[CondoleezzaProtege]

The birth control revolution has literally changed the world. Today’s couples rarely ponder the fact that the availability of effective contraceptives is a very recent phenomenon in world history. This revolution has set loose a firestorm of sexual promiscuity and much human misery.

Full article at link. Dr. Mohler of course is a Southern Baptist, so he will be reticent to simply re-state and affirm what the Catholic Church laid out so plainly and prophetically in the now 50 year old document 'Humanae Vitae.' (Of Human Life) which reaffirmed the Church's commitment to uphold the sacred and inseparable link between the procreative and unitive dimensions of sex and marriage. This - right as the Pill was released to the public, and abortion would soon be legalized all over the Western world.

When one examines the moral and spiritual chaos of our society today, it's worth considering, what exactly lays at the root of it all? From marital discord, to homosexuality and transgenderism, to #MeToo and the plague of fatherlessness -- it's clear that the implications of the sexual revolution extend far beyond a couple's bedroom or medicine cabinet. (And speaking of medicine cabinet, the *physical* consequences of contraception and lax attitude towards sex cannot be underestimated either: from the rise in STD's to various cancers linked to the pill/IUD's, etc...)

Just a mess all around. And in refusing to question the inherent morality of birth control, much of the Christian witness in the modern world has been invariably compromised for decades.

[fishtank]

More about Al Mohler here:

https://pulpitandpen.org/2019/09/07/something-is-terribly-wrong-at-southern-seminary/

[Halls]

No one should use hormonal birth control. It is an abortifacient. If the birth control fails then it causes an abortion. So therefore no one should use the pill, or any other hormonal birth control.

[ClearCase_guy]

It took me a long time to realize that contraception, such as the pill, is bad for society. I think the Catholic Church gets this much right, at least.

While it is true that “people have always had sex”, I think it is also true that society has rarely been so obsessed with sex. Sex today is just “always good”. If you’re not having constant sex, then “something’s wrong with you”.

In fact, if sex and procreation are linked (as they always have been), society would tend to be a bit more circumspect about sex. We say “sex sells” (it does) and then we surround people with sexuality. Because, you know, that’s how you get rich. That’s probably not a good thing.

A moral society, one which is able to exercise some control over their libido, would help us avoid some of the trouble we see today. That doesn’t mean all the women need to wear hijab. But perhaps some return to moral standards would be a good thing.

[dp0622]

Well i’m no theologian so I’ll leave that to others on the board to discuss.

But I can Definitely Say that looking for your next dopamine hit, whether it be from drugs, booze, gambling, food or sex is going to lead to JUST BAD THINGS and you’re never satisfied.

And when empty “hits” leave you lacking in life, more and more dangerous experiences are needed for the same “hit”.

And then things go downhill Really Fast.

God gave us these wonderful chemicals in our bodies to make us feel good and many of us managed to even screw that up.

[NRx]

I’m Eastern Orthodox and the traditional teaching of the Church on ABC is... no. In fact the Church generally will not marry those who do not want, or who are not ready for a family. In recent years there has been some movement towards a very limited tolerance based on economy (oikonomia) for specific situations such as when a family already has as many children as they can support and/or take care of or where serious health risks may attend pregnancy. However the Church still teaches that the ideal response in such cases is sexual abstinence. But acknowledging the reality that not all couples can live a life of complete continence this concession is sometimes made. Usually it must be discussed with your spiritual father in confession. When ABC is used it must never be abortificiant or involve self mutilation. This generally places the burden on the husband.

Unfortunately, and especially in the West, some of the Orthodox jurisdictions have in practice become quite lax on this point. And it must be admitted that among the laity, respect for the traditional moral teaching of the Church is generally no better than among other Christian denominations including Roman Catholicism which is even stricter and admits no exception at all.

[Mrs. Don-o]

As I have often said in this Religion Forum, I have a high respect for Dr. Albert Mohler. I think he's an incisive thinker, and ---even if we were to dispute a point --- a fair arguer.

Where he falters, here, as I see it, is that while he accepts the overall Biblical/theological argument against the rejection/disabling of natural fertility, he can't quite see how this could apply to "every" act of sexual union.

Bu that's the standard that applies to all other moral choices: they are judged on an "each act" and not an "overall" basis.

I would not bank with a financial institution that said they can't vouch for every transaction being free of intentional fraud, only that their "overall" approach was "in general, honest."

I would not go to a doctor who said that he does not renounce the killing of patients precisely every time, though he is against killing "as a general rule."

I would not support a judge who said he would abide by the Constitution as written "for the most part," but he doesn't feel obliged to follow the Constitution in "each and every case."

I would say that the connection of normal, natural sexual intercourse with the normal, natural pattern of fertility is part of God's design, our "Constitution." And (to borrow a familiar phrase) what God has joined together --- sex and fertility ---- no man should put asunder.

[frogjerk]

Sex without Marriage is like Knowledge without Wisdom.

[ealgeone]

The real issue is abortion, the murdering of the unborn child.

This was gaining momentum in the late 50s and 60s and finally was sadly approved in 1973.

[Campion]

When Pope Paul VI released his famous encyclical outlawing artificial birth control, Humanae Vitae

It should be noted that HV only restated traditional Catholic (and Protestant) teaching. No major Christian group allowed ABC prior to 1930.

[Sequoyah101]

Beat me to it. Once upon a time the Catholic Church came up with the rhythm method and even that was frowned upon by some.

Anybody have any idea why Catholics had so many children? Anybody?

[cloudmountain]

Just a mess all around.

It's a mess because people know that artificial birth control is wrong. But, they wanna do it because they think that having that control will make things better for them.

I suppose it never occurs to them that our good Lord is in charge. Always was. Always will be. So why not go along with our good Lord? He DOES know what's best for us.

[YogicCowboy]

If it induces an abortion, then the answer is: No.

You shall not kill (murder).

Abortion is murder. Next question...

[The Westerner]

Whether you’re a theist or atheist, why would God/nature give women double pleasure, both internal and external, if sexuality was simply an animal act for procreation? Sex is God’s or Nature’s gift to mankind. How else can the “rational animal” survive in 30-60 year marriages? Ain’t easy but sex for bonding and pleasure helps get couples through some difficult times. Of course, that’s my opinion. Luckily we Americans enjoy the exercise of our right to privacy and choice of religion as well as opinion. Sex is good imho and good for us. I agree with moralists who decry that sex has become less a spiritual and happy union between people and moreso a hedonist and animal pursuit.

[ReformationFan]

The same gender sexual behavior cultural revolution of the last three decades never would have happened without the cultural acceptance of birth control and abortions that happened prior to that.

[fwdude]

The UNconstitutional Court edict making contraception a “right” nationwide laid the foundation of the sexual revolution, which had a very large part in destroying this Nation.

[daniel1212]

Full article at link. Dr. Mohler of course is a Southern Baptist, so he will be reticent to simply re-state and affirm what the Catholic Church laid out

But which her flock ignored about as much as evangelicals acted accordingly:

• 73 percent of Catholics rejected Catholic teaching artificial methods of birth control. Catholic World Report; 1997 survey of 1,000 Catholic Americans by Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Connecticut

• Just 15% of U.S. Catholics say that using contraceptives is morally wrong. 41% say that using contraceptives is morally acceptable, while 36% say it is not a moral issue. 37% of Catholics who attend Mass at least once a week say using contraceptives is morally wrong while 33% say it is morally acceptable and 30% say it is not a moral issue. — http://www.pewresearch.org/key-data-points/u-s-catholics-key-data-from-pew-research/#abortion

• 74% of Evangelicals, 73% of Mainline Protestants, and 68% of sexually active Catholics women use birth control. 3% of the Catholics rely on natural family planning. Attendance at religious services and importance of religion to daily life are largely unrelated to use of highly effective contraceptive methods. ^

• 88% of Catholics believe that they can practice artificial means of birth control and still be considered good Catholics. New York Times/CBS News poll, Apr. 21-23, 1994, subsample of 446 Catholics, MOE ± 5%

• 98% of self-identified Catholic women ages 15-44 who have ever had sexual relations have used a method of contraception other than natural family planning at some point in their lives. .” http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/the-claim-that-98-percent-of-catholic-women-use-contraception-a-media-foul/2012/02/16/gIQAkPeqIR_blog.html?wprss=fact-checker

• 40% of 18- to 29-year-old Catholics said the church’s “teachings on sexuality and birth control are out of date.” http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/528-six-reasons-young-christians-leave-church

• 59% of all Catholic women of childbearing age practice contraception—a rate of usage statistically equivalent to that of the general population (60%). Calvin Goldscheider and William D. Mosher, "Patterns of Contraceptive Use in the United States:

• 58% of Catholics 52% if they are voters) believe that employers should be required to provide their employees with health care plans that cover contraception;

• 50% of white Catholics support this requirement, versus 47% who oppose it, along with 38% of white evangelical Protestants an 50% of white mainline Protestants. Public Religion Research Institute, February 2012 http://publicreligion.org/research/2012/02/january-tracking-poll-2012/

  - https://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/chapter-3-demographic-profiles-of-religious-groups/

[Paal Gulli]

There fact that there are numerous predominately Catholic countries where poverty is endemic and large families predominate among the poor but exactly ZERO predominantly Protestant countries where the same conditions occur should tell you the answer to that question.

[boatbums]

It wasn't always a given that Catholic leaders were against birth control. See Fifty Years of the Great Society:

[Antoninus]

Sure. If you want your lineage to become extinct and your country to be taken over by others who actually have children, use birth control. It’s a great idea—if you’re a misanthropist.

[Salvation]

**Should Christians Use Birth Control**

Never!!!

Work with the Lord, “Go forth and multiply.”