G.K. Chesterton said of progressives, “They insist on talking about Birth Control when they mean less birth and no control” (“The Thing,” Chapter 6, Obstinate Orthodoxy, par. 3). Since he penned this remark, society’s addiction to artificial birth control has swelled.
Addiction is a very appropriate word as artificial contraception has become an obsession. Statistics suggest that 65% of women in the United States use contraceptives.
Paradoxically, organic and all natural products seem to be the rage. Organic cosmetics and beauty products are highly sought. Farmers and retailers garner premium prices for organic meat and vegetables. Cage free eggs, for instance, fetch a hefty price.
The mantra these days seems to be, “Do not put any hormones in my food!” But, when it comes to sex, women are lining up to put synthetic hormones in their bodies.
Current State of the World
In today’s world, many people seek out medical help to treat fertility as though it were a disease. Many in society seem to view the goal of sex as being nothing more than pleasure with the unfortunate side effect being the creation of new life.
What a reversal in convictions.
In the past, parents looked upon children as a blessing for many reasons. For instance, children helped support the family as they came of age, and then took care of their parents in their old age. Without children, a couple knew that their last days would be full of toil.
The change in attitudes we see today demands assurances that one is cared for in old age by someone other than family. And this is exactly what is happening. It seems many would rather trade the blessing of children for other earthly pleasures. Subsequently this means preferring indifferent strangers looking after them in their old age.
The Dirty Little Secret of Birth Control Pills
Specific to chemical contraceptives, there is a dirty little secret. The intent of chemical contraception is to inhibit ovulation.
If one looks closely at the disclaimers, one will find that women taking the pill “generally” do not ovulate. This means sometimes ovulation does occur. If a child is conceived, the pill continues to influence the menstrual cycle and induces the woman’s period.
This means that the pill is both an ovulation inhibitor and an abortifacient.
Birth control pills also have other rarely discussed side effects, such as changing the brain structure of the woman and shifting social choices. Peddlers of chemical contraception rarely discuss these side effects. One must question if that is intentional.
Infertility as a Status Quo
Contraception has made deliberate infertility the status quo. Many marriages begin with the choice of using artificial contraception. After taking this step, the discussion about starting a family is tabled.
Years may go by before the topic is brought up again. Even then, couples often avoid and dodge this discussion once hooked on the habit of contraception.
Catholics and Contraception
As Catholics, we understand (or at least should understand) that the purpose of sex is procreation with the pleasure it brings as an added bonus. Since this act can create new life, it is sacred and should be reserved for a man and woman committed to each other in the sacrament of marriage.
Be that as it may, many Catholics use contraception. However, statistics are vague at best with respect to the number of practicing Catholics using artificial contraception. Some claims say the number is as high as 99% among Catholics. The authors of these studies use the qualifier “who have ever used a contraceptive method other than natural family planning” when making this claim.
The Catholic Alternative is a Monthly Decision
Natural family planning (NFP) is the all-natural alternative to contraception. This method is supported by the church because it respects God’s design for married love. Couples can use NFP to both attempt or avoid pregnancy.
NFP is centuries old. However, modern science has deepened our understanding of fertility. NFP is simply fertility awareness. One can read a woman’s signs of fertility and infertility through the Sympto-Thermal Method.
A married couple can use this knowledge to achieve or to postpone a pregnancy. One might even call this responsible parenthood.
Practicing NFP is 100% natural. No steroids, drugs, devices, or chemical needed.
NFP also includes a monthly decision. Unlike the habit of contraception, a conscious decision must be made when a woman enters her fertile period. Inherently, NFP reopens the discussion concerning starting (or growing) the family every 4 weeks.
With that said, the practice of NFP has some strict guidelines. If the current goal is pregnancy avoidance, abstaining from sexual intercourse can be challenging.
A married couple cannot allow the practice of NFP to fall solely on the woman. Husbands must be engaged and learn to read their spouse’s signs of fertility. Whether using NFP to avoid or initiate pregnancy, both the husband and wife must be actively involved.
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Author: Genesius
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