Should the Roman Catholic Church change the forbidding use of contraception? (moral, birth control)

[Hacker]

Do you think they should change their position on the forbidden use of barrier methods to avoid pregnancy, such as the birth control, etc? Why or why not? What are the pros and cons? Do you think the use of contraceptives is a sin?

[Sunstone]

I don't think it's any of my business to tell the Catholic Church what to do, but at the same time, I'd be very happy if they took a more pragmatic line on contraceptive use. Especially the use of barrier contraceptives to prevent AIDS.

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I don't think it's any of my business to tell the Catholic Church what to do, but at the same time, I'd be very happy if they took a more pragmatic line on contraceptive use. Especially the use of barrier contraceptives to prevent AIDS.

I understand that it isn't anyone's business to tell the Catholic churches what to do and I wasn't implying that you would have to say anything to them verbally at all, I just want opinions about it.

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by tlcmel

I understand it isn't anyone's business to tell the Catholic churches what to do and I wasn't implying that you would have to say anything to them verbally at all, I just want opinions about it.

Of course. I didn't mean to sound snotty. My opinion on birth control and contraceptives in general is the more the better, especially given the world's overpopulation and the prevalence of STDs. So, I'm pretty much personally opposed to the Church's doctrines on them.

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Of course. I didn't mean to sound snotty.

It wasn't taken that way.

[Ozzie]

Originally Posted by tlcmel

Do you think they should change their position on the forbidden use of barrier methods to avoid pregnancy, such as the birth control, etc? Why or why not? What are the pros and cons?

Yes. No cons

[Revasser]

I think this is perhaps one of a few issues where everyone, non-Catholics included, should be trying to tell the RCC what to do.

If these methods only prevented pregnancy, than perhaps it could wait until overpopulation really starts to bite more than it is at the moment. But condoms especially also go a long way toward impeding the spread of of STDs, the most prominent of which in this context is HIV. I think we're all probably aware of the HIV epidemic in Africa. I think we're also probably aware of the power the Roman Catholic Church has in many parts of Africa. With the RCC in Africa spreading misinformation about condom use and touting it as a sin, HIV is spreading much faster than if the population were educated in and encouraged to use barrier contraception.

In the West where people have many sources for information and are generally comparatively well-educated, this is not such a problem. In less developed places where the people don't have a lot of access to good education or even many sources of information, especially abouy sex, and the Church is a real here-and-now authority, it becomes a huge problem.

In my opinion, doctrine or not, the Church's position on this is not a moral one. It bears some responsibility for the spread of HIV in Africa and should be pressured to change its position.

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by Revasser

I think this is perhaps one of a few issues where everyone, non-Catholics included, should be trying to tell the RCC what to do.

If these methods only prevented pregnancy, than perhaps it could wait until overpopulation really starts to bite more than it is at the moment. But condoms especially also go a long way toward impeding the spread of of STDs, the most prominent of which in this context is HIV. I think we're all probably aware of the HIV epidemic in Africa. I think we're also probably aware of the power the Roman Catholic Church has in many parts of Africa. With the RCC in Africa spreading misinformation about condom use and touting it as a sin, HIV is spreading much faster than if the population were educated in and encouraged to use barrier contraception.

In the West where people have many sources for information and are generally comparatively well-educated, this is not such a problem. In less developed places where the people don't have a lot of access to good education or even many sources of information, especially abouy sex, and the Church is a real here-and-now authority, it becomes a huge problem.

In my opinion, doctrine or not, the Church's position on this is not a moral one. It bears some responsibility for the spread of HIV in Africa and should be pressured to change its position.

You made some very good points!

[Mister Emu]

Nope...

I believe I remember a thread where Victor posted information about this(Edit: The African aids situation)... Vic can you help either way?

[Bishka]

Nope. It's the RCC perogative to say what they want and do what they want.