Should the Roman Catholic Church change its current position of forbidding the use of contraception?

Question

Please provide the reason for your answer.

Answer 1

No. Contraception is neither healthy nor necessary in planning a family, because God wisely created the female body in a wonderously cyclical way. She can't get pregnant every day of the month, and her body gives her signs as to when ovulation is about to happen (each woman's set of signs are different). It's simply a matter of learning the signs and planning accordingly. It's easy, it's free, and it's very effective.

Answer 2

I'm not sure your choice of word "forbidding" is correct - Actually, it's more like a sanction against. But we don't get excommunicated for being Roman Catholic and practicing non-sanctioned methods of birth control.

No, I don't think the Roman Catholic Church should change its current position on this issue - But I do believe people should learn more about what that position is from the horse's mouth.

I think this because when we altar the chemical and hormonal balance of our bodies so we can use our bodies exclusive of some functions we are built (created) for, that is a symptom of putting our own wants (our will) ahead of the way our bodies are formed to function (opposed to God's will). It is a form of polluting the body, and it is a result of unhealthy attitudes we carry toward sexuality and intimacy.

By standing by the position of artificial birth control being non-sanctioned, the Roman Catholic Church upholds a crucial red flag to prompt us to deeply examine our consciences and attitudes and beliefs. The Church also upholds the dignity of mankind in the face of degrading statements like "sex is a basic human need on a par with food, water, oxygen". Such statements imply that we do not have intellect or reason or capacity to love beyond that of a bunny rabbit.

The Church's stand on this issue is a blessing.

Answer 3

Absolutely not!! And thanks for "outing" some more anti-catholics. It never ceases to amaze me how much ignorance and hatred there is towards my church.

Although I think your question has already been sufficiently answered I will just re-emphasize some of the important points already made. The first of course is that sex outside of marriage is nothing more than a couple mutually using each other. We are not animals, and we can control our sexual desires. If we can't then we completely cheapen and abuse the act. Also, contraception was not made to liberate women, it was made so that lustful men could easily use women without fear of consequences. The history of it all is quite interesting.

Furthermore, in a world where STD's and teenage pregnancies rise every year, do you think it may be possible that the world has got it wrong on sex, and not the Catholic church.

If you want a biblical basis for such teaching just look up the story of Onan in Gensis.
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1991/9107chap.asp

God killed Onan for using his own form of contraception. I don't know about you but I think God is trying to tell us something with that.

Personally I am 28 years of age and I'm getting married in less than two weeks. I have remained a virgin my entire life, and I cannot tell you the blessings it has given me. And on my wedding night I will truely only be sharing the gift of myself with my wife.

If you really would like to understand the church's teaching on contraception then you must understand the Theology of the Body. A guy named Christopher West has done some excellent work in this area. I would highly recommend buying one of his books, or at the very least read some of the articles he has written (for free) at this website.

http://www.christopherwest.com/

Answer 4

No, they should not, because they are right. Contraception, when practiced merely for pleasure and convenience (as is the case the vast majority of the time), degrades children by establishing within the family a mindset that sees them as "in the way" and undesirable. In doing so, it turns the whole purpose and blessing of marriage on its head.

In my opinion, it is possible that the Catholic Church could build upon their current position to develop guidelines for extraordinary circumstances; but the assumption must always be that birth control for pleasure and convenience is wrong.

Also, the Catholic Church cannot and will not ever tolerate any form of birth control that intervenes after conception.

Answer 5

Hello,

Yes, I think they should allow it but it is not out rightly forbidden. There is a lot more to sex than just making babies or we'd all have 20 - 30 in life. Sex, even in the confines of marriage also reduces tension and is a natural strong appetite so to speak. There are also cases where a couple may be carrying genetic disorders and not having a baby would be better.

That said, the Catholic church over the last 40 years discourages birth control and asks that you consider their point of view but it has not been out rightly condemned and the pope has not ever spoken ex-cathedra about it.
You are to follow your own conscience and go from there.

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 6

They don't have to, they have already justified their position. Wether or not we follow that position is our choice.

Their position - sex is an intimate act that should only be practiced between a married man and a married woman (of course, married to each other) for the means of procreation. Sex outside of marriage can be fun, but may lead to complications that eventually end up on Jerry Springer show.

The use of contraception goes againt the act of sex being for procreation. Sex then becomes merely a selfish act of pleasure. Therefore, for the church to change its stance on contraception, it must change its stance on marriage and sex first. I doubt that will ever happen.

Of course someone can always start their own religion that openly accepts contraception, like the church of the Magnum XLs or something like that.

Answer 7

of course not! then they would be contradicting themselves. it's like telling everyone that you can have pre-marital sex. or telling couples you can have sex for fun and not just for pro-creation (which according to them, shouldn't be. don't ask me)

the catholic church should not change their position on the contraception issue.. the only thing worse than a meddling religion is to make that meddling illogical and contradictory to their own teachings. It's like your priest saying "thou shalt not kill" and "thou shall not steal" but if someone steals from you then its ok to shoot them. I dont follow what they have to say, but I know that the church is here after thousands of years because they're a little smarter than that. to negate themselves would be like telling people "oh you know what, mass isn't that important after all... why dont you guys just enjoy your sundays instead of wasting an hour here doing the same thing over and over every sunday."

Answer 8

Might want to ask God that? The Catholic Church just follows what God has said. If you want to change God's word , go right ahead, but the Catholic Church will not

Answer 9

Why? To be more "relevant"?

People seem to have a distorted view of just why the Church does not sanction the use of artificial means of birth control. First of all, many Christian denominations are in agreement with the Church on the basics of sexuality: 1) All unmarried Christians are called to chastity (celibacy); 2) the only proper expression of the sexual act is within marriage; 3) married Christians are called to fidelity, and also to keep their physicial relationship open to the possibility of new life.

The Church is not intending to impose its sanctions against birth control upon non-Catholics, although arguably it would be to their benefit (STDs would not be quite as rampant and unwed pregnancies as prevalent), but to the faithful.

Contrary to popular thought, the Church does not view a married couple's physical relationship as solely for the purpose of procreation. In other words, the Church is all for the closeness and pleasure of that physical relationship, which is one of God's gifts to us -- in its proper place.

A married couple wishing to space the births of their children for valid reasons can use one of the NFP methods -- which have a proven success rate, if used properly and consistently, at least equal to "the pill" without tampering or interfering with our body chemistry (and with no ominous side effects, either).

Pope Paul VI spelled out in detail the Church's position on artificial methods of birth control in his encyclical "Humanae Vitae". Later, Pope John Paul II -- addressing the apparent need of contemporary culture for overall guidance -- developed his "theology of the body". Links to both are below.

It's not the Church that needs to change; it's the culture that seeks remedies for the consequences of selfish and/or indiscriminate sexual behavior rather than changing the behavior itself.

Answer 10

Yes, its illogical, and even more immoral.

TRUE Christians believe in what is best for man and womankind.

*and i come across a TRUE christian about every 10 years. Most that claim the "title" are the PURE OPPOSITE, despite their claims and outlandish preaching. No good God would -ever- say such things or have such condemnimg , hateful followers.

These laws were written in a time where it was necessary ot populate the Earth not only for the preservation of our kind, but more the preserevation of the religion.

That was 2,000 years ago. There is no TRUE follower of Christ that believes in this is what God wants now. AIDs, starvation, genocide.... yet the Pope sends missionaries only. Just shows how man has f*cked up what is the truth in "God".

BTW, I'm agnostic, purely. And I know of any true Christian (or other religion) who believes this is right.

It's very sad when it takes a "supermodel" in a HEAVY Catholic country to really get people to see this (Giselle Bundchen in Brazil- she's a cultural goddess there, and publicly said that it was wrong after the pope visited).