Posted by Amy K on July 12, 2003 at 20:11:46:
In Reply to: "The Pill" (this is long...) posted by Teacher on July 12, 2003 at 14:50:08:
: I’m not on here as much these days as I used to be, but I try to at least post once or twice a day—even when I’m extremely busy. I happened to hop on this morning and read the stuff about the pill below when Yvette was initially asking about the IUD. When someone posts a website with medical information on something I almost always go and read it and then others regarding the same subject and from various points of view. So...I just wanted to put my “2 cents” in here (as Mels would say).
: The pill has been debated for years. Some say that a small percentage of the time the egg does ovulate (2%) and then cannot implant to start growing. However, even some foods you eat can cause an egg to have problems implanting or to “abort” itself, as well--not just the pill. That's why we are advised to avoid certain cheeses, eggs, meats, etc. I personally know that I did not ovulate while on the pill--I know because I get horrible immobilizing cramps (worse than AF cramps) when I ovulate and I only had them before being on the pill and after I stopped using it again. That's just me, though.
: I question various sites that I do reading on because I they often don’t give dates of research or I cannot find information on "M.D.s" who are quoted (I just want to know how legitimate they are). Doctors will debate over so much out there so it's difficult to know which ones are right and which ones are wrong. Therefore, it's difficult to hang a "belief" on what some doctors think. I just want to caution people to do their reading carefully--if you read two websites on how the pill is abortion then read two websites on documented medical information which supports the other side. There are literally thousands of websites, books, and doctors out there that can provide valuable information.
: I also want to mention that I did read the details of the http://www.pilltruth.com/kill.html website and I just want to be sure that people understand some of the things presented on it. At one point it says "The Didache strictly forbids abortion as a morally heinous crime (chapter 2 v.2). So it is clear that Christianity from its earliest days of the roving apostles strictly forbade abortion and regarded the act as murder and offensive to God." Being married to a Bible scholar (BA in Bible, Masters of Divinity, fluent in original Greek/Hebrew languages, and currently completing a PhD) I did some checking on the Didache. It was not written until about the second century A.D and is representative of only a segment of early Christianity and beliefs. I'm only saying this because the website claims to document what the "Bible" says and the Didache is not in the Christian canon (or Bible). I do not believe in abortion, from my own research as a Christian, but I would never use the Didache to document my reasons, in other words. This is just one of my pet peeves so I had to bring it up.
: Although I choose not to use the pill, I do not judge others for choosing to use it. I just feel better physically not being on it--I think it was doing stuff to my body. But others, however, never notice any side effects and they can be on it for ages and get pregnant the very month they go off of it. To me, the worse sin here would be me "judging" others for using something they have carefully thought through even though I made a different decision. You can tell those on here who are angry over this. If they really want to change someone else's belief they will carefully and thoughtfully present their opinions in their own words (with their name or “pen name” the regularly use) and then agree to disagree.
: Just on a sidenote: The funny thing is that you could say that any man who masturbates is also killing a possible baby. Sure enough, God did slay Onan for spilling his seed on the ground instead of using the seed to impregnate Tamar (from Genesis, chapter 38). That's why you often hear of male masturbation is sometimes referred to an Onanism. This was seen, in biblical times, as a source of ritual impurity. So, there are extreme points of view on this issue. However, according to my husband, the reason Onan was punished was for refusing to fulfill his obligations as a brother by providing children through his dead brother’s widow in order to carry on his brother’s name. Everyone just has to study for himself/herself, make a decision, and know that God knows your heart and your intentions. So many of us forget that--including me. It's easier to set our own guidelines and judge others according to them.
: Anyway, I hope this post isn't offensive to anyone. It was written in love and concern for all here. I'm glad that we can all voice our opinions here, but I'm more pleased that we can voice our opinions and agree that we can disagree. If that's not possible then there's no need to even post on here. :o)
: Tight hugs to all,
: ~Teacher
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