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I was raised catholic, am now an agnostic but not because of the church. Just because I never believed it.
But, from what I see of catholics that I am related to and/or are friends with.....yes, they try to live by the rules set forth by the church. Rules such as going to mass especially on holy days of obligation and that sort of thing. Really no different then obeying the ten commandments.
Now where it gets dicey is birth control. The largest catholic family that I know has four children. Obviously birth control is happening. The way this is squared was explained by a very wise parish priest. He said that the pope is not god, but the pope is here to explain gods will. Doesn't mean he always gets it right. In the end, if you go about your life with the intention of not hurting or harming yourself or others Jesus would be pleased.
A very wise man that priest.....too bad noone ever wants to talk about or remember the good ones, eh?
Given that the church has been opposed to artificial birth control throughout its entire history, and with well-justified reasons, I don't think the priests explanation holds up well.
However, the church allows parents (with just rationale for doing so) to space their children or even avoid having children with Natural Family Planning (NFP), which is quite effective, or simply by agreeing to abstain. I do agree, however, that the church's prohibition on artificial birth control is its most counter-cultural teaching, since unlike with abortion or even pre-marital sex, there is very little condemnation of contraception outside the church, even from conservative circles.
Easy for me, as a non-catholic to say "who cares what the Pope thinks?", but I'm curious how Catholics feel when the Vatican makes a statement on abortion, or similar topics. So, Catholics, do you follow what the Pope says? Do you try? Only sometimes? I'm curious.
A consideration, but only as a respected perspective.
Given that the church has been opposed to artificial birth control throughout its entire history, and with well-justified reasons, I don't think the priests explanation holds up well.
However, the church allows parents (with just rationale for doing so) to space their children or even avoid having children with Natural Family Planning (NFP), which is quite effective, or simply by agreeing to abstain. I do agree, however, that the church's prohibition on artificial birth control is its most counter-cultural teaching, since unlike with abortion or even pre-marital sex, there is very little condemnation of contraception outside the church, even from conservative circles.
The church has reasons for what it does, and catholics accept that.
However, married couples also have reasons for what they do or do not do. A wise parish priest understands this. A wise wife knows her limitations in regards to how many children she can handle and how many children are financially feasible.
NFP is not infallible, depending on the womans cycle it may not even work at all. It is great for couples who do not mind the likelyhood of adding an oops to their brood.
I come down on the side of practicality. People who cannot afford large families should not be encouraged to have them. And I am not talking about people who would choose between another child and buying a mercedes...I am talking about the families throughout the world who are in the position of knowing another child means less food for them all. Putting families in such corners will cause abortions which I find morally repugnant. To cut down on abortions (not to mention suffering and poverty) then the Pope ought to make condoms a legitimate option.
I was raised catholic, am now an agnostic but not because of the church. Just because I never believed it.
But, from what I see of catholics that I am related to and/or are friends with.....yes, they try to live by the rules set forth by the church. Rules such as going to mass especially on holy days of obligation and that sort of thing. Really no different then obeying the ten commandments.
Now where it gets dicey is birth control. The largest catholic family that I know has four children. Obviously birth control is happening. The way this is squared was explained by a very wise parish priest. He said that the pope is not god, but the pope is here to explain gods will. Doesn't mean he always gets it right. In the end, if you go about your life with the intention of not hurting or harming yourself or others Jesus would be pleased.
A very wise man that priest.....too bad noone ever wants to talk about or remember the good ones, eh?
thank you for that explanation. Birth control is what I've been most curious about. I don't know a single Catholic that doesn't use it.
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