The Elephant in our room

[Polluted]

Statistically, the vast bulk of users on this forum are engaged in the use of artificial contraception. So are many other devout Catholics who walk up to partake in communion everyday despite what the Church teaching is and it’s classification as a Mortal sin.

It’s everywhere, even the pre cana marriage classes I went to skipped over NFP, handed us a vague flier and made comments like “Artificial contraception is frowned on” or “I have a friend who uses NFP so feel free to call her”

I guess my question is, how do you personally rationalize your use of contraception not approved by Church authorities. I’m genuinely curious. How can we expect homosexuals to be chaste or tell young people not to have pre marital sex yet so many confirmed Catholics ignore this teaching?

 

[Sugabee43]

In total agreement with you, Polluted. I cannot understand it, either. Before I converted, I was on BCP as a single person mainly for the hormones to correct a medical issue. But as I became more connected to my faith, I realized that I had to allow God to be the God of my body as well as my soul, so I quit taking them. Not gonna lie; I was scared of what would happen to my body without them!!
But in His wisdom and mercy, He corrected what was disordered, and I had no physical issues. After we married (we were chaste before it), we practiced NFP and spaced our children as we found appropriate.
Like you, I am aghast that Catholics who purport to be pro-life and adherent to Church teaching can be on artificial birth control, and still feel comfortable in receiving Holy Communion.

 

[pensmama87]

I can’t think of a single regular poster here who uses contraception. There have been a couple in the past, mostly non-Catholic, but I don’t think you’re going to find what you’re looking for here.

While not an insignificant number of self-identified Catholics use contraception, they’re generally not going to be posting on CAF.

 

[Gia_B]

Statistically, the vast bulk of users on this forum are engaged in the use of artificial contraception.

You are surely referring to the statistic that says that 97% (or whatever) of Catholic women have used contraceptives. As has often been pointed out, this statistic can be misleading. The contraceptive use could be for medical reasons or it could have been prior to a conversion to Catholicism. Also, many of the people who a labeled “Catholic” in large polls like this aren’t practicing. A good many are just culturally Catholic or just say that they are Catholic because that’s what they were the last time they went to church ten years ago. Most of the Catholics on CAF tend to be practicing (and therefore more likely to follow the Church’s teaching), so the statistics for users on this forum will be different.

 

[Xantippe]

I can’t think of a single regular poster here who uses contraception. There have been a couple in the past, mostly non-Catholic, but I don’t think you’re going to find what you’re looking for here.

While not an insignificant number of self-identified Catholics use contraception, they’re generally not going to be posting on CAF.

Right.

Virtually no regular Catholic poster on CAF uses birth control, although there are a number on the pill for medical indications as is consistent with Church teaching.

 

[1ke]

Statistically, the vast bulk of users on this forum are engaged in the use of artificial contraception.

Really? You have actual data to back that up? Let’s have it please.

So are many other devout Catholics who walk up to partake in communion everyday despite what the Church teaching is and it’s classification as a Mortal sin.

Devout Catholics, really? Again, let’s have the data please.

It’s everywhere, even the pre cana marriage classes I went to skipped over NFP, handed us a vague flier and made comments like “Artificial contraception is frowned on” or “I have a friend who uses NFP so feel free to call her”

That’s too bad.

 

[Sugabee43]

You are surely referring to the statistic that says that 97% (or whatever) of Catholic women have used contraceptives. As has often been pointed out, this statistic can be misleading. The contraceptive use could be for medical reasons or it could have been prior to a conversion to Catholicism. Also, many of the people who a labeled “Catholic” in large polls like this aren’t practicing. A good many are just culturally Catholic or just say that they are Catholic because that’s what they were the last time they went to church ten years ago. Most of the Catholics on CAF tend to be practicing (and therefore more likely to follow the Church’s teaching), so the statistics for users on this forum will be different.

The highlighted portion was exactly me before I made the choice to give God control of the body He gave me.

Are there Catholics who don’t follow Church teaching? Absolutely. Are there sinners who receive Holy Communion? Yep. Do we ALL need the Sacrament of Absolution more regularly? Definitely!!

 

[Allegra]

I also suspect your elephant is in some other room. The vast majority of posters of CAF are faithful Catholics and while some struggle with NFP and the teachings on birth control, I can’t think of one that professes to go against the teaching. Obviously this excludes women who use the pill for medical reasons, which is allowed by the Church.

Most of the “statistics” that are touted around regarding Catholics and birth control are brought about by questions such as “Have you ever used birth control?” which is a very different question than “Do you accept the teachings of the Catholic Church on birth control?” which I suspect would get a very different answer.

 

[EasterJoy]

OP, I don’t think you understand the concept of random and non-random sampling.

I’m very curious, however, about the motivation behind this thread. What did you intend this conversation to accomplish, exactly?

 

[Polluted]

OP, I don’t think you understand the concept of random and non-random sampling.

I’m very curious, however, about the motivation behind this thread. What did you intend this conversation to accomplish, exactly?

To ask how people can receive communion and be in a state of mortal sin with zero guilt about the matter. How do people rationalize the act behind such a serious teaching, and why is no one bringing this up.

 

[Rico_S]

Statistically, the vast bulk of users on this forum are engaged in the use of artificial contraception.

No. I don’t doubt at all that the vast majority of Catholics do or have engaged in contraception, but not the bulk of CAF users. CAF regulars are the 1%ers…typically far, far more devout and devoted to the faith than the average Catholic. They certainly aren’t representative of the “typical” catholic, so you won’t get the response for which you are looking.

 

[Polluted]

No. I don’t doubt at all that the vast majority of Catholics do or have engaged in contraception, but not the bulk of CAF users. CAF regulars are the 1%ers…typically far, far more devout and devoted to the faith than the average Catholic. They certainly aren’t representative of the “typical” catholic, so you won’t get the response for which you are looking.

Could it be that this is only what you think? How can we be sure. Could it be that those members (however many) know they would be crucified if they admitted their birth control around these parts?

 

[pensmama87]

Could it be that this is only what you think? How can we be sure. Could it be that those members (however many) know they would be crucified if they admitted their birth control around these parts?

You can’t be sure of a lot on the Internet, that’s true. So I’m curious how you not only know that a bunch of us are using contraception, but that we’re lying about it.

 

[1ke]

Could it be that this is only what you think? How can we be sure. Could it be that those members (however many) know they would be crucified if they admitted their birth control around these parts?

So I guess that’s a “no” on the factual data.

With no actual data, the next best thing is to accuse everyone else of being liars?

 

[Rico_S]

Could it be that this is only what you think? How can we be sure. Could it be that those members (however many) know they would be crucified if they admitted their birth control around these parts?

I have no data other than reading these forums for many years. I’m sure there are some that use BC…but after reading hundreds of posts from a poster, you can get an idea of where they fall. The “bulk” of CAF regulars do not. These aren’t the droids you are looking for.

 

[Xantippe]

Could it be that this is only what you think? How can we be sure. Could it be that those members (however many) know they would be crucified if they admitted their birth control around these parts?

Wait–crucified by whom?

I thought you just said that everybody was using contraception?

 

[Xantippe]

I have no data other than reading these forums for many years. I’m sure there are some that use BC…but after reading hundreds of posts from a poster, you can get an idea of where they fall. The “bulk” of CAF regulars do not. These aren’t the droids you are looking for.

Right.

Plus, what’s the point of lying to strangers you’ll never meet?

That’s kind of a dumb hobby.

 

[pensmama87]

Wait–crucified by whom?

I thought you just said that everybody was using contraception?

I also think that’s a very interesting choice of words. If the OP is as serious a Catholic as he says he is, wouldn’t he know Catholics have a duty to admonish the sinner? In what way is admonishing the sinner supposed to resemble crucifixion?

(Though calling us all liars may be a sample of that method…)

 

[Jelrak_TB]

Could it be that this is only what you think? How can we be sure. Could it be that those members (however many) know they would be crucified if they admitted their birth control around these parts?

It is possible…however consider the irony that your argument even fails to land true on one such as myself…for even I have never used birth control elements in my marriage…in deference to my wife, certainly…and I clearly have no reason to lie on such a score.

However it was an interesting possibility…I am pleased you brought it up…yet now that the elephant seemingly has left the room so must I…

 

[1ke]

While not an insignificant number of self-identified Catholics use contraception, they’re generally not going to be posting on CAF.

I don’t have any Catholic friends IRL who use contraception either.