Talking to family members about contraception

[yellow8yellowM]

Was I out of line? Was this effective evangelization?

I recently had a rough conversation with some family members regarding contraception. One person started the conversation by making light of the fact that they just start using birth control. Nobody disapproved in any way, but in fact added to the joking tone of the conversation. This is where I tried to gently and charitably let them know that this was wrong and why, by citing the catechism, etc. They tried to make NFP sound as sinful as a vasectomy and kept saying false things about Church teachings, as well as other illogical and inconsistent statements.

I figured that as long as they kept saying these things I ought to keep trying to correct them charitably. When should I have stopped talking with them about this?

 

[Auntie_A]

People are so engaged in birth control as being like a license to drive that they forget what they are doing to their bodies and lives. Keep on being gentle and persistent. Use facts. Be prepared for arguments, ridicule, but continue to show concern. Pray, breathe, be patient and continue to present the truth.

Maybe you can start with the founder of Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger, as a eugenicist.

Then discuss the “safety” of these lovely innovations…

Or discuss how these brilliant geniuses are breeding themselves into oblivion…and for what? a table at Starbucks? A trip to Cabo? an extra car?

God bless you for trying to speak for the truth.

 

[coachdennis]

I am constantly trying to get my head around the concept of people talking to other family members about such private matters as to what happens in the bedroom.

When I was growing up, I would not want to know my parents “did it”; and when I was first married I did not want my parents to know the details of what happened behind closed doors.

 

[Auntie_A]

I am constantly trying to get my head around the concept of people talking to other family members about such private matters as to what happens in the bedroom.

When I was growing up, I would not want to know my parents “did it”; and when I was first married I did not want my parents to know the details of what happened behind closed doors.

Would you want to know if someone put their health at risk by the use of chemicals (the Pill) or foreign objects (IUD’s)? I certainly would, especially since I know people who are dead now after use of copper IUD’s. Also, these “private matters” are not private in a world that “educates” people in the use of contraceptives but teaches nothing about natural fertility awareness.

 

[coachdennis]

Would you want to know if someone put their health at risk by the use of chemicals (the Pill) or foreign objects (IUD’s)? I certainly would, especially since I know people who are dead now after use of copper IUD’s. Also, these “private matters” are not private in a world that “educates” people in the use of contraceptives but teaches nothing about natural fertility awareness.

Of course I would be concern, and have been concern. When the conversation comes up, the Catholic teachings need to be clearly expressed. If nothing else, the health risks should make anyone think twice about artificial contraception.

My comment was really about “how” those conversations come up at family gatherings. I can understand one family member talking to one other, but in a large group…??

 

[yellow8yellowM]

Of course I would be concern, and have been concern. When the conversation comes up, the Catholic teachings need to be clearly expressed. If nothing else, the health risks should make anyone think twice about artificial contraception.

My comment was really about “how” those conversations come up at family gatherings. I can understand one family member talking to one other, but in a large group…??

We were sitting around the swimming pool and somebody said, “Hey, I just started taking the pill today!” It was in a very joking tone. It is like they want to vent their feelings and have somebody else reassure them that it is okay. I did not want that to happen.