My comments started on this thread by trying to expose what I see is a double standard Catholicism has in the area of procreation in marriage. I adamantly reject any methods that destroy human life and is why BC pills and IUDS, not to mention abortion, are things Christian couples should never consider. However, the so-called "barrier" methods don't seem to me to be a violation of God's purposes.
I had a professor in college who was a pacifist so much so that he stated he would not use any kind of weapon even if it was to protect the lives of his wife and children. He believed that this was the "ultimate" example of trusting God in all things. Can you see a problem with this kind of thinking and the extent to which some people will take the concept of trusting in God? Just as I have a way to protect my family in the case of a break in, use medications to help stay healthy and have undergone surgeries to correct physical problems I had, so too do I believe God has given us common sense and medical discoveries to help us and to live healthier lives to better serve him.
The sexual relationship between husbands and wives is a GIFT from God, meant to draw us closer to each other as well as to bring children into the family. I don't think planning for children in smart ways - being responsible for making sure they are well cared for and provided for - dishonors God in any way. It still accepts that it is God who "opens and closes the womb" and that his will WILL be done in all things. We definitely have a problem in the world where sexual activity is taken out of the context of marriage and Satan has perverted God's plan for a healthy society. Millions of children are born who have NO ONE who cares for them. They are abused and cast aside like trash as are the millions who have been aborted before they took their first breath. We have a disrespect for life which has deteriorated ALL of society in many ways. This terrible dysfunction will never be healed until ALL life is respected as God's creation.
I see responsible family planning as a part Christian couples can play in responding to God's gift of procreation as well as the intimate union he brings about through intimate marital relations. Couples past child bearing years STILL enjoy this gift and bring glory to God by being faithful to him and each other. God bless you, xzins, for your loving heart and gentle wisdom.
I think some of the problem comes in with people thinking that sex is all about procreation.
After Adam and Eve fell, God greatly increased Eve’s ability to conceive. Until then, when they had sex, it was for nothing more than intimacy and enjoyment.
If sex was simply for procreation, God could have solved a lot of problems by simply having women go into heat, like animals.
That mentality, that sex is all about procreation, degrades the sexual relationship between a husband and wife to being merely utilitarian.
That is a friendly and heartfelt post, boatbums, and I appreciate the effort to uphold Christian Unity. In the spirit of that, I would like you to prayerfully consider any scripture in which either the act of physical barrier or some relevant concept touching on physical barrier is upheld, such as human control of fertility.
There is no need to respond to this post. You are one who wishes to be guided by biblical principles. While I’m not your pastor, any pastor could hope for nothing more than that.