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/

Increasing awareness: it's all about love.

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.