Illegal Contraception?

Meet Kristi Burton, a pro-lifer who is working in Denver to "define the term life." I won't go into what the article says, because I'm sure you are capable of reading for yourselves, but I will state my opinion here.

I am not going to argue my pro-choice opinions either. I've done that in a previous blog and I think that it is irrelevant here, though slightly pertinent. However, suffice to say that I think a completely illegal abortion policy is folly. We are asking for trouble as a society (all religious freedoms aside) and I think that regulated, safe abortions performed in moderation are the best route. But, that's just me.

But, contracpetion is a whole other story. Prompted by this post that described a phramacist who refused to sell contraceptives, I decided I needed to say something here. What is going on with this? As the daughter of a former Catholic who converted to another strict Christian religion which will go unnamed, I know that the anti-contraception idea is a religious and Catholic one. But, lordy be, why is religious policy affecting state policy? Ever heard of sepatation of church and state. Just because a certain religion forbids contraceptives, does not make it ok to deny them to others who are not of that religion and who are perfectly whithin their rights to practice (or not practice) any religion they choose!

And just to be clear, I am a deeply spiritual person who respects all religions from Buddhism to Islam to Christianity, and who think they're all saying the same thing so why don't we all stop arguing already. But, what I have a problem with is when one religion tries to dictate political policy.

But, that's just me on the furious bus. Let's discuss logic for a minute. I know it's hard, but try to sit still. As my mother explained it to me, and the same with Kristi Burton, any time a pregnancy is prevented is abortion. "God created sex for procreation," so clearly if you are having sex not to procreate (even within wedlock), you are sinning in the eyes of the church (or God). Well, pardon me if I think this is a dangerous view. Well, hell, I'm preventing pregnancies every day when I wake up, go to work, go to bed alone, and focus on my career instead of husband hunting. Therefore, since I'm clearly not procreating, I must be having abortions, daily, hourly even. I am sinning by not popping babies out as fast as my eggs will drop.

And then how about women who miscarry or can't have children? They must be sinning too since they prevent pregnancies every single darn day. Every time a baby isn't born, does an angel lose its wings? Ok, bad joke, but c'mon people, the logic is seriously flawed.

That brings me to a point I've made over and over. Many people throughout the history of time have had too many children they can feed simply because they do not have access to contraceptives or they are illegal, or hell, they haven't been invented yet. And even if we buy into the religious angle (and let's say for a moment that we do), I don't think God (be it Jesus or Allah or Shiva or Jehovah or Buddha or the Divine Goddess) would rather we procreate and procreate to do "His" will only to have those children live miserable lives or die of starvation. I dare you to read Angela's Ashes and disagree. Contraception in that case saves lives, instead of preventing them. Chew on that for a bit.

And don't get me started about the plethora of diseases that condoms can prevent. And this isn't just in extramarital sex (though I don't think that's wrong and people will always have sex). But, condoms allow married couples to have sex within one partner who is infected with an STD. Think of that! Someone who has been infected with a fatal or non-fatal chronic disease still has a chance at love. Isn't that beautiful? And it has nothing to do with procreation whatsoever. So there.

But, that prompts me to put myself on the example chopping block for a moment. I have Ovarian Cysts and endometriosis. It's extremely painful and could potentially cause infertility. The one "cure" that is known, other than a laperoscopy (which isn't a permanent fix), is ironically pregnancy. But, unfortunately, that's not an option for me now. I'm single, in my late twenties, just paying off student loans, and couldn't support a baby now in any way (though I feel emotionally ready). So, I have to band-aid my condition by taking hormones, birth control pills. They make the pain go away. They regulate my hormones that were so out of wack before. What would I do if birth control became illegal? What? Because I don't see a solution. Would you rather I sleep with a random guy to get pregnant and go on welfare to support my baby? Or maybe it's my singleness that offends you?

Or let's talk about my mother for a bit. My mom had 6 miscarriages until I was finally adopted. The poor woman wanted 6 children so badly, but just couldn't stay pregant. It wasn't until her first baby, my brother, a premie who lived only a day, that my parents decided to adopt. But, the clincher here isn't that my mom decided to "stop doing God's will," (excuse me for a moment while I throw up in my mouth a little), but that my doctor forbade her to get pregant again. Her body just couldn't take another miscarriage, another D&C (because guess what, folks, the dead baby doesn't dissolve in there; they have to scrape it out like an abortion, and it's painful), or even carry to full term.
 
So, what is the solution there, my zealoutous friends? If contraception is a sin and pregnancy will kill her, should she have just stopped having sex with my dad? Or perhaps she should have risked the next pregnancy, perhaps killing herself in the process and most likely the new baby too? Would she be sinning then as well? Because clearly the baby died at her hand. Clearly. Are we screwed either way? And if so, why bother getting so worked up if we are all going to the fiery inferno that is hell incarnate

Bah! That's what I say. If people like Kristi would stop getting so wrapped up in the dogma of their beliefs, they could see the bigger picture. And that picture is this:

1. Things are not always so simple as you think. Take a look around at the world and see all the special circumstances that make us diverse and life challenging.It is the choice inherant in life that makes it rich. Lack of choice negates the purpose in being.

2. There are a myriad of religions and beliefs. And that's ok. Most people are doing the best they can to live good lives. Respect others and stop worrying about who is going to hell. Take a look at your own soul and focus on your own path. "Let he who is without sin..." And I'll go so far as to say that hatefulness and prejudice is as much a sin to any God and religion as the other sins you judge so vehemently. Do you honestly think God will choose a hateful, judgemental person who happens to be Christian over a non-Christian person who has lived a good life, but used condoms and birth control?

I truly have nothing left to say. This subject only leaves me with fury and the more I type the more I realize that the people I intended this post for will never open their minds up long enough to heard another's point of view.