On the question, is making out before marriage a sin, the answer would appear to be in the negative. After all, no intercourse is taking place, and so it would seem as though it does not violate the Sixth Commandment (“Thou shall not commit adultery” [Ex 20:14]).
[click to continue...]The Advantages of Being Married, According to St. Augustine
So, as we have just seen, in so many words, the great Doctor of the Church affirms the traditional, threefold ends of Matrimony are the begetting of offspring, the mutual help of the spouses, and the providing of a remedy against concupiscence.
Scripture affirms this last point as one of the advantages of being married, as well. In fact, we have it on the highest authority that one of the purposes of Holy Matrimony remains the curbing of sexual temptation.
[click to continue...]A Perspective on Conjugal Rights in Marriage You Likely Haven’t Heard Before
Why would a wife be obligated to give sex to her husband every time it is requested?
The answer to that question could go a few different directions.
[click to continue...]February 22nd: the Feast Day of St. Margaret of Cortona, Patroness to Unwed Mothers
As the biographer relates, the sight of her lover’s dead body left a deep impression on the native of Montepulciano. She mourned the loss of Arsenio and then soon realized the peril of his soul in the afterlife. She realized she too had not lived a life of purity and might die at any time.
Thus, St. Margaret of Cortona had a radical conversion and set out to practice penance for the rest of her life in reparation for the sins she committed.
[click to continue...]NY Times Op-Ed Calls for the End of the Right-to-Life Movement
The right-to-life movement would be essentially erased, if pro-life advocates adopt Renkl’s short-sighted supposed solution.
Let’s begin by observing the most obvious error in her thinking. That is, by agreeing to not talk about the issues of abortion, contraception, so-called “gay marriage,” L.G.B.T. issues, and so forth, we would thus guarantee their further decaying of our culture. Only by shining a light into the darkness of sinful behavior does such behavior ever end. “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them,” the Bible instructs (Eph 5:11).
[click to continue...]The Growing Number of Women Who Wish They Never Had Children: A Sign of the End Times
But that’s where the contraceptive mentality leads: to entire generations who don’t want to ensure a generation replaces them. That’s where America is heading.
[click to continue...]Revisiting Is It Wrong to Kiss before Marriage?
No one is questioning the delectation of kissing. But just because something is enjoyable does not make it morally acceptable. In fact, because it’s so enjoyable means it could lead to grave sins. “For she hath cast down many wounded, and the strongest have been slain by her” (Proverbs 7:26).
[click to continue...]3 Reasons You Should Care the SCOTUS Denied Pharmacists’ Objection by Reason of Conscience Against Abortion
This case is about more than just conscientious objection. We are talking about abortifacients here. It is no coincidence that a medical professional’s legal right to conscience rights ended at the door step of abortion.
[click to continue...]You Haven’t Done Much Thinking About Sex
Most people in our modern era can be accused of not doing much thinking about sex.
That is a funny assertion to make, I realize.
Our culture is saturated in sex, isn’t it?
[click to continue...]Can We Define a Marriage as a ‘Contract?’
Both the traditional marriage camp and the ‘progressive’ view of marriage can actually agree on one thing: marriage is a contract. You may be surprised to read that. But let me flesh it out, with the help of the quotes below from Frank Sheed, Catholic evangelist extraordinaire.
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