Is it a sin to use contraception?

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Pearl

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Ok wat about IVF.
Is that acceptable to God or is it intervening in His plan? Does it go against his will?

Let's say a married couple have been trying to have a child for a long time. Both of them are fertile but have been unable to conceive. She's in her mid 30s and the clock is ticking...

Is it acceptable in God's eyes to use IVF?
I think it is acceptable. It happened to my son and his partner who had tried for years to conceive. They went through a number of IVF programmes until they finally succeeded in having a lovely healthy child. All while it was going on we prayed and Rachel even got a confirmation prophecy from a complete stranger from a local church. I think God was in that.
 
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Sabertooth

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Is it acceptable in God's eyes to use IVF?
It is a medical procedure.
PROS
It assists couples with fertilization issues.

QF Perspective Quiverfull
As others have pointed out, implantation isn't guaranteed. God remains the deciding Factor.

CONS
  1. Some number of embryos (5 or 6?) are introduced at the same time. After one shows the most promise, the rest are aborted.
  2. Children so conceived have a higher occurrence of birth defects.
IVF Linked to More Birth Defects
 
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Illuminator

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Ok wat about IVF.
Is that acceptable to God or is it intervening in His plan? Does it go against his will?

Let's say a married couple have been trying to have a child for a long time. Both of them are fertile but have been unable to conceive. She's in her mid 30s and the clock is ticking...

Is it acceptable in God's eyes to use IVF?
No. Sorry the answer does not fit on a bumper sticker.

The reasons for the Church’s opposition to in vitro fertilization are twofold. First, the Church teaches that human dignity is best respected when the beautiful sexual union of two people conceives a child. This does not happen when a human being is created in a laboratory.
As the Catechism teaches: “Techniques involving only the married couple (homologous artificial insemination and fertilization) are perhaps less reprehensible, yet remain morally unacceptable. They dissociate the sexual act from the procreative act. The act which brings the child into existence is no longer an act by which two persons give themselves to one another, but one that entrusts the life and identity of the embryo into the power of doctors and biologists and establishes the domination of technology over the origin and destiny of the human person. Such a relationship of domination is in itself contrary to the dignity and equality that must be common to parents and children. Under the moral aspect procreation is deprived of its proper perfection when it is not willed as the fruit of the conjugal act, that is to say, of the specific act of the spouses’ union . . . Only respect for the link between the meanings of the conjugal act and respect for the unity of the human being make possible procreation in conformity with the dignity of the person.”​
There is also another reason. Human life begins at conception. This is not just Church teaching, but science supports this claim. Modern genetics has established that a human being’s DNA is created when the sperm fertilizes the egg. At this moment of conception, a unique identity of the human person is created. Unfortunately, in vitro fertilization does not fully respect human life. For the process to be effective, several human embryos are created, and the overwhelming majority is destroyed in the process. It is also worth noting that in vitro fertilization is a process that is relatively ineffective (less than one-fourth of treatments are successful) and causes much physical pain to women. Research also indicates that children conceived in this way are more prone to genetic defects.​

So does this mean that the Church essentially teaches that infertile couples cannot share in the great joy that is having children?

Absolutely not! The Catholic Church celebrates human life and the family more than perhaps any other institution in today’s world. The Church recognizes that infertility can be a great cross for couples to carry. The Church is a compassionate and loving mother, and thus she encourages infertile couples to nonetheless try to form a family. In particular, the Church encourages infertile couples to try two options. First, there are millions of children in the United States and all over the world who dream of nothing more than to have parents. It is a great act of Christian charity, and one that brings much joy, to decide to adopt children. This does not mean, however, that the Church is against science in its efforts to help infertile couples.
Pope Benedict XVI has said: “The Church pays great attention to the suffering of couples with infertility, she cares for them and, precisely because of this, encourages medical research.” As the Catechism affirms: “Research aimed at reducing human sterility is to be encouraged, on condition that it is placed “at the service of the human person, of his inalienable rights, and his true and integral good according to the design and will of God.” In other words, the Church is not against medical advancements that would help infertile couples as long as they do not interfere with God’s vision of human sexuality and do not disrespect human life. For this reason, the Church is an enthusiastic supporter of NaProTECHNOLOGY. This pioneering method, developed by world-renowned gynecologist Dr. Thomas Hilgers, allows physicians to diagnose the causes of fertility and help couples find a time when they can engage in intercourse with the greatest chance of getting pregnant. In fact, NaProTECHNOLOGY is much more effective than in vitro fertilization, not to say much cheaper and safer. To learn more about NaProTECHNOLOGY and find a doctor who will lead you through the process, click here.

Since the Church is against in vitro fertilization, does this mean that the Church sees people conceived this way as somehow worse or evil?

Absolutely not! If a priest tells you this, then he is blatantly going against Church teaching. The Church believes that every human life is a beautiful gift from God, even if that life was not necessarily conceived in accordance with God’s plan. For this reason, the Church celebrates life and is pro-life in the case of every pregnancy, regardless of how it was conceived. When Louise Brown, the first “test tube baby” was born in 1978, Cardinal Albino Luciani, who would become Pope John Paul I a few weeks later, said: “From every side the press is sending its congratulations to the English couple and best wishes to their baby girl. In imitation of God, who desires and loves human life, I too offer my best wishes to the baby girl. As for her parents, I do not have any right to condemn them; subjectively, if they have acted with the right intention and in good faith, they may even obtain great merit before God for what they have decided on and asked the doctors to carry out […] Getting down, however, to the act in itself, and good faith aside, the moral problem which is posed is: is extrauterine fertilization in vitro or in a test tube, licit? […] I do not find any valid reasons to deviate from this norm, by declaring licit the separation of the transmission of life from the marriage act.” The future pope essentially sums up the Church’s position: while she opposes the process of in vitro fertilization, she condemns no one.

I have tried in vitro fertilization. Does this mean that I cannot be a part of the Church?

Absolutely not! Our Church believes in the doctrine of original sin, so it realizes that all people make decisions that are not necessarily in accordance with God’s plan. Our nature inclines us to do so. Every single human, except Christ and Mary, is a sinner. Even the holiest of saints were sinners. The Church does not exclude people simply because they had made decisions not in accordance with Catholic morality. If that were the case, the Church would literally have zero members! The point of being a Catholic, rather, is to recognize that certain decisions we made were not the best, apologize to God and make an effort to live better. For this reason, we are blessed with the great gift that is the sacrament of reconciliation. Thanks to this beautiful sacrament, God absolves us of our sins and gives us a new chance to try to live as Christians. If you have gone through in vitro treatments, then the Church will embrace you with its loving arms as soon as you recognize that that was not the best decision, confess and seek alternatives in the future. Don’t feel that you are somehow a “worse” Catholic. There are many saints – including people without whom Christianity would be inconceivable, like St. Paul and St. Augustine – who did much more morally troubling things before their conversions.
What Does the Church Teach About IVF? | Catholics Come Home
 
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Sabertooth

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Some details about Quiverfull,
  1. Though my wife & I came to this at the same time (in most cases that I know about), the wife gets it, first, and then sells it to her husband.
  2. Hyper-patriarchy is not a requirement for QF. That is only an artifact of certain churches.
  3. Medical intervention, at best, brings the chances of conception to the level of a healthy couple. It doesn't take the deciding vote away from God.
  4. We did not avail ourselves to further pregnancy until she fully recovered from the previous one. (She had no mom-side complications until the last one.)
 
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Cristo Rei

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On my wedding day, my mum's words of advice as she she zipped up my wedding dress was - "Expect nothing and you wont be disappointed." LOL

She is a very blunt woman but I think her logic is true
The more we expect something the more disappointed we become when we don't get it
 

Cristo Rei

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No. Sorry the answer does not fit on a bumper sticker.

Well it appears the answer does fit on a bumper sticker... NO

But all jokes aside i appreciate that explanation.
My intuition told me (or perhaps the Holy Spirit did) that IVF was frowned upon by the Church and I wanted to see what other people thought
Where is that info in the Catechism? I went through a few letters of the index trying to find something but was unsuccessful
 

Pearl

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She is a very blunt woman but I think her logic is true
The more we expect something the more disappointed we become when we don't get it
I think there must be an awful lot of disappointed women out there.
 

Pearl

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Well it appears the answer does fit on a bumper sticker... NO

But all jokes aside i appreciate that explanation.
My intuition told me (or perhaps the Holy Spirit did) that IVF was frowned upon by the Church and I wanted to see what other people thought
Where is that info in the Catechism? I went through a few letters of the index trying to find something but was unsuccessful
My church does not frown on IVF, in fact they were praying with us. Perhaps it's only certain factions of the church.
 

Taken

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Is it a sin to use contraception?
OP ^

On the broad spectrum, I would say, it depends on WHO, is the "one using the contraception".

Not the WHY, but specifically, the WHO.

A person "Converted" (the WHO) "IN" Christ, is Freed from the ability to Sin Against the Lord God, (whether or not "for their personal reasons of WHY they choose to use a contraception.")

A person, (who has heard) yet has chosen to "Not" become Converted "IN"
Christ...continues to SIN against God, for their Disbelief.
Their actions...of preventing babies, or anything else they choose to do, does not Glorify God.


It's always a condunrum, discussing Sin, on a broad spectrum, when Sin itself does not Apply to all people.

Glory to God,
Taken


 
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charity

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We are talking about the use of contraception within a marriage

I would first like to hear from others before putting my opinion forward
Is it a sin to use contraception? Why/why not?
Feel free to use the bible, reasoning, a churches position or anything else

'But as many as received Him,
to them gave He power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on His name:
Which were born,
.. not of blood,
.... nor of the will of the flesh,
...... nor of the will of man,
but of God.

(John 1:12-13)

Hello @Cristo Rei,

I quote the verse above, because of the words used to describe one who is born of the flesh, as:-

- 'of blood'
- 'of the will of the flesh'
- 'of the will of man'


A child is born by the will of his parents, a choice they make to have a child. Intimacy between a man and a woman leads to conception. Yet that desire for intimacy is there whether a child is desired or not: should an unwanted child be brought into the world because the will of the flesh has been overtaken by desire? I believe that the use of a condom is preferable to an unwanted child being born. Yet the availability of contraception makes it easier for someone to behave promiscuously too. It deprives promiscuity of it's consequence, yet when that consequence is a life, a child born, unwanted and unloved, then I cannot but think that a preventative measure would be preferable when the flesh is weak.

See Genesis 38:9-10 & Hebrews 13:4

This is my own understanding, so
May God's will be done.
In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
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Pearl

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I would say that if you think it's sinful then it is but if you are ok with it and your conscience isn't troubled then it isn't sinful. And also a couple would need to have complete faith in God to leave the size or their family to him. And how many of us had that amount of faith when we were starting out and starting our families.
 

Cristo Rei

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Is it a sin to use contraception?
OP ^

On the broad spectrum, I would say, it depends on WHO, is the "one using the contraception".

Not the WHY, but specifically, the WHO.

A person "Converted" (the WHO) "IN" Christ, is Freed from the ability to Sin Against the Lord God, (whether or not "for their personal reasons of WHY they choose to use a contraception.")

A person, (who has heard) yet has chosen to "Not" become Converted "IN"
Christ...continues to SIN against God, for their Disbelief.
Their actions...of preventing babies, or anything else they choose to do, does not Glorify God.


It's always a condunrum, discussing Sin, on a broad spectrum, when Sin itself does not Apply to all people.

Glory to God,
Taken

Ur basically saying it's a sin for a person who isn't in Christ to use contraception
But it's fine for a person who is in Christ to use contraception
Isn't a sin a sin regardless who does it?

What do u mean by "sin itself does not apply to all people" and "a person in Christ is freed from the ability to sin against the Lord"?
It sounds like u are saying that u are perfect, free from sin...

Can I ask what church u are from?
 

Cristo Rei

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I would say that if you think it's sinful then it is but if you are ok with it and your conscience isn't troubled then it isn't sinful

Really, u guys can choose what is a sin and what isn't?
Im not familiar with the doctrines of other churches, which one are u from?
 

Taken

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Ur basically saying it's a sin for a person who isn't in Christ to use contraception
But it's fine for a person who is in Christ to use contraception


Isn't a sin a sin regardless "who" does it?

Correct. WHO is paramount.
Those "IN" Christ can NOT "commit" Sin.

What do u mean by "sin itself does not apply to all people" and "a person in Christ is freed from the ability to sin against the Lord"?

Sin is defined as:

1 John 3:4...
[4] ...sin is the transgression of the law.

Now ask yourself:
Who was the Law Given TO:
Who Agreed to Obey the LAW:
Who Did and Did not Obey the LAW:
Who was Given Authority to Hear Disputes:
Who was given Authority to Settle Disputes:
Who was given Authority to Exact Punishments:
How "were" Sins Forgiven:
Who brought a better Testament:
Who Fulfilled the LAW:
Who brought a NOW Offering of a Permanent:
...Forgiveness:
...Salvation:

When is a Fullfiled LAW (or its consequences) STILL relevant:


I am not Israel, a Tribesman, Subject to or Agreed to the OT Laws.
Jesus did not Fulfill the LAW FOR MY Benefit.
Jesus Fulfilled Hebrew/Jewish Law For the Benefit of the Tribes of Israel.

The LAW of Israel ONLY continues to BE Relevant TO Israel, "WHO" chose / Choose to Remain UNDER the LAW...and forego taking Jesus' Offering of permanent Forgiveness and Salvation.

It sounds like u are saying that u are perfect,

It should have sounded...As if I am a Gentile, that the Lord Offered the Same Benefit to me that was Offered to the Jews/ Israel...that the majority of them Rejected His Offering.

It should have sounded clearly, I freely Chose to Accept His Offering, of Forgiveness, Salvation, Quickening.

perfect, free from sin...

Perfect? No. I'm still lugging around this Physical Natural Body of Sin. I can physically See this Same body...

However this Physical Body of Sin, that " I SEE with my Natural Eyes...
IS Forgiven Sin!
IS NOT Seen by Gods Spiritual Sight.
IS NOT Remembered by God.
IS a Body He Has Already Washed.
IS a Body He Has Already Sanctified.
IS a Body He has Already Justified, to be Redeemed (claimed) and Risen Up in immortality and glory.

Perfect? No.
Perfect-ED YES...by and Through Christ Jesus, "MADE" Wholly Whole and Acceptable To God? Yes.

free from sin

Yes.
My Sin had Nothing to do with Mosaic LAW.
My SIN "Was"
1) Being Naturally Born of a Corrupt Seed.
2) Disbelieving IN the Lord God Almighty.
3) Corrupting my soul.

WHEN, I heard, learned, Trusted to Believe AND freely Chose to Accept the Lord Gods Offering of Forgiveness AND Salvation AND Quickening..My Faithful Lord God Accepted me and MADE Me Whole.

I am Free From Ever "AGAIN" committing Sin Against My Lord God.
BY His Power HE Keeps me Faithful UNTO Him Only Forever.

Can I ask what church u are from?

Christ the Lords Church.

What Church are you from that perhaps teaches the Spirit of God IS dwelling IN you, while you Commit Sin?

Glory to God,
Taken
 

Cristo Rei

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Are you free from sin?

Glory to God,
Taken

Me. I believe no man is free from sin, only Christ. I believe man is infected with sin
I believe that Satan is real along with his temptations. I believe in Spiritual Warfare
 

Taken

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Me. I believe no man is free from sin, only Christ. I believe man is infected with sin
I believe that Satan is real along with his temptations. I believe in Spiritual Warfare

Okay, thanks.
May I suggest you read:
John Chap 6
1 John 3:6
1 John 3:9

Glory to God,
Taken