For most Filipinas, it’s never a question of having kids or not but rather how many and how far apart. In today’s generation, one can never discount the economy when making this decision. What used to be a nation of families characterized with a dozen children per, is now faced with the decision of risking their faith for a brighter future. Birth Control or the Catholic Faith?
Many Filipino families are large close-knit families owing to the staunch Catholic faith of the population. But that was then. Don’t get me wrong. Many are still practice their faith but when the question of having kids or not comes, many are torn between keeping the faith and using birth control.
I am a Filipina and I am a practicing Catholic. But I am also using birth control. Does this make me lesser of faith? You see, the typical wage of a middle class worker in the Philippines would be minimum wage of about P 285/day (USD 7.10) and a 900g can of mid-range infant formula that lasts from 3 days to a week would cost P795 (USD 19).That means, for a one income middle class family, the wage almost solely goes to baby’s needs. One child familys sometimes even resort to diluting the formula thus explaining increasing ill-health in younger children. They are malnourished. That’s IF you have only one child. But because of the Catholic faith has so instilled the idea of artificial birth control being ‘bad’, most don’t entertain the thought anymore. Yes, there are natural methods available but they are never sure shot. I know it for a fact because I used Rhythm and Billings methods together and ’successful’ got myself pregnant. Some birth control.
My faith has never been an issue to me. In fact, the only reason I am on the pill now is because it was prescribed to me. Were it not for medical reasons, I’d probably still be avoiding my husband like the plague. I want to have kids, lots, if I could. But it’s too expensive and I can’t afford it. Thankfully, I can rationalize my use of the pill for the next few months due to medical reasons. But what happens after that?
It’s a pity that Filipinas and financially constrained Catholics have to feel guilty about being practical. No, I’m not bashing my Catholic faith…. I’m just sharing the truth.
11 comments
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March 13, 2008 at 8:29 pm
militarywifey
I think it is wiser to make sure you can afford children before you have them. I am not Catholic so I don’t agree with their beliefs on the pill. God says nothing against contraception in the Bible. However, God does say that you should be able to care for what you have. If you know that you won’t be able to afford children, contraception is the smartest choice. I wouldn’t feel bad for your decision at all.
March 13, 2008 at 10:28 pm
mssinglemama
You’re absolutely right! We don’t struggle with this issue in the U.S. Here, birth control is widely accepted as “okay.” And I would argue, that it’s even expected that women are taking it or using some form of birth control.There are some, very few, super religious people who feel that it’s “bad” to use birth control … but these are usually the uneducated lower class. Which is horrible – because they need it the most!
Thanks for this enlightening post! I hope you make waves…
March 16, 2008 at 10:52 pm
meeneemi
Thank you militarywifey for the insightful post. It’s so true… I know a guy who is a gardner earning less about $100/mo with 12 kids. Just imagine what sort of life his kids will have. What mssinglemama said about uneducated lower class believing any form of birth control is ‘bad’ is true here too. More women are open to it nowadays here but when you go to the ’slums’ when you talk about birth control, the general response is negative. They always say nobody has the right to take away sex… sex is the only thing they’re enjoying for free… and birth control takes away that enjoyment. Sad.
July 30, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Nilo Cantonjos
Then you are not a practicing catholic. What you are is a cafeteria catholic. You pick and choose on the teaching of our faith what to believe in and practice.
Contraception is wrong because it’s a deliberate violation of the design God built into the human race, often referred to as “natural law.” The natural law purpose of sex is procreation. The pleasure that sexual intercourse provides is an additional blessing from God, intended to offer the possibility of new life while strengthening the bond of intimacy, respect, and love between husband and wife. The loving environment this bond creates is the perfect setting for nurturing children.
But sexual pleasure within marriage becomes unnatural, and even harmful to the spouses, when it is used in a way that deliberately excludes the basic purpose of sex, which is procreation. God’s gift of the sex act, along with its pleasure and intimacy, must not be abused by deliberately frustrating its natural end—procreation.
July 30, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Nilo Cantonjos
Is contraception a modern invention? Hardly! Birth control has been around for millennia. Scrolls found in Egypt, dating to 1900 B.C., describe ancient methods of birth control that were later practiced in the Roman empire during the apostolic age. Wool that absorbed sperm, poisons that fumigated the uterus, potions, and other methods were used to prevent conception. In some centuries, even condoms were used (though made out of animal skin rather than latex).
The Bible mentions at least one form of contraception specifically and condemns it. Coitus interruptus, was used by Onan to avoid fulfilling his duty according to the ancient Jewish law of fathering children for one’s dead brother. “Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.’ But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife he spilled the semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother. And what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord, and he slew him also” (Gen. 38:8–10).
The biblical penalty for not giving your brother’s widow children was public humiliation, not death (Deut. 25:7–10). But Onan received death as punishment for his crime. This means his crime was more than simply not fulfilling the duty of a brother-in-law. He lost his life because he violated natural law, as Jewish and Christian commentators have always understood. For this reason, certain forms of contraception have historically been known as “Onanism,” after the man who practiced it, just as homosexuality has historically been known as “Sodomy,” after the men of Sodom, who practiced that vice (cf. Gen. 19).
Contraception was so far outside the biblical mindset and so obviously wrong that it did not need the frequent condemnations other sins did. Scripture condemns the practice when it mentions it. Once a moral principle has been established in the Bible, every possible application of it need not be mentioned. For example, the general principle that theft is wrong was clearly established in Scripture; but there’s no need to provide an exhaustive list of every kind of theft. Similarly, since the principle that contraception is wrong has been established by being condemned when it’s mentioned in the Bible, every particular form of contraception does not need to be dealt with in Scripture in order for us to see that it is condemned.
August 26, 2008 at 3:24 am
Nilo Cantonjos
Contraception is a grave Mortal Sin. Do not persist in your sins.
The truth does not depend on whether you believe it or not.
August 26, 2008 at 9:10 pm
meeneemi
Point taken… I totally agree which is why it bothers me… Oh well, I’ve never really been comfortable with contraception… Anyhoo, as soon as I read your comment last July I stopped taking communion even if my pills were prescribed by the my physician for hormonal imbalance. Been off it for 2 weeks since my 6 month treatment is done. Will go see the doctor and a spiritual director soon about all this… My conscience has always told me its wrong but I don’t condemn Filipinas who use it especially those who live below the poverty line. Not everyone has your faith and discipline.
August 30, 2008 at 2:36 pm
lynn
Sex between spouses is both Procreative and Unitive …”Nilo” read your catechism. Sexual pleasure is a gift from God…U make it a “dirty thing”
Finally dont judge a person…That’s presumption. And for for accusing someone of a serious sin…..remember there are 3 factors which would make a person guilty….(hint) ….Check it out…Catechism. Oh and have a nice day
August 30, 2008 at 7:48 pm
meeneemi
Thanks lynn… My brain is all rusty… we did have a class in college entitled “Marriage including family planning and i don’t remember much. Anyhow, I was having a chat with my sister last night about beiing responsible parents and she we got to talk about pills… I told her how ‘I had stopped a few back since the doctor recommended a 6 month treatments only and it is sinful’… she then mentioned that when she had that very same class with Fr. Dacanay (lucky her – I forgot my teachers name. He was a very Jesuit professor still), he said that birth control is not sinful when practiced by married couples who, although are ready for marriage, are not stable enough to raise kids responsibly. Cool. Now I can be a better parent, better wife and better Catholic
THANKS everyone!!! 
September 19, 2008 at 4:10 am
Nilo Cantonjos
lynn…. I do read my Catechism. In fact I’ve been a student of it for so many years now. I never said that sex is a dirty thing, that’s ridiculous. I don’t say Sex is a good…that is not enough. But I say Sex is sacred.
It will be better if you read Christopher West’s book on Theology of the Body which is really taken from the encyclical of Pope John Paul II.
I advise you to read my comments again. I never said what you are trying to allude to.
You say that I am judging people. I never did. It is said once in the gospel to not judge….but it is said 9 times to admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant. Please distinquish between the two. You have the moral obligation as a catholic to tell other people what is sinful and what is acceptable. Read James 4:17.
And I know what constitutes a mortal sin. Now that I have told them that contraception is a grace mortal sin….it’s up to them to accept it or not.
Again…let me ask you…when did I condem sex at all? I am pointing out Contraception…..and not sex. Get your facts straight.
September 19, 2008 at 4:12 am
Nilo Cantonjos
typo…. “grave mortal sin”