Sunday, October 25, 2009

Catholic Social Teaching: life issues

There is something that has been bothering me for awhile lately. Being totally pro-life is a big issue, to what degree are we willing to live in regards to life issues? Here's what I mean:

1. Being pro-life means in no circumstance will one close the door to new life. No contraception should be used to prevent life and obviously no abortion or 'day after' pill are options. Being pro-life is practicing abstinence and natural family planning (NFP) to plan the family.



2. Teaching all, especially children that abstinence is the only way to conduct oneself as an unmarried person. There is no other way to behave in this state of life to be completely aligned with God's design.



3. Respecting life at all phases from unborn to natural death. Allowing all to be happy, loved, and encouraged.



4. Euthanasia should not be a 'legal' option for the elderly. Instead, families need to make them comfortable, loved, and well cared for.



This is a tall order that many are not willing to adhere. We have been taught the easier ways to tackle these issues. I do know that many are not willing to accept abstinence as the only way for fear of the consequences of naive thinking as I have been told.

What do you think? Please leave your comments.

1 comment:

Dustin said...

I appreciate your thoughts here, and they give me much to think about as we prepare (several years down the road) to have these conversations with our own young children. I agree with these ideals and intend to teach them.

I think one of the best ways to get the point across is by living a healthy example. Obviously, our kids do not see us during our teen years, so an example of abstinence is not going to be as effective. However, my wife and I proudly practice Natural Family Planning and plan to be open with our children about all it does for our marriage and our lives (at an age-appropriate time of course).

Thanks for a great post!
Dustin
www.EngagedMarriage.com