October 23, 2009 at 10:35 pm (Articles, Reason #323 Not to Use Contraceptives)
Tags: Birth Control, Birth Control Dangers, Contraception, Denver, Family Planning
A recent article in a Denver weekly by Susan E. Wills, Esq. Unfortunately, the print is a little small, but it’s a good piece. The danger of contraception is not news to me, but one of the top search terms to find my blog consistantly is “dangers of birth control,” so I think it’s news to someone.
October 14, 2009 at 10:26 pm (Pharmaceutic Continuity)
Tags: Birth Control, Catholicism, Contraception, Ethics, Faith, Pharmacy, Trevor Dal Broi
Mr. Dal Broi, chemist with courage
If you live anywhere near East Griffith NSW (west of Syndey and north of Melbourne, I think) in Australia, bring your prescription to Trevor Dal Broi, one of many chemists (pharmacists) whose personal and moral beliefs (which happen to be religious) forbid him for prescribing contraception of any kind.
This, of course, makes him the enemy of many whose secular devotion to contraception, sprinkled with a little anti-Christian prejudice, is a kind of tyrrany over a person’s right to exercise their conscience and religion.
According to an Australian blogger from the same town of some 16,000 residents, there are about five pharamacies serving the town, which isn’t exactly depriving the fair citizenry of their compacts of carcinogens.
My favorite quote is from Miss Alison Dance, 18, who believes it’s wrong for someone to exercise their conscience. My guess is that 1) She’s never actually read the pamphlet inside her Pill packet or researched the drawbacks of condom usage; 2) She’s not thought more than 30 seconds about her attitudes and beliefs about sex and contraception, and 3) She feels inconvenienced because someone else has spent more than 30 seconds critically thinking about it, making her ride her bike six more blocks.
According to Freerebulic.com, Mr. Dal Broi will contineu to prescribe contraception that is needed for medical reasons.
The best quote comes from Bob Laird, executive director of another pharmacy, via the Catholic News Agency,
“Birth control is not good health care. Birth control makes healthy reproductive organs sick and prevents the marital act from completion. This is not healthcare. Birth control is a lifestyle choice…”
Amen. Contraception is a lifestyle choice. Some feel it’s more essential than others, but I advocate the ability to make that choice or choose to advocate non-contraceptive family planning, as Mr. Dal Broi does.
Last note: The Catherine of Siena Institute has a great blog post on this story, and ends by encouraging people to support other people who make couragous decisions based on their convictions.
I support Trevor Dal Broi.
October 4, 2009 at 8:12 pm (Articles, News, Physicians)
Tags: Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Birth Control, Contraception, Dangers of Birth Control, Family Planning, New York Times, Yasmin, Yaz
This recent article in the New York Times starts by saying that popular contraceptives Yaz and Yasmin are at the top of the sales chart for Bayer Pharmaceuticals. They’re top sellers not just for their pregnancy-defying feats, but from their hyped up marketing which got them in trouble not too long ago.
The good thing about this Times piece is that it brings attention to health concerns over Yaz and Yasmin. This was prompted by some health professionals, but particularly the 74 plaintiffs and their lawyers who currently have filed against Bayer for serious side effects that they claim have a higher percentage than other contraceptives.
Is is true that these risks are higher among Yaz and Yasmin users? Or do they merely have the same side effect risks as other contraceptives? I say merely with my tongue firmly in cheek, as the side effects of contraceptives, though debated in the last 10-15 years, are gaining wider publicity. Simply do an internet search on “birth control” and “lawsuit,” and you may be surprised on what you find.
August 26, 2009 at 8:53 pm (Cognitive Dissonance, News)
Tags: Birth Control, Contraception, Family Planning, Human Rights, Natural Family Planning, NFP, Pathfinder, Paul VI, Pope Paul VI, Women's Rights
Thomas Peters over at American Papist cleverly posted his corrections on this ad:
This simple image signals a grave ignorance of recent social science showing the connection between contraception and most major social pathologies of our time. It presents an imperious worldview that treats contraception as a panacea that is universally desired and accepted. It isn’t and it’s not. Look where this leads.
Further, this ad belittles those across the political, socio-economic, and religious spectrum who, for various reasons, choose natural methods of family planning. With one photograph it presumes, offends, and betrays their own ignorance.
I can’t wait to write a book, make a movie and win a Nobel Prize about the connection between contraception and nearly every major social pathology of our time. Yeah–the last two will totally happen. Right.
What are your ideas for replacement text for this ad?
I’ll kick start it:
“What if this was your only answer to Pope Paul VI’s predictions about contraception & social ills?”
“What if this was your only option for public health policy-making?”
“Gosh, I hope this marxist feminism thing works out for me.”
“I hope this objectification of my person and rejection of my fertility works out.”
August 11, 2009 at 10:26 pm (Morality & Ethics, News)
Tags: Catholic Charities, Catholic News, Catholicism, Contraception, Despair.com, Investing, Morality, Pax Bank, Scandal, Wyeth
Despair.com has a design for every corporate misstep.
A Catholic German Bank, Pax Bank, got caught with their lederhosen down recently when it was discovered post-facto that they’d invested money in three companies against Christian morals. One is a tobacco company (not exactly an intrinsic evil but whatever), one a foreign contractor who makes atomic bombs (ouch), and definitely the worst, in my opinion, the atomic bomb of the family: a contraceptive manufacturer, Wyeth.
Is this really a surprise that this is going on, especially in Europe, which has a high rate of secularization and some of the lowest rates of fertility? No. What is a surprise is that it was found out and reported. Who is the provost of the Cologne Cathedral, who evidently was a main instigator of this discovery? Is it the same as what is called the “cardinal provost”? If so, word on the street is that he’s one of those clergymen who rocks his faith for real. Maybe he needs to come talk to Catholic Charities in the US…
June 9, 2009 at 8:36 am (Health, I Heart My Fertility)
Tags: Birth Control, Birth Control Dangers, Contraception, Ditch the Pill, Family Planning, Health, Natural Family Planning, NFP, Sex, The Pill, Women's, Women's Health, Women's Wellness
Developed migraines since starting the Pill? Have you had a pesky blood clot go to your lung or brain? Those darn birth control Pills may have been at it again!
I just found this great web site, a feminist support site devoted to educating people on the dangers of the Pill, aptly named “Ditch the Pill.” About the group whose entire non-sectarian goal is to empower women:
DitchThePill.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to the understanding, research and treatment of women’s health concerns caused by the toxic side effects of birth control pills (BCP’s). It was created in response to what is becoming a growing epidemic of health problems in women over the last 50 years, beginning with the introduction of oral contraceptives.
DitchThePill.org strongly feels that women should have a vital part in managing medical decisions regarding their own health. Prescription medications, particularly in the form of oral contraceptives, have unknowingly caused an epidemic of health problems in women since the advent of the Pill in the 1960’s.
Have you been told that taking BCP’s are the only way to prevent your family history of ovarian cancer? Oops, that’s not entirely supported anymore.
What’s the alternative, to a hormone-free, pro-fertility, pro-woman approach?
Shockingly (!), I’m going to suggest natural methods of family planning. You’re going to have to go elsewhere from this site to find information on Natural Family Planning (NFP), because, strangely enough, they don’t know all that much about modern NFP. Guess who’s going to give them a call today? Maybe you should too (281-962-4264).
NFP/ Fertility Awareness Resources:
June 6, 2009 at 10:30 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: Birth Control, Catholicculture.org, Contraception, Family Planning, Humanae Vitae, Paul VI, Philip Lawler
Paul VI was right. To the decently well read and open-minded individual, it’s no surprise when people suggest that Pope Paul VI was right. In 1968 he made 4 predictions in section 17 of his letter to the world, Humanae Vitae, and Phil Lawler summarizes how recent infringements on human rights in China, Peru and beyond confirm one of the late Holy Father’s four predictions regarding the effects of widespread contraception on society.
For a more thorough (think names and stats), fabulously well-written, article on the same subject, check Mary Eberstadt’s “The Vindication of Humanae Vitae.”
May 22, 2009 at 12:27 pm (Humanae Vitae, Listen to it!, Morality & Ethics)
Tags: Catholicism, Contraception, Family Planning, NFP, Stephen Patton, Talks
I just re-listened to a CD that One More Soul included in an order as a freebie a while back, and wanted to share some thoughts.
About the CD:
Title: “Why Contraception Matters”
Speaker: Stephen Patton, M.A., J.D., with introduction by Bishop Victor Galeone
Sponsored by: Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida
Running Time: 60 minutes
Synopsis:Practically speaking, widespread use of contraception has led directly to massive increases of divorce and abortion. Personal union and yearning for fertility are written physically into the structure of sexual relations, and shutting down one of these aspects hurts the whole relationship. Stephen Patton gives an introduction to the pastoral situation of many–perhaps most–clergy, calling this prototypical priest, “Father Friendly,” giving a humorous but all too true insight into clergy’s general faithfulness but rampant lukewarmness. He likewise gives an introduction to the average Catholic parishioner couple, “Mr. & Mrs. Friendly,” a witty and all-too-accurate description of good intentions and Humanae Vitae ignorance out there. He shows us two things. First, why contraception really is a big deal, and how it is intrinsically linked to the evil of abortion. Second, he asks us all to take an honest look at the contraception crisis in the Church and wider culture today, and invites us to consider what we can do about it. There are practical, workable steps we can take to regain the overflowing life that God desires for us.
Strengths: Mr. Patton is a knowledgeable, educated and very well spoken man, and Director of the Family Life and Respect Life Office for the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida. He is introduced by his Bishop, showing a great sign of respect, faithfulness and approval (although a degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville bodes well also). The introduction is very witty, and a spot-on criticism of the rampant lukewarmness, indifference and ignorance of pastors and parishioners of Catholic (and I think this parallels to some extent non-Catholic Christian parishes as well) serves as a prelude to a deeper pastoral examination of conscience on how well Catholics (clergy and laypeople alike) know and promote the Church’s teachings, and the beauty of NFP.
Weaknesses: This is not necessarily the CD you want to give to someone who’s skeptical about NFP or the Church’s teaching. While this definitely could be useful and thought-provoking to someone with an open heart or a honest seeker, it may come off as preachy or critical to someone who’s first hearing about the teaching. Also, his style is not very animated (I had the sense he was reading his talk), and a bit droll. His message is very powerful, nevertheless, but it may not engage a young adult who’s not educated on this subject. Also, there’s a couple phrases that made me giggle/ cringe, like the marvelous “fertility dance” analogy that certainly is very true but seemed a little over the top and hyperbolic considering the tone and context.
Warning: This could be negative or positive depending on your viewpoint, but Patton, after some introduction, goes into a little detail about the nature of the nuptial union and orgasm. Screen this before giving to a young person or sensitive adult.
Recommendation:He makes some very poignant observations and some very challenging statements that’s worth a listen by every clergyman, DRE, youth director, NFP teacher and NFP apostle. Get it for free with your One More Soul order.
May 7, 2009 at 10:40 pm (Events, Morality & Ethics, See it!)
Tags: ABC Nightline, Alice von Hildebrand, Birth Control, Catholic, Catholicism, Christopher West, Contraception, Family Planning, Fr. Jose Granadas, Hugh Hefner, Mary Shivanandan, Media, News, NFP, Nightline, Pope John Paul II, Sex, Theology of the Body
(Newly Updated 5/8/09)
ABC’s Nightline did a piece tonight on Christopher West and Theology of the Body tonight, and I tuned in to see how badly the media would mess it up.
But guess what? It was brilliant. Zero trace of anti-Catholicism, and several money moments for telling the Good News of Sex and Marriage, complete with married couples’ testimonies, the bulimia-contraception analogy, and the mutual climax quote from John Paul II (You’ve got to see the clip or read the books to know what I’m talking about).
A downside in trying to pack in so much in ten minutes is that you leave out all of the dimensions of the Theology of the Body, like the beauty of vocation, celibacy and consecrated life, its implications for art, liturgy and beyond. As I said recently to a friend, sometimes people get the idea (as it would be easy to) that TOB is “Theology of the Genitals,” when, in fact, it’s Theology of the Body, Soul and entire person.
Another critique I have, which is probably a critique that many have of Christopher West, is that if you didn’t know Christopher West, Theology of the Body, and the context, he might come off a little like a sex maniac. However, if you know how far he’s come in his personal and professional development, you get it. West is really good at what he does–communicating and getting one’s attention so that he can share Theology of the Body. This is a message people need to hear, and one that has affected the lives of so many already.
Did you see it? What did you think?
Things you can do:
Update: Read CNA’s Interview with West regarding the “sensationalism” of the interview content.
Update 2: CNA’s Interview with Dr. Alice Von Hildebrand, Mary Shivanandan, and Fr. Jose Granados.
Update 3: Facebook conversation on Natural Family Planning discussion board.
April 29, 2009 at 1:51 pm (Vocations)
Tags: Birth Control, Bishop Carlson, Catholicism, Contraception, Parish Closings, Seminarians, Serra Club, Vocations
His Excellency Robert Carlson
The world won’t understand this, but I’ve just upgraded my opinion of Archbishop Robert Carlson, the newly appointed AB of St. Louis, Missouri. With this audio clip (fast-forward to 3:10), I’ve got from fan to uber fan to super duper fan.
I’m on a roll today on the link between good families and vocations–which seems like an obvious link, right?–and will hopefully write a more in-depth article on the connection between fruitful family life, NFP and vocations.
Congratulations, St. Louis! Keep on rockin’ in the free, total, faithful and fruitful world, Archbishop Carlson!
