by moogdroog » December 27th, 2008, 3:21 pm
Here is a transcript of a talk called 'Contraception, Why Not', if anyone is interested. I hope it goes some way in helping explain the seeming 'oddity' of the Church's position on contraception:
Edit: I don't think Ben is casting judgement on anyone here. If you disagree with someone's stance on something, it doesn't mean you are casting judgement on them. People get emotive about this issue because it usually strikes very close to home. It's the same with homosexuality, although I don't want to get into discussing that debate further - when a practising Catholic says 'actually, I disagree with homosexual sexual behaviours', then most listeners will get terribly offended and think that that Catholic is a) completely backwards and b) has something against gay/homosexual people. In the same way, saying 'I don't support contraception' gets the collective social gasp of a) you are completely backwards and b) you therefore must have something against people who contracept.
THS was also a 'springboard' for me in considering the morality of contraception. It was very, very difficult for me to consider the 'other side' of the story to contraception and contraceptive practices. I have grown up in a generation where not only contraception is supported and endorsed, but it is entirely the norm. I would venture to say the vast majority, even nearly all, of people contracepting are not doing it for health reasons, but for convenience. THS (written by an Anglican, and by someone who writes elsewhere that he doesn't want to talk about contraception) opened up the idea to me of how contraception can affect a marriage.
All I am saying is that I think it is good to consider both sides of debate in a non-judgemental way. Just because I don't agree with contraception, it doesn't mean I'm judging people who do agree with it. I'm aware of the many, well-argued and well-reasoned arguments for it. However, in western society, the reasons *why not* to contracept are hardly ever considered, or publicly talked about. I think if you *do* support contraception, then it's not a bad idea to understand some of the reasons why people don't. It doesn't mean you have to agree with them at all. Just means you contribute towards a greater understanding of other people, other beliefs and other ways of doing things, which can only help us act in more loving ways towards our neighbours.