Catholics make choices.I mostly enjoyed reading Barbara Miner's highly informative and interesting article in the January issue, "Next Target: Birth Control," but I laughed out loud when she stated, "Many Catholics are unaware that church teaching considers all contraception contraception: see birth control. contraception Birth control by prevention of conception or impregnation. The most common method is sterilization. The most effective temporary methods are nearly 99% effective if used consistently and correctly. 'intrinsically evil.'" I noticed that she didn't cite a source for this comment, and I'm not surprised. As someone who was raised in the Catholic faith, this church teaching was drummed into me during my twelve years of Catholic school. Then, when I got married, I was subjected to numerous lectures and given multiple pamphlets concerning "natural family planning natural family planning Biological birth control Any FP that does not rely on artificial agents–eg, OCs, 'morning-after' pill, spermicidal foam, RU-486 or devices–eg, condoms, diaphragms, IUDs to prevent conception Methods Rhythm–calendar method, ." Although the Church's positions on women, homosexuality, and contraception have led many congregants, including me, to leave the faith over the years, I know many American Catholics today who continue to tithe tithe Contribution of a tenth of one's income for religious purposes. The practice of tithing was established in the Hebrew scriptures and was adopted by the Western Christian church. and attend church while using birth control, working outside the home, getting divorced, and advocating for gay rights--and not because they are ignorant of the Church's teachings. Most of the Catholics I know are perfectly "aware" of the rules, and basically roll their eyes and make their own choices. I have always had a great regard for the journalistic jour·nal·is·tic adj. Of, relating to, or characteristic of journalism or journalists. jour  nal·is integrity of
The Progressive, so I felt compelled to criticize you for this comment,
which makes a broad generalization gen·er·al·i·za·tionn. 1. The act or an instance of generalizing. 2. A principle, a statement, or an idea having general application. with absolutely no proof to I thought it was a display of very sloppy slop·py adj. slop·pi·er, slop·pi·est 1. Marked by a lack of neatness or order; untidy: a sloppy room. 2. journalism. Ellen Janis Brighton, Massachusetts |
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