Christianity does not simply ask followers to respect life, nor does it insist they denounce the everyday sins of humanity. Truly devout living compels us to actively defend the right to life, which is our duty as the children of God.  However, the defense of life involves education and exposing disturbing signs of moral decay. Heavily responsible for these recent immoral trends, dangerous forms of unnatural contraception are an increasingly-valid threat and widely misunderstood. Although the bible asserts that children “are a blessing to be cherished and cared for when given,” these methods of pregnancy prevention challenge those words with their blatant disrespect for life, increasingly leading young adults astray.  

Nevertheless, many families continually choose these “convenient” forms of contraception to control their family size. Even unmarried couples now frequently use these forms of birth control to recklessly satisfy their sexual desires. Even more troubling still are the countless young people engaging in sex freely because a variety of dangerous contraceptives apparently allow it. The use of these products isn’t just an insult to relationships or marriage, but an attack on the entire foundation of children and the family itself.

By largely relieving couples of the “threat” of pregnancy, contraceptives have legitimized premarital sex. However, when couples do view sex as an acceptable activity before marriage, they fail to live life for the glory of God. Children, for these sexually active, unmarried couples, become seen as a burden. As a result, the entire relationship is corrupted, with carnal satisfaction replacing deeper, worthy forms of connection. However, the mutual respect a relationship demands can also become secondary to the selfish gratification premarital sex provides. Without the sanctity of marriage, this disrespect can reach even greater lengths, as individuals become objectified as nothing more than sources of sexual enjoyment.

This disrespect manifests itself in society today in the form of oral contraceptives, which are an insult to both the family and children. Remarkably, these deadly forms of contraception are carelessly sanctioned everywhere, from the media to schools. They assist in the increasing sexual promiscuity of our nation and the rampant spread of disease. Despite being the most dangerous form of contraception, oral contraceptives are now the most popular as well. Unlike barrier forms of contraception, these pills are up to 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. In addition, they are cheap, readily available at family planning clinics, often at reduced prices, and convenient. Women need only take a pill at the same time each day to effectively eliminate the chance of pregnancy. Unfortunately, few young adults using this pill recognize the dangerous physical side effects that commonly occur.

These side effects begin with the dangerous implications hormonal methods of birth control can generate. While effective at preventing pregnancy, they falsely imply complete protection to all outcomes of casual sex, including sexually transmitted disease. Although schools frequently fulfill their minimal obligation, warning students about the dangers of this disease, the incomplete education they provide might simply prompt more confused young women to turn to this drug as a safeguard.

Alarmingly, the producers of these drugs are also accountable for these widespread misconceptions. Bayer HealthCare, the manufacturer of several popular oral contraceptives, devotes millions of dollars to advertising campaigns every year. According to this marketing, these drugs treat everything from acne to premenstrual depression. However, the FDA recently requested Bayer remove these television commercials, explaining that none of those claims have been conclusively proven and only mislead young adults further.

Despite the revelations about this drug manufacturer’s lack of integrity, the worst side effect of this drug remains the destructive physical consequences. Oral contraceptives literally disrupt a woman’s internal balance, altering hormones to make the body think it is pregnant. Although proponents of these destructive pills are quick to point to the decreased levels of estrogen in current products, many serious health problems still accompany these drugs, including cardiovascular complications. A recent Yaz lawsuit involves a woman who developed blood clots in her lungs after using this product. Because estrogen can play a role in blood coagulation and is a main ingredient, these drugs increase the risk of stroke and blood clotting.

The disrespect users of oral contraception show their body is a direct affront to God, as we are made in his image. Regardless of how users attempt to defend their decision to blatantly disregard the sanctity of life, they will never find justification in the eyes of God. Because it is the duty of all Christians to preserve life, it remains imperative to spread the truth about dangerous forms of contraception, especially birth control pills. These attacks on life represent an assault on decency and threaten to damage the moral fiber of this country until nothing pure remains and we are left with a wave of broken families, crime and rampant disease.

Contraception is not a sin because it can make women ill or lead to death. It fails to be a sin because it causes the spread of sexually transmitted disease. The use of contraception is not even a sin because it makes manufacturers of these immoral products disgustingly wealthy or tempts couples to commit adultery. Contraception is a sin because it attempts to remove God’s influence in reproduction, illustrating a desire to rule one’s own fate instead of serving The Lord. Unfortunately, the immoral sexual tendencies in modern society have gone so far that it is not only atheists and other misguided souls that must be informed of the evils of contraception. Even self-identified Catholics must be reminded of the promise they made to God which included the preservation of life, morality and reverence for all things sacred.

This is a guest post by Matt Phillips.

CVSTOS FIDEI MONDAY EDITION
Christians Arrested in the U.S. - Mark Ellis, The Cypress Times 
Jewish Museum Exhibits Sacrifices of Nuns - Michael O'Malley, Clvlnd Pln Dlr
Nuns Recall Life Under Communism - David Yonke, Toledo Blade
Under the Roman Sky - Donald R. McClarey, The American Catholic
Hijacking the Marriage Debate - Thomas M. Messner, NRO
Healthcare Reform and the Magisterium - Chris Burgwald, The American Catholic
Adult Stem Cell Use Restores Sight - Associated Press
Real Sex Vs. the Contraceptive Mentality - Darwin, The American Catholic
Andrea Bocelli Pro-Life Story - Catholic News Agency
What's That Purple Building Daddy? - Tito Edwards, The American Catholic

CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION Tx Available For NYC Pope Mass - Michael Paulson, Bstn Glb ...Archdiocese of New York releases itinery of Pope's trip... Pope's Wednesday General Audience - Catholic News Agency Pope Recieves 'Holy Grail' Beer - Gavin Aitchison, The Press John McCain Is A Weak Pro-Lifer - Mark Stricherz, NC Rgstr Being Catholic Means The Entire Package! - Blggr Nws Net Catholic Charities Won't Bend To Gay Agenda - Cal Cath Dly Photog Taken To Commission For Refusing Gay Job - LfSt Now *This* Is Liberal Fascism - Mark Shea, CAEI Compensating Cowards - Mark Shea, InsideCatholic 'One Who's Unable To Live Without Sex, Becomes A Slave' - LfSt France May Make Homeschooling Illegal - The Brussels Journal Secular News Item of the Day: Barak Hussein Obama Wants A Summit With Muslim Countries by Brian Rohan of Reuters Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Wednesday, January 30, click here. For Tuesday, January 29, click here. For Monday, January 28, click here. (Biretta Tips: Catholic Report, LifeSite, & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION

CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION On Christian Hope - Archbishop Charles Chaput, First Things Iraqi Conversion Story - Joe Burns, Catholic News Agency Pope's US Visit In April Website - Thomas Peters, Amrcn Ppst Sterility & Fruitfulness - Mark Shea, Natl Catholic Register The "C" Word - Soutenus, A Catholic Notebook Henry Hyde 1924-2007 - Sheila Liaugminas, NC Register Am Psych Asscn To Ban Gay Therapy? - Hilary White, LS Porn Use Increases Aggressive Sex Acts - John Connolly, LfSt Atheism Led To 'Greatest Form Of Cruelty' - Peter Beita, CP Fox Entertainment Buys Beliefnet - GetReligion.org New Lie Cinema - Jeff Miller, Curt Jester Get Advent Wreath For Your Blog - Jeff Miller, Curt Jester Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Tuesday Evening-Dec 4, click here. For Tuesday Morning-Dec 4, click here. For Monday, December 3, click here. (Biretta Tip: National Catholic Register)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Vatican-Isreali Ties Worsening - Associated Press US Bishops Waffle On Pro-Abort Politicians - Cal Catholic Daily CNN Misleads On US Bishops Life Views - Matthew Balan, NB Praise & Criticism On US Bishops Statement - LifeSite Debating Church & State Separation - Fr. Richard Neuhaus, FT Mike Huckabee: Pro-Life & Pro-Family - Meg Jalsevac, LifeSite Hook Up Culture Hurts Women - Kathleen Parker, RlClrPltcs Higher Rates Of STD's This Year - Christian Newswire Archbishop Charles Chaput Interview - Catholic Exchange Golden Compass Has No Moral Compass - Matt Barber, Twnhll Giuliani Woos Christians On Judges - Libby Quaid, AP School Bans Christmas Cards - Andy Dolan, Daily Mail Non-Catholic News Item of the Day: Jews & WASP's by Walter Mead of the New York Sun Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Thursday, November 15, click here. For Sunday, November 11, click here. For Saturday, November 10, click here. (Hat Tips: LifeSite & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION Doctors, Morning After Pill, & Faith - L. Parker, USA Today Missionaries, East To West - L. Hook, Wall Street Journal Chicago Tribs Brachear Ignorance - K. Shepherd, MRC Tradition Makes A Comeback - Sandro Magister, Chiesa Media's Double Standard - Tito, Custos Fidei Last Three Catholic News Postings: For Thursday, August 2 click here. For Wednesday, August 1 click here. For Tuesday, July 31 click here. (Hat Tip: Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION Cardinal Mahony Should Resign - Phil Lawler, CWNews Contraception & Virtue - Donald Demarco, NC Register The Jewishness Of The Roman Rite - N. Frankovich, First Things Vatican Library Closure Irks Scholars - D. Willey, BBC News Forfeiting Right To Oppose Gay Marriage? - M. Finkelstein, MRC Setback For Family Rights - Bill Graves, The Oregonian Sen Specter Disappoints - Alexander Bolton, The Hill Women Re-Entering Work Force Face Peril - P. Meister, MRC How To Apply Vatican II - Sandro Magister, Chiesa China's Christian Revolution - R. Moore, Orlando Sentinel Anti-Humanism Gaining Traction - W. Smith, 2ndhand Smoke Voluntary Human Extinction Movement? - Christina, CoaCS Last Three Catholic News Postings: For July 15 click here. For July 14 click here. For July 13 click here. (Hat Tips: The Lair Of The Catholic Cavemen, Pewsitter & Lucianne)

CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION Giuliani Advocates Death - Bill Donohue, Catholic League Romney Advocates Life - Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Giuliani Losing More Ground - Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com One Million Attend Pope's Brazil Mass - staff, Catholic News Agency Blog-Level Ecumenism - David B., Per Christum Bayeux Tapestry - Fidei Defensor, Custos Fidei 'Into Great Silence' Now Playing in Houston - Tito, Custos Fidei Radix Malorum est Cupiditas - Fidei Defensor, Custos Fidei Scientology vs. John Sweeney - John Sweeney, BBC News (Hat Tips: Catholic Report.) Movie Review: Into Great Silence (Die Groß Stille). Shameless Blog Plug of the Day: Open Book.

H/T to Dawn... "...the pleasure principle and various pagan philosophies are always going to be with us. And in our consumer culture, making women lonely is what sells. You don't see a married woman with kids blowing her Christmas bonus in the shoe department at Macy's. Advertisers have a vested interest in keeping women single and lonely, because they're the ones that buy impulse purchases." Dawn has hit the nail on the head here. Just as left wing faith in "big-government" has damaged our society, so has right wing faith in "big-business" (aka classical liberalism.) Materialism is one of the pillars of the culture of death. The media bombards people with the message that happiness is derived from living for ones' self, Christ says happiness and perfect freedom come from living for others. This is one of the two great divides between Christianity and Paganism. The other is that, to quote a popular film, "What we do in life, echoes in eternity."

EVENING UPDATE 114 Year Old Convert - Agenzia Fides Abp Burke Takes On Sheryl Crow (Video) - Rocco Palmo, WITL An Atheist's Journey to God - Fr. John Powell, retired professor Congress to Criminalize Christianity - Bob Unruh, WorldNetDaily Giuliani Tap-Dancing Around Abortion - Steven Ertelt, LifeNews... Ideological Tribalism - Fr. Jonathan Morris, FoxNews.com Hispanics Turning Evangelical - Kim Vo, The Mercury News The Problem With Mr. Auth - Robert T. Miller, First Things Shutting Down Opposition - Charles Colson, Catholic Exchange About Archbishop Nienstedt - Pamela Miller, StarTribune.com Syphilis Rate Rises Among Gays - John-Henry Westen, LifeSite Backlash for Catholic Justices - Jan Crawford Greenburg, ABC News Pro-Lifers & Illegal Immigration - Michelle McIntyre, Life of the P... "Not Enough Flair!" - Domenico Bettinelli, Bettnet.com Science & Gays - Professor Glynn Harrison, Anglican Mainstream Stamping Out Christian Dissent - Pat Dague, Transfigurations Kilt-Wearing Surrender Monkeys - Staff, Ekklesia Anglican Liberals Unhinged! - Christopher S. Johnson, MCJ MORNING EDITION The Joy of Abstinence - Arielle Spivey, Boston Globe Bob Novak's Short Conversion Story - Rod Dreher, Crunch Con Consequences of Redefining Marriage – Allie Martin, One News Now The New Yorker & Shoddy Journalism - George Weigel, DCR Texas Futile Care Law May Change – Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Sexual Abuse Charges on Bp Todd Brown – Gustavo Arellano, OCW Abortions Compared to War Deaths (all US) – MJ, Ad Maiorem De… Roe v. Wade Can Be Overturned – Allie Martin, One News Now How 4 Coaches Converted - Maryanne Meyerriecks, AR Catholic China Passes U.S. As Worst Polluter - Christopher S. Johnson, MCJ The Post-West - Victor Davis Hanson, Private Papers Anglican Liberals Unhinged-Part 2! - Christopher S. Johnson, MCJ I'm a Marauding Marsupial! - Tito, Custos Fidei Shameless Blog Plug of the Day: Confessions of a Crazy Schoolmarm. (Hat Tips: Catholic Report, The Curt Jester, Recta Ratio, National Catholic Register, Catholic and Enjoying It!, Townhall.com & The WebElf Report.) This weeks Catholic News: For April 25 click here. For April 24 click here. For April 23 click here. For April 22 click here.