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Today, many couples use some form of birth control. Most unmarried couples who have intercourse use birth control. But no contraceptive is foolproof, abortion is simply the extension of failed contraception. We know too, that the contraceptive pills are in fact often abortifacient. Thus, the connection between contraception and abortion is undeniable.
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In order to contracept, couples do two things: 1) consciously intent to contracept; and 2) take definite measure, e.g., swallow pills, wear condoms, and so on, to prevent conception. There are valid reasons for a couple to decide birth spacing, one is the health of the mother. But the end does not justify the means. There is a world of difference between contraception and Natural Family Planning (NFP). NFP is morally acceptable because it fully respects the dignity of the persons and the sacredness of the marital act. Morality applies to everyone and to every sphere of human activity.
Morality deals with human choices and human acts. Choosing to do wrong involves sin. To sin means that we intend to do evil. Sin is more than making a mistake, like adding numbers incorrectly. Sin is not "getting caught" for a crime but, rather, the willingness to commit a wicked deed. Sin involves God. If there were no God, we would not speak of sin but rather of mistakes, poor judgment, lack of prudence and expediency. When we sin we deliberately choose to act against God's moral law.
There are two essential meanings of the marital act: the unitive (love-giving) and the procreative (life-giving). God is the Author of all life and all love. If we want to express our sexuality authentically, honestly and humanly, then we will do so according to God's plan.\par True love requires the total gift of self. Lust implies that we are determined to obtain what we want when we want it. But love means we can express our sexual passions in a manner that seeks union, reverences and desires the well-being of the beloved, and embraces a willingness to lay down one's very life if necessary. Contraception goes wrong in many directions. It is wrong because:
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It is a serious evil with disastrous consequences.
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It breaks the intrinsic connection between the unitive and procreative dimensions of the marital act.
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It considers the periodic abstinence required by NFP to be harmful to marriage and sexual urge to be virtuous.
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It regards self-sacrifice as a nuisance.
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It elevates the pursuit of pleasure to the highest principle of marriage, disparaging self -discipline and self-denial.
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It reduces the beloved to an object, a ready source of pleasure.
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It attacks fertility as unhealthful, seeing illness where there is none.
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It abuses medicine and the medical profession. It leads directly to abortion; in fact, we have noted, much of so called contraception involves very early abortion, e.g., Pill, IUD, Norplant and Depo-Provera.
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It says to God: You are not the Lord of life in our marriage, and we will not collaborate with You in bringing new children into Your kingdom.
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It sets a horrible example for youth, who logically ask why they cannot enjoy sterile sex if adults can.
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It legitimizes other sterile acts such as homosexual and other perversions.
Contraception is truly an attack on marriage and on family life, leading to moral decay of an entire society.
(Source: Fr. Matthew Habiger OSB, PhD, Human Life International, Jan. 1993)
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Pharmacists for Life
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Earthquake more painful in a country of mainly one-child families
