The section of Humanae Vitae that I am looking at is section eleven titled “Observing the Natural Law.” In this section of the text says, “The sexual activity, in which husband and wife are intimately and chastely united with one another, through which human life is transmitted, is, as the recent Council recalled, "noble and worthy.'' (11) It does not, moreover, cease to be legitimate even when, for reasons independent of their will, it is foreseen to be infertile. For its natural adaptation to the expression and strengthening of the union of husband and wife is not thereby suppressed. The fact is, as experience shows, that new life is not the result of each and every act of sexual intercourse. God has wisely ordered laws of nature and the incidence of fertility in such a way that successive births are already naturally spaced through the inherent operation of these laws. The Church, nevertheless, in urging men to the observance of the precepts of the natural law, which it interprets by its constant doctrine, teaches that each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life. (12)” This section is saying that it is necessary for a husband and wife to have sexual intercourse. It also says that it every time sexual intercourse occurs does not mean that a child will be created. The text says that God is responsible for when a child will be the result of sexual intercourse. This is implying that humans shouldn’t try to prevent this creation, for example when they use birth control. This section also says that men are responsible to ensure that every marital act be in some way connected to creating a new life.
I believe parts of this section are good but also some are bad. I think it is important for a husband and wife to be intimate because that can be an important part of a relationship. However, I disagree with the Pope when he says that people should not use birth control. I believe this because sometimes a husband and wife are not in a financial situation to support a child properly and according to the Pope it is important to give the child what it needs. Also, there are other reasons women take the pill. Some women take it for acne, some take it to make their period regular, and some even take it because they have extremely painful periods. It is also important to note that the increase in the use of birth control by women has significantly helped the decrease in abortions. Abortions in the Catholic faith are not allowed, so in a way the pill has helped the Catholic faith prevent something that they find to be sinful.
Overall the Pope is supporting that with in a marriage there be sexual activity in order to reproduce which is an important part of a marriage. However, there are certain circumstances that need to be taken into account at what point a husband and wife are ready to have children.
I really liked your analysis of this passage. In my opinion, you looked at both sides of the story very well. I agree that there are certain situations, such as financial burdens and health issues, in which it is appropriate to use birth control. Your post reminded me of the family with 19 kids, the Duggars. They are very religious, and believe that God will give them as many children as He see fit. The couple recently suffered a miscarriage of their 20th child. While they are financially stable, and seem to be good parents, I think that perhaps God is trying to tell them that they should be done trying to reproduce. Growing up in the Catholic Church, I was taught that birth control is wrong, but at a certain point, if you had enough kids, you had "done your duty to God", and it would be acceptable to use birth control. I believe that in this age, it is essential for the Church to adjust its standards to keep up with the 'technology of birth control' and with society in general.
ReplyDelete