I recently posted a prolife,
anti-contraception tweet that leaked onto the screens of people who insist on
separating sex from procreation. One person
commented that I was “50 cards short of a full deck” for my tweet that said: “Abortion
is backup for contraception. Until we get rid of contraception, we won’t get
rid of abortion. #life #Prolife #tcot #trcot”
A couple people tried to instruct me:
anti-contraception tweet that leaked onto the screens of people who insist on
separating sex from procreation. One person
commented that I was “50 cards short of a full deck” for my tweet that said: “Abortion
is backup for contraception. Until we get rid of contraception, we won’t get
rid of abortion. #life #Prolife #tcot #trcot”
A couple people tried to instruct me:
“You realize use of contraception reduces the abortion
rate, right? Eliminating contraception will increase abortions.”
rate, right? Eliminating contraception will increase abortions.”
“If you get
rid of contraception, you will get abortion x 1,000”
rid of contraception, you will get abortion x 1,000”
Another thought I must have mistyped my message.
“Wait, WHAT?! You mistyped this right? B/C until we get rid of RESTRICTIONS
on contraception, we won’t get rid of abortion.”
on contraception, we won’t get rid of abortion.”
Others gotangry. One person had trouble believing people thought like I did. Another tweet said
if I was against contraception, then my desire to get rid of abortion was
basically horse excrement.
People were very disgusted at what they
perceived as my ignorance. One said:
“It’s about shaming and punishing women
for having sex. @PattiArmstrong”
I tweeted
that when contraception failed, there was an unwanted baby, which often led to
abortion. I said people cared more about
sex than life since abortion was acceptable but abstinence was not. Someone told me it was BS that people cared more about sex than life and
that anyone serious about life would support expanded contraception. I was also
warned to keep in mind that some babies come into the world unwanted. I responded: “Huh? Better aborted than born unwanted?
Some people want those babies; some fall in love with theirs.”
that when contraception failed, there was an unwanted baby, which often led to
abortion. I said people cared more about
sex than life since abortion was acceptable but abstinence was not. Someone told me it was BS that people cared more about sex than life and
that anyone serious about life would support expanded contraception. I was also
warned to keep in mind that some babies come into the world unwanted. I responded: “Huh? Better aborted than born unwanted?
Some people want those babies; some fall in love with theirs.”
A person brought up rape—I told them
to stick to the subject. When I mentioned self-control and God’s plan, “#sarcasm” showed up. In the end, I don’t suppose my tweets converted
anyone, but I planted seeds and I’ll pray for their conversion. And
understanding.
to stick to the subject. When I mentioned self-control and God’s plan, “#sarcasm” showed up. In the end, I don’t suppose my tweets converted
anyone, but I planted seeds and I’ll pray for their conversion. And
understanding.
They Just Don’t Get It
Some people suggested that those who follow Catholic teaching don’t like
sex. But we love it. We also respect it. We know it is a gift from God, that when misused, has consequences for individuals and society.
sex. But we love it. We also respect it. We know it is a gift from God, that when misused, has consequences for individuals and society.
 |
| Pope Paul VI |
In 1968, Pope Paul VI, issued his prophetic encyclical, Humanae Vitae, which reiterated 2,000 years of Catholic teaching
that artificial contraception is sinful. It wasn’t the case of a single,
celibate, old man not wanting the rest of us to have fun when he affirmed the Christian
condemnation against contraception. God
had not announced a change of plans regardless of the advent of modern
contraception. Thus, the Pope stayed the
course. There was no mob rule at the Vatican.
Nor did the conveniences of modern technology revamp God’s rules on
creation.
that artificial contraception is sinful. It wasn’t the case of a single,
celibate, old man not wanting the rest of us to have fun when he affirmed the Christian
condemnation against contraception. God
had not announced a change of plans regardless of the advent of modern
contraception. Thus, the Pope stayed the
course. There was no mob rule at the Vatican.
Nor did the conveniences of modern technology revamp God’s rules on
creation.
Grave
Consequences Predicted
History now shows that Pope Paul knew the score. He predicted the increased use of
contraception would lower moral standards including an increase in divorce,
adultery, and abortion. It became easier
for men to see woman as just sex objects and easier to blame women for
unintended pregnancies, thus denying personal responsibility. Pornography is
ubiquitous now and suggesting that people not have sex outside of marriage is
ridiculed. China and India force
contraception on women and procreation and sex have become distant relatives
for many.
contraception would lower moral standards including an increase in divorce,
adultery, and abortion. It became easier
for men to see woman as just sex objects and easier to blame women for
unintended pregnancies, thus denying personal responsibility. Pornography is
ubiquitous now and suggesting that people not have sex outside of marriage is
ridiculed. China and India force
contraception on women and procreation and sex have become distant relatives
for many.
Abstinence is scoffed at. Self-control is not an option but abortion
is. Everyone knows abstinence is not
easy, but some people don’t even realize it is possible. Given that standards have fallen so low, it’s
no surprise that my tweet shocked some. The
contraception genie is out of the bottle and has had its way with society. We are not the people we once were. So, yeah, I understand why my tweet received
backlash. Refraining from sin has become
unimaginable to many. Sin is no longer
even recognizable. Neither is sex. It used to be attached to responsibility and
marriage, even if human nature often did fall short.
is. Everyone knows abstinence is not
easy, but some people don’t even realize it is possible. Given that standards have fallen so low, it’s
no surprise that my tweet shocked some. The
contraception genie is out of the bottle and has had its way with society. We are not the people we once were. So, yeah, I understand why my tweet received
backlash. Refraining from sin has become
unimaginable to many. Sin is no longer
even recognizable. Neither is sex. It used to be attached to responsibility and
marriage, even if human nature often did fall short.
I’m not claiming following Catholic teaching is easy but it’s possible. And following animal instincts is only easy
in the beginning. Things can go downhill
rather quickly afterwards.
in the beginning. Things can go downhill
rather quickly afterwards.
At any rate, it all started with a simple tweet that is statistically
correct. More contraception = more sex
between people that don’t want to parent together = more unwanted pregnancies =
more abortions. And even if that one person was correct that I am 50 cards
short of a full deck, it wouldn’t matter. The Catholic Church has the full
truth, and it’s their deal.
________________________________________________________________________
correct. More contraception = more sex
between people that don’t want to parent together = more unwanted pregnancies =
more abortions. And even if that one person was correct that I am 50 cards
short of a full deck, it wouldn’t matter. The Catholic Church has the full
truth, and it’s their deal.
________________________________________________________________________
For more inspiration, check out Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families. Your children will laugh while learning big spiritual lessons with Dear God, I Don’t Get It! and Dear God, You Can’t Be Serious.
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