ideas about what the qualifiers are to be Christian, but you don’t have to listen to any of them because none of them are God or know the Truth any better than you do. You have the Holy Spirit to help you determine what is right and wrong and you can set your own ideas about what it means to be a Christian. Also, don’t let anyone tell you the Holy Spirit would never tell you such and such action is ok. After all who are they to tell you what the Holy Spirit can and cannot say? Anyone who tries to tell you what the Holy Spirit can and cannot say is just like the Catholics who think they have the Truth. Who the heck do they think they are, anyways?

No offense Nate but you no nothing of what it means to be a protestant

Nice try though

 

[dailey]

You keep saying you know the Church teaching. Then why are you asking what to do. You know the answer.
As various posters have pointed out you only have two choices: careful use of NFP or abstention. There is no third choice.

In case you don’t think I know what that means, I do. My wife is a cradle Catholic. Her first husband is dead. My first wife and I are divorced. My current wife and I are legally married but that is not considered valid by the Church. I could not get an annulment. For me to take the final step to become a Catholic I had to vow that my wife and I live a life of continence (i.e. complete abstinence from any sexual relationship) which is what we have done for the past 20 years. We had to make a choice. Put God first or ourselves first. We chose God.

Wow. I have always respected and enjoyed your responses as you are completely in line with the churches teachings. But now I have a whole new sense of respect for you. Your really do teach what you preach…

 

[casey_zia]

Wow. I have always respected and enjoyed your responses as you are completely in line with the churches teachings. But now I have a whole new sense of respect for you. Your really do teach what you preach…

I second that! :yup:

 

[Curious_Seed]

No offense Nate but you no nothing of what it means to be a protestant

Nice try though

My experience with most Catholics, on this wonderful Forum, is that their extreme poverty of knowledge of anything Protestant is exceeded only by their extreme hubris in believing they know more about Protestantism than Protestants do.

Their immediate response to any challenge to Catholic indoctrination is to take offense and issue personal insults.

By the way, I have also learned that any derogatory remarks toward Protestantism is condoned by the Forum Moderators, and any addressing of those remarks is subject to penalties.

But though the Forum is highly biased to erase contrary thinking, and designed to serve Catholic proselytizing, its integral value in communicating warrants participation.

What is also marvelous is that the beauty of Catholicism remains untainted.

 

[underacloud]

No offense Nate but you no nothing of what it means to be a protestant

Nice try though

Actually, I thought he did pretty well. No need for the Church, protestants have the Holy Spirit to guide them directly…off into tens of thousands of different denominations.