Two Views on Contraception

Rebecca of Doxology offers thsi Foolish insight on the consequences of contraception:

There is such a pervasive message that pregnancy is an inconvenience to be gotten rid of until such a time that the woman decides she really wants a baby; all those teen sexuality sites certainly instruct teens how to get it on without really having to worry about any of the consequences of sex. Actually, they should worry about the consequences - they are there, and cannot simply be discarded in the garbage can!!

Contraception: It facilitates the kind of relationships and even the kind of attitudes and moral character that are likely to lead to abortion. The contraceptive mentality treats sexual intercourse as though it had little natural connection with babies; it thinks of babies as an "accident" of intercourse, as an unwelcome intrusion into a sexual relationship, as a burden. (Janet Smith, Ph.D.)

The abortion on demand mindset has served to severely diminish a very real, very powerful alternative for pregnant girls and women: adoption. Adoption is given lip service on teen sexuality sites; visit any of them and you will find at least 3x the information on abortion than you will on adoption. Adoption does not fit in well with the "it's my body and I'll do what I want to" thinking. Adoption is about maturity and sacrifice and letting go. It's about not letting your mistakes continue to injure your child the way they've injured you. Abortion creates at least one victim - the aborted child. Whether or not the mother considers herself a victim, only she can admit to. Abortion says it never happened; we all know that it did, but look away. Is that why this tragic 15 year old was able to carry a baby to full term without ANYONE doing anything for her?

Meanwhile, Jean S. Weaver schreeches, in an ever so Reasonable fashion, for Pharmacists in Illinois to be compelled against their consciences into filling "Morning-After" prescriptions:

This writer was more than a little puzzled, and alarmed, to learn that a registered pharmacist had refused to fill a valid prescription from a physician for a young college woman because his conscience forbade it.

The governor of Illinois, Ron Blogjevich, then issued a ruling that pharmacists must fill all valid prescriptions without delay, but it has been challenged by several pharmacists in that state.

Why, all of a sudden, in the last year do we have this big fuss over the morning-after pill? The pill in question contains a fairly large dose of estrogen, which if taken in 12-24 hours, 72 hours at the outside, will, in most cases, prevent conception. It is only taken once, so long-term problems do not apply. This short period has nothing to do with destruction and everything to do with prevention.

There is a serious imbalance of power here. The pharmacist in question is forcing his personal views on the young woman while at the same time contravening the intent of her physician.

Can the difference between Rebecca and Ms. Weaver's views be any more distinct. These women view reality through entirely different worldviews.

Rebecca understands the miraculous mystery of conception. She's aware that the misuse of the gift of sex is no reason to end a child's life. She refuses to divorce the unitive and procreative dimensions of sexual intimacy. She understands that the contraceptive mentality contributes to the Absolute Individualism most fatally manifested in abortion.

Ms. Weaver demonstrates none of this clear-headedness. Instead, she celebrates the triumph of the human mind in eliminating conception. She entrusts sex to those who choose to participate in it, whatever their reasons. Therefore, no one's conscience must come between these Absolute Individuals (especially the woman!) and their desired goal: consequence-free sex. She celebrates the contraceptive mentality as a solemn right that the State must use its coercive powers to protect.

It's sad that Ms. Weaver has so blinded herself to the truth that Rebecca and other Fools see so clearly. Ms. Weaver's desire to live in the phantasms of Nothing, in which everyone makes his or her own reality, cuts her off from the Truth and Love that truly save. I can't help but feel sorry for such Reasonable folk, especially when they foam at the mouth for a mirage. God be merciful.

On the other hand, it's such a joy to see Rebecca embrace this Truth and Love. The joy and serenity implicit in her reflection witness to her understanding. I am honored to be present, even if it's only in her writings, to one that clearly demonstrates such holiness. God be praised!