Orthodoxy & artificial contraception

[Theodora Elizabeth]

My first post... :mrgreen:

I'm involved with an Orthodox group that promotes use of NFP (natural family planning - informed abstinence). I remember reading somewhere that ROCOR is one of the few Orthodox bodies that has come out against ABC (artificial birth control). Could anyone point me in the direction of on-line sources or booklets I could order?

Guess I should introduce myself: I'm a newish convert (received into the Church in December, the Sunday before Christmas) at a pretty conservative Antiochian parish in Illinois (raised in the Church of Rome, then spent five years with the Episcopalians). How conservative? No pews (they were ripped out, to the joy of everyone, several months ago), priest VERY against ABC (and admonishes couples in wedding sermons to try for babies right away! ), headcoverings on the majority of women (and not just in the line for Communion), most women in modest skirts (I wish all would). I'm 35, single, live in a large Midwestern city, and work in international shipping. I'm very bookish by nature, and aside from Orthodoxy-related books, I'm addicted to Jane Austen.

I've had some on-line interactions with Synod members that have been very positive, and since I'm more of a traditionalist myself, thought I would join you folks.

God bless,
Theodora Elizabeth

[PFC Nektarios]

Welcom Theodora, I am myself Antiochian and a "traditionalist", and My parish to is as yours is. Welcome to the boards. As to your question on
the Artifical Birthcontrol. I have no clue.

In Christ
Nektarios

[尼古拉前执事]

You may wish to check out a thread about this here: http://www.euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/vi ... php?t=2360

[Justin Kissel]

Theodora Elizabeth,

Welcome to the forum.

Just so my words on the other thread won't seem like the words of someone who just doesn't understand, I better say something: my wife and I do use a form of contraception (under the advice of the spiritual advice from a priest in ROCOR). We are one of the "exceptions," caught between a rock and a hard place.

Regarding literature, that's hard to come by if you're looking for some against contraception. Fr. John Schroedel, a priest in the OCA, does have a site that might be useful. Past that, I've only seen things here and there over the years. John T. Noonan's book on Contraception is probably the best resource, though it's from a decidedly Catholic and secularist perspective (you'd probably have to get this through a library).

[Theodora Elizabeth]

Theodora Elizabeth,

Welcome to the forum.

Just so my words on the other thread won't seem like the words of someone who just doesn't understand, I better say something: my wife and I do use a form of contraception (under the advice of the spiritual advice from a priest in ROCOR). We are one of the "exceptions," caught between a rock and a hard place.

Regarding literature, that's hard to come by if you're looking for some against contraception. Fr. John Schroedel, a priest in the OCA, does have a site that might be useful. Past that, I've only seen things here and there over the years. John T. Noonan's book on Contraception is probably the best resource, though it's from a decidedly Catholic and secularist perspective (you'd probably have to get this through a library).

Justin ~

Agree there are "exceptions." But they should be just that, "exceptions." That's funny, because I know Fr. John decently well from my work with the Orthodox NFP Association - he heads it up! I was just looking for something from a "traditionalist" Orthodox point of view.

Thanks,
Theodora Elizabeth

[Justin Kissel]

I think the subject falls below the radar of most traditionalists (unless it comes up in a discussion with Catholics). I just don't think that there is enough interest for most people to write on the subject, and the topic is controversial and a traditional perspective would no doubt alienate a lot of westerners...

I'm curious, what type of response (numbers I mean ) have you gotten with NFP among Orthodox Christians?

[sue57]

Theodora, I've got a link somewhere about this subject. Give me a little while and I'll post it.