Posted on 03/25/2010 10:36:33 AM PDT by NYer
It is common to hear Humanae Vitae referred to as a "prophetic" document. This is because Pope Paul VI made several predictions as to what would happen to our society if contraception became the norm. He hit each one spot on.
For a reminder of what Paul VI wrote, I will quote directly from Humanae Vitae, with emphasis added:
Here is a summation of his predictions:17. Responsible men can become more deeply convinced of the truth of the doctrine laid down by the Church on this issue if they reflect on the consequences of methods and plans for artificial birth control. Let them first consider how easily this course of action could open wide the way for marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards. Not much experience is needed to be fully aware of human weakness and to understand that human beings—and especially the young, who are so exposed to temptation—need incentives to keep the moral law, and it is an evil thing to make it easy for them to break that law. Another effect that gives cause for alarm is that a man who grows accustomed to the use of contraceptive methods may forget the reverence due to a woman, and, disregarding her physical and emotional equilibrium, reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection.
Finally, careful consideration should be given to the danger of this power passing into the hands of those public authorities who care little for the precepts of the moral law. Who will blame a government which in its attempt to resolve the problems affecting an entire country resorts to the same measures as are regarded as lawful by married people in the solution of a particular family difficulty? Who will prevent public authorities from favoring those contraceptive methods which they consider more effective? Should they regard this as necessary, they may even impose their use on everyone. It could well happen, therefore, that when people, either individually or in family or social life, experience the inherent difficulties of the divine law and are determined to avoid them, they may give into the hands of public authorities the power to intervene in the most personal and intimate responsibility of husband and wife.
Societies socialize children about many things, including sex. Socialization is costly. It uses scarce resources, such as time and effort. Parents weigh the marginal gains from socialization against its costs. Those at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale indoctrinate their daughters less than others about the perils of premarital sex, because the latter will lose less from an out-of-wedlock birth. Modern contraceptives have profoundly affected the calculus for instilling sexual mores, leading to a de-stigmatization of sex. As contraception has become more effective there is less need for parents, churches and states to inculcate sexual mores. Technology affects culture.Notice a few things. Science proves that Paul VI was right - contraception leads to a lessening of moral values.
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I don't really need to add anything. It's all crystal clear.
The Holy Spirit revealed to Pope Paul VI what would happen - not that common sense couldn’t have deduced it.
Of course Pope Paul was right. His predictions were perfectly logical and well based in common sense. Good to see the social sciences (academically very leftist) agree and as a Sociology major, always thought they’d one day prove conservatives correct, if they stuck to intellectual honesty.
I hope this thread gets more views, it deserves a wide audience.
The truth is very simple.
Here’s a well deserved BUMP, for the truth. : )
NOw if someone wouls post an argument, we could reply...
;-)
I gotta crawl to bed, tired lately.
Good night!
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