I mean no disrespect when I say this, but why do CELIBATE members of your clergy oppose birth control? Isn't celibacy itself a form of birth control when you really think about it?
2006-06-16 05:35:22 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The "birth control" the Roman Catholic Church is referring to is the "unnatural" methods of contraception, such as using condoms, spermicides, caps, pills, IUV, ligation and vasectomy. These methods are considered "unnatural' because they hinder the "divine" union of the sperm and the cell in an act where it supposedly has to happen.
Celibacy, on the other hand, is a natural form of birth control because there is no sexual intercourse involved and there is no intention for the sperm to unite with the ova. Simply speaking, there is no "divine union" to hinder because there is no "act".
Hence, its a Godly way to prevent pregnancy.
2006-06-16 05:44:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The clergy is celibate because they are supposed to be "married" to Christ and the Church and put them first and the church feels that a wife and/or sex would hinder that. So really it has nothing to do with birth control, just priorities and loyalties. As far as birth control, the church is opposed to it because it prevents life and from being created and in the church's eyes, the only true purpose for sex is creation (so that is why mastrubation is considered wrong also, just fyi). And the church doesn't even worry about birth control for unmarried people (or even married) who don't want to create life, because sex before marriage is forbidden, and when married in the Catholic church, you pledge to let god's plan for creation happen between you, without hinderance. Thats why you see so many huge Catholic families.
2006-06-16 12:45:28 · answer #2 · answered by callednoel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the Church as a whole opposes contraceptives. I am not a celibate. I am engaged and preparing for marriage, so contraception is a reality in my decision making.
It is wrong to contracept because sexual intercourse between and husband and wife is both love giving and life giving. To divorce the two in this act would be a counterfeit of the true nature of sex.
Furthermore, love is self-giving without reserve. That is what a marriage is - loving - self-giving without reserve. That is why the groom and bride say to each other, "I take you to be my..." Because they are offering themselves to each other as a gift. The sexual union is the ultimate physical, spiritual, and emotional act of unity a married couple can perform. They are becoming one flesh literally and theologically.
Sex being the ultimate expression of a married couples vows should hold to the oath to give one's self to the other as a gift without reserve. Contraception witholds your fertility from your spouse. Thus the gift is not whole and is not entirely out of love. It is reserving a very special part of your self and saying quite loudly, "I love you enough to have sex with you, but at the moment I do not want to have a child with you."
I don't care if both are in agreement and say that is fine. Then they shouldn't be having sex because sex is life giving as well as love giving. They are lying with their bodies if they contracept and withold a part of themselves while performing a sacred act intended to be a whole and selfless gift.
Theology of the Body for Beginners is a great and easy way to learn why Catholics think all these things about sex, marriage, babies, birth control, homosexuality, celibacy, ect. Give it a search on amazon or something.
2006-06-16 12:44:37 · answer #3 · answered by velvet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Condoms and birth control are opposed because they subvert God's plan to give us children in His own time. In any married couple, you must proclaim that you are open to the possibility of children at all times. It's in the marriage vows. Celibacy is the only acceptable form of preventing pregnancy in married couples and only if extreme circumstances exist, such as the inability to care for a child financially or some medical problem exists. In this example, we are becoming more like Jesus by denying ourselves the pleasure of the flesh. It is supposed to make us more like Christ by suffering for our faith. Celibacy for the clergy has nothing to do with birth control. It is because Christ was celibate, and because a priest should never have to decide between protecting his family and caring for his parishoners. Think of it this way, the priests are required to care for the lepers. Would you really want them to have to decide between doing their duty or protecting their wife and children from getting leprosy.
2006-06-16 12:44:14 · answer #4 · answered by jediljc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was raised Catholic. I get the whole "it prevents life" yadda yadda yadda story... I also have a condition which I needed to take birth control in order to ease pain I had. This pain would take one day out of every month away from me. I'd have cold sweats and throw up and if I even rolled over in my sleep the pain would cause me to wake up. I couldn't do anything. I'd miss school and/or work on those days. If I did manage to make it to work, there were a few times where I ended up on the ground, in a fetal position from the pain. Catholic friends of the family said it was "a blessing from God" blah blah blah... I on the other hand thought I would die from the intensity. I don't see why anyone should go through pain when something is there to prevent it. But I was shunned by catholic friends. This is not the soul reason I left the church, but a factor. It's been many years and I haven't looked back!
2006-06-16 19:24:13 · answer #5 · answered by WithLoveMaura 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The priests are celibate because they're not married and we don't believe in sex outside of marriage. Catholics are against birth control because taking birth control is a way to try and control life. If one is married (which means you're most likely having sex), you must be open to life (aka, a child that God may want to provide you).
2006-06-16 12:52:12 · answer #6 · answered by Candice H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true that they are celibate, but their celibacy is less an issue of birth control and more like that of a sacrifice they make when they dedicate their lives to the service of God.
As for their nixing birth control, the Catholic Church believes it goes against the Word of God when he said for men to ". . . go forth and multiply." They also argue that supporting it's use would promote promiscuity and irresponsibility sex-wise.
For my part, I remain a Catholic who disagrees with the Church on that count.
2006-06-16 12:45:30 · answer #7 · answered by Jamie2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I remember correctly from my highschool ethics class, the reason why the Catholic Church does not support birth control is beceause it PREVENTS life from happening. Celibacy sounds like it would prevent life from happening as well, so it seems a bit silly. But many things the Catholics do seem a bit silly.
2006-06-16 12:40:06 · answer #8 · answered by robbet03 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Celebacy is a choice made by both men & women approaching Holy Orders in the Catholic Church, be they becoming priests or relegious including Brothers and sisters. The decision takes years.
Birth Control is often chosen, not after years of prayer but to prevent sexual misconduct from producing a child.
Get the point?
2006-06-16 12:41:12 · answer #9 · answered by Bishop David F. Milne DD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason for celibacy in priest is different than for contraception. Priest are not supposed to have sex (even with boys) because they are supposed to be pure before God.
The reason for anti-contraception is that it takes away the responsibility of those engaged in sex.
Although some do what they wish anyway.
2006-06-16 12:42:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋