Teh interesting (non-PHL-related) news stub thread

[Twin-Skies]

Worrying "Humanae Vitae" by John Nery
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropin...anae-Vitae

In it, the author criticizes the encyclical which the church stance on contraception is based upon. I believe you would need to have at least a little background in theology to understand this piece fully. We UA&P grads were required to have it, (un?)fortunately.

UA&P is Opus Dei, right? Just asking.

I'm reading through part of Humanae Vitae at the moment:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_v...ae_en.html

My initial critcisms:

The natural birth control method - I assume it means the "Rhythm method" - the letter calls for has been repeatedly proven by research to be unreliable. I picked this topic up back in college, and even the priest lecturing pointed it out. He did point out another natural means, though I forget what it is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm_meth...ilure_rate

Section 17
Second - the letter assumes that resorting to artificial birth control will make people trivialize sex as a passtime for enjoyment rather than as a genuine act of love within a married couple.

To quote:

Not much experience is needed to be fully aware of human weakness and to understand that human beings—and especially the young, who are so exposed to temptation—need incentives to keep the moral law, and it is an evil thing to make it easy for them to break that law. Another effect that gives cause for alarm is that a man who grows accustomed to the use of contraceptive methods may forget the reverence due to a woman, and, disregarding her physical and emotional equilibrium, reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection.

The problem is that people will still commit this sort of atrocity despite, not because, of contraceptives. Rapists come to mind, as do abusive spouses. What about the illegitimate kids that result from these unions? Specifically regarding our bishops: Since when did proper sex education become equated to teaching our youth more likely to break moral law? A law is best respected if it is understood.

Like it or not, the chuch has to understand that one element of a succesfuly marriage is a healthy sex life. There is a reason it's called consumating the union after all. To leave a couple to just abstinence and an utterly unreliable birth control system is just begging most marriages to break down.

Contrary to theological teachings you ask? Funny - I learned this point from a theology professor, who stressed a similar point how a healthy sex life is a habitual confirmation of the Sacrament of Matrimony. As he said : Sex is gutt!

Look for a professor Markus Locker if you're ever in ADMU. He's German, hence the accent.