Catholic Hierarchy’s Views on Birth Control Misguided

http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/16/3876856/catholic-hierarchys-views-on-birth.html
I’m a practicing Catholic. I also practiced what 98 percent of other practicing Catholics practice, namely birth control. As a practicing Catholic, I know the bishops are wrong. Their view that contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans infringes on religious freedom is deeply problematic for three reasons:
First, not all religious practices can be allowed on the basis of religious freedom. A few include: 
n Having sex with a minor (in practice, at least 109 American bishops, archbishops and cardinals have turned a blind eye to such activities within their dioceses).
n Polygamy.
n Stoning adulterers (though infrequent, such stoning is acceptable in Muslim countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia).
n Female circumcision.
There is no valid reason for a religion to be placed above the rights of women, men and children.
Second, the bishops’ views do not represent that of the majority of practicing Catholics. Numerous recent studies reveal that 98 percent of Catholics have practiced birth control. Simple observation reveals few Catholic families with 11-12 children, as was the case decades ago, because Catholics practice birth control.
Third, the intent of the bishops is not religious freedom, but maintaining power. Pope John Paul maintained that if the Church declared contraception was OK, they’d have to admit that:
n The Holy Spirit was on the side of the Protestant churches.
n Leaders of the church had condemned thousands of innocent human acts, forbidding, under pain of eternal damnation, a practice which would now be sanctioned.
n These acts would now be OK on principles cited by Protestants.
The church has mounted a big campaign against birth control because they won’t admit they made a mistake. It’s no wonder that one out of 10 Americans call themselves a former Catholic. With views so shabby, the Catholic hierarchy is destroying itself.
Diana Milesko
Anna Maria 

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