The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction

Quote: Nareed

Is there any doubt that's their central operational assumption? Big religions tend to become totalitarian. It's the smaller religions which can, indeed must, preach tolerance. For them it's a matter of survival.

We're fortunate to be living at a time when the larger culture favors tolerance overall. And we're even more fortunate to live at a time and a place when the separation of church and state is strong.

There is really nothing about a particular religion here. This is just common sense and natural law. It is the logic of how our bodies work and who we are as human beings.

Quote: FrGamble

It is the logic of how our bodies work and who we are as human beings.

So you don't think the brain is a part of the body? or do you think the body supersedes the brain in all respects?

Quote: FrGamble

Not at all. They are using our natural and healthy cycles to attempt to postpone pregnancy for good reasons. They are also recognizing that the two goods of sex, the union of couples and procreation, are always intimately connected.

Let's be perfectly clear here: natural family planning is about avoiding procreation while still having sex. It is separating sex from procreation.

Quote: Nareed

So you don't think the brain is a part of the body? or do you think the body supersedes the brain in all respects?

Actually the brain supersedes the body. The body is kind of helpless and must obey the whims of the mind. That is why it is so important that the mind when working properly will respect the body and do what is natural and right. If my brain forced the amount of twinkies it wanted on the body I wouldn't be alive. I could force my body to do all kinds of unnatural and unhealthy things but to the detriment of the body. They need to work together.

Quote: Dalex64

Let's be perfectly clear here: natural family planning is about avoiding procreation while still having sex. It is separating sex from procreation.

Let's be perfectly clear here: Natural family planning is a natural way to postpone pregnancy for good reason. The problem you are having is not seeing that it is natural, healthy, and respecting the procreation aspect of sex. It in no way hinders or interferes with procreation. It uses the natural cycles of the female to have sex.

Quote: FrGamble

This is indeed very scary stuff. As we move more and more to separate sexual activity from procreation and make it more and more simply recreation we find ourselves more and more confused about not only the nature and purpose of sex, but who we are as human beings.

The problem I am having is with this statement about separating sexual activity from procreation, which the church advocates through natural family planning.

Quote: FrGamble

Actually the brain supersedes the body. The body is kind of helpless and must obey the whims of the mind. That is why it is so important that the mind when working properly will respect the body and do what is natural and right.

So the brain is more important than the body only so long as it does only that which the body needs.

I have news for you: the brain is part of the body. It does not exist in a jar next to your bed, but firmly lodged inside your skull.

Let's try a different question: does the body supersede the soul?

Quote: FrGamble

Let's be perfectly clear here: Natural family planning is a natural way to postpone pregnancy for good reason.

The natural ways to prevent pregnancy is for the woman to use a reliable contraceptive method (pill, condom, sponge, IUD, etc.)

Anything else is a gross misuse of the word "natural." Human beings have minds which have enabled them to manipulate their environment to suit them. That's natural for us.

Quote: Nareed

So the brain is more important than the body only so long as it does only that which the body needs.

I have news for you: the brain is part of the body. It does not exist in a jar next to your bed, but firmly lodged inside your skull.

The brain is indeed part of the body, a very important and unique part. It regulates what the body does and uniquely can decide to do things like smoke, eat twinkies, or exercise and eat your vegetables. The body gives the brain its instruction manual of sorts and we can chose to ignore that manual and do whatever we feel like even things that clearly go against the design and welfare of the body. Think of you and your car. You can decide to fill it up with gas or add olive oil. One will help it to run the other will junk it up. You can drive on the highways made for cars or you can try to drive underwater.

Quote: Nareed

The natural ways to prevent pregnancy is for the woman to use a reliable contraceptive method (pill, condom, sponge, IUD, etc.)

Anything else is a gross misuse of the word "natural." Human beings have minds which have enabled them to manipulate their environment to suit them. That's natural for us.

That just doesn't make any sense at all. Think about what you are writing here. I think we all recognize, or at least those who trust science, that manipulating our environment has caused some pretty big problems for us. From global warming to heavily processed foods wrecking havoc on our health. Mother Nature wins in the end and you kick against the goad all you want to force your desires on our environment and our bodies but the truth will always become clear. I know it sickens you to obey God and His commandments but hopefully you can at least see the value in obeying nature.