Posted on 05/25/2006 9:14:50 PM PDT by nrfcmedia
"Birth Control Is Selfish" ... The Message Society Doesn't Want To Hear
This past weekend graduates of Saint Thomas University were treated to a surprising speech by 21-year-old graduating student Ben Kessler. Some graduates walked out, many jeered, and others spewed profanities in response to his speech.
Just what did he speak of which caused such an outcry? The War in Iraq? Border control? NSA spying? None of the above.
So, what exactly did Mr. Kessler do wrong? He touched society's third rail: contraception. Mr. Kessler had the audacity to call the use of birth control "an act of selfishness."
One would have expected some encouraging applause from the audience, after all St. Thomas is a Catholic institution. The reality is that many of these Catholic students and family members are themselves using contraception, and Mr. Kessler confronted their lifestyle and the use of contraception.
Mr. Kessler dared to speak about this issue and people didn't want to hear his message. What happened to the exchange of ideas universities are famous for? Where were all of the supposed "open minds" at during this speech? Instead of listening to his speech with an open mind, it seems that they were too busy keeping themselves ignorant by jeering and ridiculing him.
Society has a lust affair with birth control to the point of not being able to think outside of the box. We live in a contraception "matrix" where it's impossible to believe that there are any harmful effects on marriage, society, and the health of women.
This "contraception deception" is the primary force behind the attacks against the contra-contraception message.
For the most part, society doesn't want to hear the message. This message is that, in our culture, contraception leads to increases in abortion, teenage sex, affairs (and subsequent divorce), health problems, and statutory rape. These facts are apparent by simply comparing statistics.
Why are people willfully preserving their ignorance? For the past century, people have lived in a society that endorses the practice of a contraceptive lifestyle of easy, commitment free, and on-demand sex without challenging them to question possible adverse effects.
Mr. Kessler could have spoke about the start of a career, the discernment of a vocation, the undertaking of new responsibilities, or many other subjects related to graduation. But hopefully his bold message will help to his classmates to question the force-fed information they have heard all their lives concerning human sexuality and contraception and arrive at a more natural, healthier view of human sexuality.
The contraception debate is long overdue, and it is people like Mr. Kessler who are breaking down the walls of ignorance, selfishness, and deception. Society may be resistant to this message, but over time the truth will prevail.
"If one wishes to "conserve" a way of life, one must first ensure that there are future generations. It's fundamental."
Then the people I said could have twelve are taking care of that. My only criterion as to how many kids people should have is that THEY should be able to support them.
That's OK. I obviously need to work on my "Reductio ad absurdum".
Then how about calling it "NOYFB"? How about that, for a category? :)
For the most part, we have chosen self-genocide.
Yes, abortion plays a role, but in Europe, abortion rates are, for the most part, not extraordinarily high (as opposed to, for instance, Russia), yet the birth rate is far below replacement rate.
Someone needs to talk about this, and I'm glad this brave young man started the public conversation in a big way.
"BTW, you are full of it when it comes to your false charge the Church changed doctrine"
Are you saying that NFP would have been accepted by the Early Fathers?
Maybe it's just me, but I'm not familiar with any official Church letter, encyclical, or statement prior to 1940 that addresses the liceity of spacing births.
Then the people I said could have twelve are taking care of that.
How's that attitude of sloughing off your responsibility to others working in Europe? Hurry up and ask a European before they're gone.
Are you sure you're arguing against the idea that birth control is a form of selfishness?
My only criterion as to how many kids people should have is that THEY should be able to support them.
Children are to viewed primarily as a burden, then?
SD
And for good reason! It is just as wrong to use natural methods for selfish reasons.
SD
"And for good reason! It is just as wrong to use natural methods for selfish reasons. "
true...and still...the Church does allow birth control. The Church does not allow artificial contraception.
Who said that? Not me.
Well, insults are probably not helpful, in my opinion. I mean, I could point out that 'social' conservatives seem to believe in big, intrusive govt to enforce their ideas on others . . . and compare ya'll to Ds too. But I don't think such a silly argument will get us anywhere.
Besides, you're saying the Ds are 'politically conservative'? Methinks your perspective is somewhat out of whack.
The problem you have is with those of us who are not particularly devout Christians . . . if you want a 'Christian' party, that'd be wonderful, and might solve this problem.
But I'd argue that the vast majority of us are *not* devout Christians are put off by the 'God first/Christian Morals first' approach that can cause 'social conservatives' to push for federal powers and laws that many of us would consider to be politically 'liberal'. As in allowing a liberal use of govt powers. Like laws against homosexuals, and prostitution, and the like.
Whether we like it or not, we've been in bed politically for a while now. And without us political conservatives, the R party will crumble to minority status.
Actually one would think their inability to stop having rampant sex is the problem.
I've never heard of women who beleive in the teachings of the church spontanously getting pregnant (ok once).
Apparently every couple will face those grave reasons, since NFP is required of every couple who seeks to marry in many dioceses.
Why is it some people have such a hard time minding their own G-D business? Sheesh!
LOL
America doesn't have just one racial identity. Come on say what you really mean.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.