StephInTX

Yes, that point seemed most compelling to me as well. The question is how to get the message across to those who don't already agree....

http://www.jimrigby.org/ten-things-i-wish-the-church-knew-about-homosexuality/

Thanks for the welcome, Norm! The book you recommended sounds very interesting....gonna put it on my list. Thanks again...

Thanks, Jenell!

Increasing awareness: it's all about love.

Namaste! I appreciate the warm welcome.

Thanks, Joseph and George, for the welcome messages. I'm really liking it here already....

Thanks, Paul and Yvonne.

Hi there...I'm new, and did just post an introduction in the other folder. Figured that would be appropriate before jumping in here. ;-) While I am not Catholic, I think I might be able to shed some light on the Catholic position regarding contraception. My husband and I have dealt with years of infertility, and after the more western approaches to infertility didn't work for us, I wanted to learn an approach that was more natural. I sought out the field of Natural Family Planning, which is the distant (and much more scientifically sound) grandchild of the rhythm method. It was developed by Catholics to be a more reliable avenue than the rhythm method of avoiding pregnancy when there are "grave reasons" to do so (this is decided by each couple, and might include reasons like health concerns in pregnancy, financial difficulties, etc.). The models (there are a number of them) can be used to avoid pregnancy or achieve pregnancy. They all center around increasing awareness of women's natural cycles, and planning intercourse on days that will help the couple conceive or avoid conception, according to their need. The theological basis (per my understanding) is that marital intercourse must be both "unitive and procreative." Modern orthodox Catholics (at least the ones I know) would disagree that sex isn't meant to be pleasurable, but would say that contraception separates those two functions. They believe that barrier methods disrupt both aspects, and hormonal birth control interferes with the procreative aspect as well as potentially causing implantation not to occur after fertilization does (considered an early aborition). This is definitely a very divisive issue even among Catholics who are very serious about their faith, and as someone else said, many Catholics persue sterilization or use some form of birth control even though they are aware of the teaching. My reasons for using NFP are completely secular, but the vast majority of users I know are doing it because of the CC's teachings.

Hi all... I've been poking around a bit (still have a lot of reading to do), and I figured I should join and introduce myself before chiming in and contributing to a discussion I found interesting in another folder. My name is Stephanie, and I live in Austin, TX. I grew up evangelical fundamentalist (Southern Baptist), and was extremely enthusiastic about my faith well into my twenties. My BA is in religion with an emphasis in youth and children's ministry (about all women could do in Southern Baptist churches at that time), and I completed a year of study at a very conservative evangelical seminary. I felt called to ministry throughout my teen years and well into my twenties, so I assumed I would meet and marry a minister or missionary and be his "helpmate," since that was how women ministered in those circles. Happily, that was not to be the case. I went through a long and traumatic process of losing my faith in my mid-twenties. My faith had been such a huge part of my life that it left a gaping hole -- and I soon began learning about other religions and spiritual practices. Learning about the various branches of Paganism helped me to be more connected to nature and to my power as a woman, learning about Buddhism helped me to understand more about the relationship between my attachments and suffering as well as compassion and social justice, and exploring Sufi poetry helped me to fall in love with God again.....allbeit a God who looked very different from the one I grew up worshipping. In my late twenties I stumbled upon a New Thought community (part of the Centers for Spiritual Living movement). I was immediately drawn to the idea that all paths were leading to the same destination, the belief that the only separation we can have from God and each other is the illusory one that we believe exists, and the belief that it is important to examine one's personal beliefs and thoughts and release that which is no longer helpful. I am still part of a CSL community, although less actively than before. The teaching that consciousness is cause, and that our physical experiences are simply an outpicturing of our own consciousness doesn't resonate for me as much as it used to. A few months ago, my husband and I started attending a universally-minded Episcopal community here, and we started doing some reading about progressive Christianity (i.e. Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault), and we enjoy the people in that community very much. I also really enjoy the ritual aspect of the liturgy, even though I don't resonate with all of the content. We're currently in the process of feeling out how involved we want to be where, and how we want to focus our energy on spiritual pursuits. So, that was longer than I intended it to be....I promise not to always be so wordy. :-) I look forward to getting to know y'all and having many stimulating and thought-provoking exchanges. Stephanie