Ain't Got No Rhythm

Trey Smith

Since the 1930s, most denominations have left the issue of contraception up to the conscience of the parishioners. The Catholic Church has stood virtually alone since 1951 by requiring its adherents to use only the “rhythm method” as a means to prevent pregnancy. All other forms of contraception were deemed an interference in God’s Plan and hence heretical. In the early 1960s with the reforms of Vatican II in full swing, the Pope appointed a 90 person committee to evaluate the Church’s position on contraception. 75 of the 90 recommended the Church allow contraception by means other than the rhythm method.

Disregarding the recommendation, Pope Paul VI issued his famous encyclical, Humanae Vitae, which reaffirmed the Church’s solitary position.
~ from Catholics, Contraception & The Heretical 98% by Mark Esposito ~

If there are any Catholic readers, maybe you can explain this to me. I've got to be honest, the logic of this position evades me.

As an individual with a genetic condition that doesn't allow me to father children biologically -- a divine form of contraception? -- I haven't had to worry about boning up on ways to prevent pregnancy. Since I shoot blanks, I'm never able to hit the target!

From what I know, the rhythm method is far from perfect. For the sake of argument, however, let's say someone made a real science of it. This person would create all sorts of graphs, tables and charts that perfectly predicted when and when not a particular woman was fertile.

Utilizing this information, let's say the woman and her partner decided they wanted to enjoy a lot of intercourse...BUT no pregnancies. If it is God's Plan that this woman becomes pregnant and, through the use of the rhythm method she does not, how is that different from using condoms or birth control pills? Isn't it thwarting God's Plan just as well?