Asking Christopher West 10 Questions about Sex | Ep. 440
Dec 20, 2023
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Christopher West, an expert in the Church's teachings on sexuality, answers 10 controversial questions. They discuss leaving the gay and lesbian lifestyles, John Paul II's impact on the Church, purpose of genitals, language of the body, cohabitation, premarital sex, contraception, sincere repentance, unjust discrimination in the priesthood, and celibacy's relation to sexuality.
Contraception is viewed as a blasphemous act that contradicts the natural purpose of genitals and communicates a false message about God's love.
Masturbation is seen as a selfish act that disintegrates the individual's physical and spiritual being.
Non-marital sex trains individuals to lie with their bodies' language and hinders their ability to love and be a gift to their future spouse.
Cohabitation is anti-marital behavior that pretends to be married, goes against the purpose of sex, and prepares individuals for divorce.
Deep dives
Contraception and Body Language
Contraception is seen as a blasphemous act that goes against the natural purpose of genitals, which is to generate new life. It is considered a bodily mutilation and a contradiction of the sacramental symbolism of the sexual act. Changing the physicality of the fertility renders the act sterile and communicates a false message about God's life-giving love.
Masturbation and Self-Love
Masturbation is viewed as a selfish act that goes against the purpose of sex, which is to be a self-giving expression of love. It is seen as an inversion of sexual desire, focusing solely on self-pleasure rather than learning to love and be a gift to another person. Masturbation is considered disintegrating to the individual's physical and spiritual being.
Premarital Sex and Marital Meaning
Non-marital sex is seen as contrary to the true meaning of sex, which is meant to express the total self-giving and faithful commitment of marriage. By engaging in non-marital sex, individuals are training themselves to lie with the language of their bodies and are not learning to love and be a gift to their future spouse.
Cohabitation and Anti-Marital Behavior
Cohabitation, when unmarried individuals live together as if they were married, is seen as anti-marital behavior. It is viewed as pretending to be married and trying each other out, and it goes against the true purpose of sex, which is the complete self-giving and bonding of husband and wife. Cohabitation is regarded as preparation for divorce rather than for a lifelong commitment.
The Problem with Pornography
The problem with pornography lies in its explicit intention to use naked bodies as objects for selfish pleasure. Viewing pornography promotes a self-centered approach to sexuality, hindering the development of love and the ability to be a gift in relationships.
Understanding Celibacy and Abstinence
Celibacy and abstinence are both ways of committing one's life to being a gift. Celibacy for the Kingdom is a vocation that dedicates oneself entirely to the service of God. Abstinence, on the other hand, can be a profound act of love within the context of marriage, as it allows couples to honor the natural cycles of fertility and responsibly make decisions to embrace or avoid pregnancy.
The Issue with In Vitro Fertilization
The Catholic Church objects to in vitro fertilization (IVF) because it separates the marital act from the conception of a child. IVF replaces the sexual act with a technological means of conception, which goes against the natural purpose and dignity of human procreation. The Church emphasizes that every child has the right to be conceived through the loving marital embrace of his or her parents.
