In Humane Vitae, Paul VI makes the claim (paragraph 14) that unlawful birth control methods (or contraceptives) are absolutely excluded as lawful means of regulating the number of children and is condemned. It also states that any action before, during or after sex that is intended to prevent procreation is excluded and evil. By using unlawful birth control methods, you are interfering with nature, contradicting the moral order and are deemed unworthy. Take a look at culture today—it is hard to disagree that the majority of people either disagree or disregard this claim. This claim basically states that birth control, vasectomies or hysterectomies, and condoms are unlawful. Plan B, also referred to as the morning-after pill, is a new controversial debate in the United States. Plan B is form of birth control that is to be use within 72 hours of unprotected sex and is intended to prevent pregnancy if other forms of contraception fail or if no contraception was used. It is considered to not be an abortion pill; however there is a debate of whether or not it stops implantation (‘when life starts’) or not. Plan B is currently available to all women ages seventeen years and older without a prescription; however, the FDA recommends that the pill be available over the counter to all women. This includes, women (more so girls) in their early teens. Plan B is stated to have numerous side effects. Dr. Jacques Mortiz states that it is a mix of politics and science.
Once again, take a look at culture today. It is hard to disagree that the majority of people either disagree or disregard this claim. In an ever-changing world that is constantly culturally changing, it is nearly impossible to expect most of the population (more so Americans) to support this claim. Contraceptives have continuously been a controversial issue since the first technology was introduced. How many Christian Americans do you think practice this claim in today’s society? The Guttmacher Institute says that 99% of all women in the United States (aged 15-44) who have ever had sexual intercourse have used AT LEAST one contraceptive method. Shocking? Paul IV’s claim is outdated in present day culture; contraceptives are social constructions that have become a cultural norm. Although it abuses another claim, teens are starting to experiment with sex at younger ages. Sex and contraceptives are socially acceptable and more so than teen pregnancy. Contraceptives still remain controversial political debates, as there exists a gap between politics and religion. The Catholic Church is prolife and as Humane Vitae states is against any unlawful birth control methods. The Catholic Church may support these claims but that does not necessarily mean that all Catholics practice these claims. Using contraceptives are such a normal cultural practice that most do not think twice before using contraceptives. What is accepted and considered normal in our culture is constantly changing, whereas the Humane Vitae’s claims are not. Contraceptives are very important for psychological aspects, and play an important role in relationships. Sex itself has many psychological impacts on an individual; think how much more sex would impact an individual if they did not use contraceptives, especially teens. Contraceptives provide EVERYONE the ability to have a safe, healthy and in most cases positive (psychologically) sexual relationships. The consequence that results from this issue is nature (natural law) over civilization (or cultural norm). It can also be an inner struggle of individual self over belief in a higher being and religion.
I think this part was interesting because I am also learning about contraceptives in my biology class and we are talking about how birth control is seen in some people's view as a form of abortion because it inhibits ovulation and the "natural" way of menstruating. I understand why he would see this as a way of increasing infidelity, but I do not think this is correct because I believe that if people plan to be unfaithful, they would be anyway.
ReplyDeleteBirth control can also be used for other things as well, not necessarily to prevent pregnancy. If this was enforced in our society more people would have unplanned pregnancies and this raises the issue of abortion, which is frowned upon in the Catholic Church. It's better if women take birth control to prevent pregnancy so they won't be put in a a bad predicament.
ReplyDeleteWhen one thinks about it, birth control is also good in the respects of preventing other things that the church frowns upon, because with more unplanned pregnancies come more abortions, which I would believe the Catholic Church sees as worse than preventing the pregnancy from happening itself.
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