Monday, July 4, 2005
Discussion topic: Contraception

This is Alex's views on the weekly discussion topic:

Besides those reasons already stated, contraception destroys the marital act in two additional concrete ways:

1) One of the most beautiful aspects of sex is fertility--the ability to create life with your spouse through the marital act of love. Contraception would eliminate procreation, holding back the fertility and therefore making the act an incomplete gift of self--a lie. No, the "l" in "love" does not stand for "latex." By holding back fertility, one attempts to diminish the act of love that God created for us--he insults God. He also insults his partner because he is telling her he loves her with all of himself, when in fact he is holding back the most beautiful aspect.

2) The second reason is that contraception is most responsible for making premarital sex as commonplace as it is today. Without the fear of having a pregnancy, or getting sexually transmitted diseases, couples (particularly teenage couples) can have sex any day of the week with little or no pressure and all of the pleasure. And none of the comittment, I might add. After contraception was widely legalized, divorce rates skyrocketed:"

Basically, there are two reasons. Contraception allows for marriage to become less child-centered and more focused on the emotional side of marriage. Therefore, people don’t stick together for the child. They stop seeing marriage as intrinsically linked to kids. When problems arise, people think it’s better to divorce — even if they do have kids — because they see marriage in primarily emotional terms.

Second, the introduction of the pill allowed more women to stay in the workforce after they married in ways that they would not have before. Prior to the pill, women typically would have married, had children and stopped working. Thus, after the contraceptive revolution, married women became more career-focused and economically independent. Women thus felt freer to divorce because they had more economic and social resources."(source: http://ccli.org/nfp/morality/socialscientist.php)"

Studies also show that those who have premarital sex are most likely not to get married and if they do get married; they are more likely to divorce than those who have not had premarital sex."
(source: http://www.marriageromance.com/stories/10802697703.htm)

These are both quite alarming statements--are marriages in society taking a bow to sex? The uprise in teen pregnancy seems to suggest this, as does the legalization of contraception, abortion, and same-sex unions (in some countries). Celebrity marriages don't seem to boost the popularity of marriage, either. Let's face it--sexual prudence is unpopular. But it is necessary if we are to have stable societies and maintain the institution of marriage as it needs to be maintained.

Premarital sex is a knife in your future spouse's back. I would know--I've felt this knife. It hurts. And contraception puts this knife in everyone's hands. That's a dangerous thought.

~AleX
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The Evils of Artifical Contraception


First off, the Catholic Church is opposed to all forms of artificial contraception.

In 1968, Paul VI issued his landmark encyclical letter Humanae Vitae (Latin for "Human Life") which reemphasized the Church’s constant teaching that it is always intrinsically evil to use contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence. Simply put, artificial contraception is contrary to the will of God.

Contraception is "any action which, either in anticipation of the conjugal act [sexual intercourse], or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible" (Humanae Vitae 14). This includes sterilization, condoms and other barrier methods, spermicides, coitus interruptus (withdrawal method), the Pill, and all other such methods.

Artificial contraception is wrong because it is opposed to the natural law of God. Some argue we need contraception to cut down on unwanted pregnancy and abortion. But, there should be no sex outside of marriage - fornication - because it is a mortal sin. Even looking at a woman/man lustfully is a sin (Matthew 5:29). Sex outside of marriage is mortally sinful. Only sexual activity between a husband and wife is permissible, and a husband and wife must be open to the transmission of human life. Artificial contraception destroys marital bonds.

Some forms of contraception (such as the morning after pill) can even produce an abortion. These forms of contraception kill upwards of 12 million lives in the US each year. (Source)

St. Thomas Aquinas, who is considered the greatest theologian in the history of the Church, ranks the evil of contraception immediately after that of homicide, in that the first destroys human nature and the second prevents it from coming into being.  (Source: Contra Gentes 1.3, c. 122)

Scripture also condemns contraception:

Gen 1:28, 9:1,7; 35:11 - from the beginning, the Lord commands us to be fruitful ("fertile") and multiply. A husband and wife fulfill God's plan for marriage in the bringing forth of new life, for God is life itself.

Gen. 28:3 - Isaac's prayer over Jacob shows that fertility and procreation are considered blessings from God.

(See More examples)

What about using condoms to stop AIDS?

We still must not use artificial contraception like condoms.

Artificial contraception damages the gift of self. It destroys marital bonds because it prevents the transmission of life. For those who argue condoms should be supported because they will save lives in the fight against AIDS, condoms will not save lives. What is needed is education to change the lifestyles of these people. They must be taught that chastity is to be valued and sexual relations outside of marriage are wrong. This is a must and if we can teach this we can save more lives.

If condoms are allowed then many countries will begin to support sex outside of marriage and I guarantee that AIDS will skyrocket. People do not realize that the AIDS virus is so small that it can be transmitted through a condom. Condoms are not effective.

From a comment in Catholic News Agency article:
We can see from results in Africa that the use of condoms spreads AIDS rather than stopping it. Tanzia went from 3 cases to over 2 million with condom use, while Uganda went from a 30% AIDS rate to only 6%, after it stopped condom use. Clearly condoms spread rather than stop AIDS transmission. The Church is right in rejecting them.
And again it comes down to our faith in the True Church of Jesus Christ. We should seek to understand everything and we must never go against the Church's teachings on faith and morals. As Paul VI proclaimed in his encyclical, Humanae Vitae, artificial contraception is contrary to the will of God.
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Sunday, July 3, 2005
Are you really Catholic?

Precepts of the Catholic Church:

1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.
4. You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.
5. You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.
6. The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his or her abilities.
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How did you find this site?

I just wanted to ask all readers to let me know how you found this site. I'm interested in finding the best way to generate traffic.

Thanks
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How do you proclaim the Gospel?

Each of us has been called by God to go forth and proclaim the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all creatures (Matthew 28:18-20). The word "Gospel" literally means "The Good News", and we all must preach this to all peoples so they may see God's mercy and love. When you preach the Gospel, first and foremost, take St. Francis of Assisi' words to live by: "Preach always, when necessary use words" (St. Francis). I created this website and try to help others with questions on the faith. I try to contribute both time, talent, and treasure. What about you?

Matthew 28:18-20

"And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: 'All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.'"

Image Source: Painting of "Jerusalem, Jerusalem" by James Tissot
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Why Does God Permit Evil?


Q: What is evil?

A: Evil is the absence of God. We have evil in our world because people have free will and some freely reject God and His Commandments to embrace evil. Yet, like all things, free will was created to be good. It is naturally good for a creature to be rational and make it's own decisions. If we happen to suffer because of another's it does not mean that we are not loved by God. God is with us through the sufferings of life. He too came and suffered being betrayed by his friends, denied by Peter, mocked and beaten over the head, stripped of his garments, forced to carry the cross, and crucified. The God of Heaven and Earth was put to death by our sins so that we might have eternal life. And, God through this and all evil works out good.

Q: Why is there so much evil in the world. How could God let this happen?

A: God can draw good from evil. Our world will have pains and sufferings, but there are countless joys in our lives such as our family and friends. There is evil in our world because we are sinners. God permits evil but He does not will it. He permitted Adam to sin in order to send us His Son, Jesus Christ, the greatest of all gifts. When Mary appeared in Fatima in 1917, she revealed to us that punishment for sin includes hunger, persecution of the Church, war, and persecution of the Holy Father. Suffering comes in part because we sin and separate ourselves from God's grace and love. Some suffering come from sin, but not all. We simply must trust God. 

Scripture itself also confirms that the source of all evil comes originally from sin: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12)

Death and destruction do not come from God but rather from the evil one who seeks to damn us all. We can not blame God for the wrongs of the world.

We must realize that Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, came into the world to suffer. The man who healed the sick, feed the hungry, and cured the blind was dragged through the streets like an animal. He was beaten, mocked, reviled, and insulted. The Creator of Heaven and earth became the Man of Sorrows - rejected by His own people. He was forced to carry His Cross, have his back and face disfigured for our sins, and be nailed to a Cross. Our God suffered for us. Not a mere man - but Our God suffered. Nothing we can suffer will ever amount to the pain that Our Lord, who is God-made Man, felt. For it was not just the nails that pierced Him but every single sin committed in the history of the world. 

To read a detailed account of Our Lord's suffering, find a copy of The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. If Our Lord Himself felt this, certainly we too must accept suffering. Jesus said, "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:38). Look to Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, and Luke 14:2 for similar messages.

Offer up your sufferings to God for in the end, all things will be beautiful and new in the Resurrection to come.

We can learn much from this reflection in the Roman Catechism:
Thus that admirable man, Job, when violently injured by the Sabeans, the Chaldeans, and by Satan, took no account of these, but as a righteous and very holy man exclaimed with no less truth than piety: The Lord gave, the Lord has taken away. The words and the example of that man of patience should, therefore, convince Christians, and the conviction is most just, that whatever chastisements we endure in this life come from the hand of God, the Father and Author of all justice and mercy. He chastises us not as enemies, but, in His infinite goodness, corrects us as children. To view the matter in its true light, men, in these cases, are nothing more than the ministers and agents of God. One man, it is true, may cherish the worst feelings towards another, he may harbor the most malignant hatred against him; but, without the permission of God, he can do him no injury. This is why Joseph was able patiently to endure the wicked counsels of his brethren, and David, the injuries inflicted on him by Semei.? Here also applies an argument which St. Chrysostom has ably and learnedly handled. "It is that no man is injured but by himself. Let the man, who considers himself injured by another, consider the matter in the right way and he will certainly find that he has received no injury or loss from others. For although he may have experienced injury from external causes, he is himself his greatest enemy by wickedly staining his soul with hatred, malevolence and envy” (cf. 5th Commandment).
Pope Benedict XVI expressed a similar message when he wrote, "Jesus, whose divine love alone can redeem all humanity, wants us to share his Cross so that we can complete what is still lacking in his suffering (cf. Col 1:24). Whenever we show kindness to the suffering, the persecuted, and defenseless, and share in their sufferings, we help to carry that same Cross of Jesus. In this way, we obtain salvation and help contribute to the salvation of the world" (Pope Benedict XVI in "Let God's Light Shine Forth" edited by Robert Moyhihan. Page 99).
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Weekly Discussion Topic One!

I'm going to start a weekly discussion topic , which will provide a Catholic viewpoint some issue concerning the Church. This week, starting tomorrow, will be on contraception.

I along with Alex and Auron will post our opinions, and I would like anyone interested to come here and comment on those posts and others. I will begin tomorrow. See you there

Thanks.
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Friday, July 1, 2005
A Weekly Discussion Topic...

After thinking about how to interest people in the blog I decided to begin a weekly discussion topic. This discussion will center around issues concerning the Church as well as moral teachings on some controversial issues. I have yet to decided what the first topic will be, but it will begin on Monday.

I have recently added two members to this blog making the total three members. I feel this will provide discussion and debate, which is much better than just me telling my opinions. I also feel that three is a fair number, and I plan to keep the number of members at three at least for the immediate future.

Concerning the weekly topics, I along with my fellow two members will be posting our position on the topic with opinions, facts, and web links, and I encourage all readers to also contribute to the discussion. The discussion will provide everyone here, including myself, a deeper understanding of his or her faith while it will hopefully promote more traffic to this site.

I will start a new poll every Sunday so please vote in the poll each week by clicking on the voting button at the bottom of the right hand column.
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Miracles of the Rosary


"Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world." Pope Pius IX

The Rosary goes back to the very first centuries when the early Christians recited the 150 consecutive Hail Mary's to the Blessed Virgin, though it was done without the beads that we use today. This devotion was known in the early Church as the 150 psalms to Jesus and Mary, prefigured by the 150 Psalms of the Old Testament.

In 1214 the Blessed Virgin actually appeared to St. Dominic in his chapel and handed him the beads of the Rosary with the commission that he spread this age-old devotion throughout the world. Through the power of the Rosary he went about preaching and converting thousands everywhere, as he cast out devils, cured the sick, and even raised the dead to life on three occasions. And to think that we have these pearls of grace at our disposal today. With the Rosary we hold the power of God in our hands.

No Catholic should be ignorant of the Rosary. While not required under penalty of sin, all Catholics should nevertheless make it a part of their routine to offer at least five decades of the Holy Rosary every single day, as our Blessed Mother requested in 1917. This request was accompanied by miracles as further proof of their supernatural origin.

Some of the many Rosary miracles include:

  1. The Miracle during the Battle of Lepanto
  2. The Rosary Miracle at Hiroshima
  3. The Miracle of the Sun
  4. The Expelling of the Soviets from Austria
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