Perfect. You definitely stated my thoughts much better than I could have. :thumb:

 

Just because someone is Catholic, IMO, doesn't mean you have to agree with everything that is taught.

 

I can't disagree with any of you on you opinions as I won't/can't pass judgment, but and it's a big but, ask your parish priest the next time you attend Mass about your opinions, or maybe Bishop Foys if you see him, maybe even write to our Holy Father in Rome to ask him..... They all just might disagree a tad......

Edited October 24, 200817 yr by Theoldguy

There are a few things that are involved in the issue of birth control, and the Catholic Church's position.

 

First of all, the sacredness of life. How can the Church "evolve" on this one? Life begins at conception. Artificial means of birth control prevent conception, or prevent the continuation of life after conception.

 

Secondly, the sanctity of the intimate relationship between a man and a woman, which in turn leads to the sanctity of marriage, which in turn leads to the sacredness of family.

 

The issue of birth control by artificial means is not separate, like most issues within the Church are not separate. It's an integral position in the teachings of the Church as a whole.

 

To say it's not practical in this day and age to expect chastity, is like saying that God's will has changed....but it hasn't. We can't pick and choose which teachings we believe, and which we dismiss.

 

 

Read Pope Paul VI's HUMANAE VITAE

 

 

 

But, isn't this the TRUTH. God loves you and so do I.

 

Where is there truth in listing sins. That is what the pharisees did and we know where Jesus stood with them.:flame:

 

So as not to complete hijack Hatz thread -

 

If you believe that life begins at conception and that stopping that life pre-maturely by artificial means, then . . . birth control that keeps the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine (sp) wall has to be a sin - It is murder.

Agreed on the bolded.

 

The Truth in determining what are moral and immoral actions is trying to help people to walk in Jesus's footsteps.

I'm not really sure how to say this, but I'll give it a shot...

 

While I understand, I believe that the Catholic faith, which was founded so long ago, has failed to evolve like the rest of the world. It is too utopian in many aspects. I'm not saying that the Catholic faith should "give in" to the rest of the world and the weaknesses that follow, though.

 

I think that the Catholic faith (and any faith or person, for that matter) would benefit from promoting birth control and safe sex methods. Sure, abstinence is truly the only "safe" sex, but you cannot prevent everyone from having sex.

 

People, particularly teenagers, need to be educated as to the dangers, benefits & consequences of having intercourse. To me, the Catholic view prevents many from reaching out for the truth, since they'll risk alienation by doing so.

1. Why should the Catholic Church adjust its teachings to fit that of the world?

 

 

2. I have attended Catholic schools all of my life (up until college) and I have been informed plenty of the benefits and consequences of having intercourse.

There are a few things that are involved in the issue of birth control, and the Catholic Church's position.

 

First of all, the sacredness of life. How can the Church "evolve" on this one? Life begins at conception. Artificial means of birth control prevent conception, or prevent the continuation of life after conception.

 

Secondly, the sanctity of the intimate relationship between a man and a woman, which in turn leads to the sanctity of marriage, which in turn leads to the sacredness of family.

 

The issue of birth control by artificial means is not separate, like most issues within the Church are not separate. It's an integral position in the teachings of the Church as a whole.

 

To say it's not practical in this day and age to expect chastity, is like saying that God's will has changed....but it hasn't. We can't pick and choose which teachings we believe, and which we dismiss.

 

 

Read Pope Paul VI's HUMANAE VITAE

 

 

 

You liberal. :jump:

 

I still have yet to read Humanae Vitae in its entirety, but I will ASAP.

To say it's not practical in this day and age to expect chastity, is like saying that God's will has changed....but it hasn't. We can't pick and choose which teachings we believe, and which we dismiss. [/size][/font]

At the risk of thoroughly ticking you off, I agree with this statement 100%.

 

Whether birth control is or is not a sin, sex outside of the marital relationship (between a husband and wife) is a sin. The fact that millions do it every day, and that times have changed has nothing to do with making it less of an offense to a holy God. Using a birth control method other than abstinence is merely compounding the problem, (from a sin perspective.)

 

It is only by human standards that we relegate sins into categories of bad, worse and worst, but I can see nowhere in the Bible that sins are graded on the curve. We all screw up and sin... some of us more than others. The fact is, sin separates us from God and there's only One Way to defeat sin. Apart from Jesus Christ we're all hosed.

At the risk of thoroughly ticking you off, I agree with this statement 100%.

 

Whether birth control is or is not a sin, sex outside of the marital relationship (between a husband and wife) is a sin. The fact that millions do it every day, and that times have changed has nothing to do with making it less of an offense to a holy God. Using a birth control method other than abstinence is merely compounding the problem, (from a sin perspective.)

 

It is only by human standards that we relegate sins into categories of bad, worse and worst, but I can see nowhere in the Bible that sins are graded on the curve. We all screw up and sin... some of us more than others. The fact is, sin separates us from God and there's only One Way to defeat sin. Apart from Jesus Christ we're all hosed.

Agreed 100%

At the risk of thoroughly ticking you off, I agree with this statement 100%.

 

 

 

Why in the world would I be ticked off?

There are a few things that are involved in the issue of birth control, and the Catholic Church's position.

 

First of all, the sacredness of life. How can the Church "evolve" on this one? Life begins at conception. Artificial means of birth control prevent conception, or prevent the continuation of life after conception.

 

Secondly, the sanctity of the intimate relationship between a man and a woman, which in turn leads to the sanctity of marriage, which in turn leads to the sacredness of family.

 

The issue of birth control by artificial means is not separate, like most issues within the Church are not separate. It's an integral position in the teachings of the Church as a whole.

 

To say it's not practical in this day and age to expect chastity, is like saying that God's will has changed....but it hasn't. We can't pick and choose which teachings we believe, and which we dismiss.

 

 

Read Pope Paul VI's HUMANAE VITAE

 

 

 

 

Very well said.

Just because someone is Catholic, IMO, doesn't mean you have to agree with everything that is taught.

 

 

Yes... it does. In fact, your idea of claiming to be Catholic while believing or teaching something contrary to Church teaching is so common that it even has its own name: heresy.

I have had this discussion many times. If you do not believe in or choose to not follow the basic teachings of your religion, then you are kidding yourself to call yourself a member of that religion.

 

Catholicism is not simply an ethnicity or way of life into which one is born and is therefor a Catholic.

I mean no disrespect to anyone, and I know this can be a touchy subject, but some of the posts seem to be doing exactly what I was talking about.

 

I'm not condoning pre-marital sex. But I understand that times have changed. No longer do we require TV shows to show people sleeping in different beds.

 

I'm not questioning the church's stance on pre-marital sex, the sanctity of marriage, or any of that. I was raised to believe that and continue to do so today; however, I do think that the topic is seen as taboo and leads to more alienation than anything.

 

The fact of the matter is that it's a problem with society. I'm not sure how great of a job the Catholic church has done in adjusting with it. I am NOT saying that we should change what we stand for. Simply saying that we, as a whole, could do things to avoid alienation.

 

By no means am I expert on birth control, but I do think there is a difference between the preventive birth control and the "morning after" contraceptive. I'm not sure how the preventive birth control could be compared to murder?

Agreed on the bolded.

 

The Truth in determining what are moral and immoral actions is trying to help people to walk in Jesus's footsteps.

 

1. Why should the Catholic Church adjust its teachings to fit that of the world?

 

 

2. I have attended Catholic schools all of my life (up until college) and I have been informed plenty of the benefits and consequences of having intercourse.

 

1. A great question. A lot broader than I intended, though. The Catholic Church should not adjust its teachings to the world's liking. I just think there's a better way to handle it.

 

2. Me too. And I too have been informed of the consequences of sex. Attending Catholic schools helped, but I'd say that the majority stemmed from my family.

 

 

This topic has made me think about how much I value a Catholic education. Truly feel blessed to have attended such great schools and hope that my kids can do the same. But that's for another thread.

I'm Catholic, and I'm not against birth control at all.

 

Catholic here as well, I don't have a problem with birth control, including the morning after pill, But only up to 24-30 something hours after sex.

Edited October 25, 200817 yr by SportsGuy41017

Why in the world would I be ticked off?

Because it was me doing the agreeing...

 

...an old school protestant fundamentalist, conservative, occasional male chauvanist, republican (until republicans became something I cannot recognize any longer) non-politically correct, and frequent P&R nemesis. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Because it was me doing the agreeing...

 

...an old school protestant fundamentalist, conservative, occasional male chauvanist, republican (until republicans became something I cannot recognize any longer) non-politically correct, and frequent P&R nemesis. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I'm NEVER upset when someone actually AGREES with me. I may be surprised, nay SHOCKED in some cases...but not ticked off. :lol: