I'm sure this will make a great deal of people angry, maybe even some of my Catholic friends, but I thought I'd post it anyway. I think this will also be an important read that preceeds my next post which will be on homosexuality... (I am not "hate-filled" as a previous commentor claims)...but that is for another day.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=999
This is an article by Alice von Hildebrand, whom I have tremendous respect for. I have always enjoyed her and her husband’s writing, and she always expresses herself so beautifully…I’m never left questioning what she really means. This is an article addressing Christopher West’s take on the Theology of the Body…something I’ve been struggling with for a long time, and she makes everything VERY clear. What I have been questioning in my heart, she has brought to light. I know that I am guilty of talking openly, even explicitly, regarding the Theology of the Body, but von Hildebrand reminds us that the marital act is something that should be approached with awe and veiled in mystery. It is not something to talk crudely about in a bar… Catholics too are guilty of talking in inappropriate terms about sex. As she says, “just because it’s wrapped in religious language, does not make it right.”
A couple years ago, I had the great privilege of studying with Dr Michael Waldstein, the very translator of John Paul’s Theology of the Body. He taught in precisely the way von Hildebrand says the subject should be taught. I was left in utter awe of the beauty of the sacrament of marriage, and the wonderful mystery that surrounds the human body. Our body’s speak a THEOlogy…a study of God. So, we are mysterious in our very existence as human. I have a lot of respect for what Christopher West is trying to do—reach out to young people who have been injured through pre-marital relations; but I believe von Hildebrand is right when she says he’s going about it in the wrong way.
I was talking to a co-worker of mine today, and she brought up a very crucial point. Planned Parenthood’s strategy is to bring the sexual act out into the open, and get young people talking about it…and the younger, the better. So, how is it right for US to try and do something similar? Talking about sex still gives rise to temptation, no matter how you talk about it, so it should be handled very delicately. I’m not saying we shouldn’t talk about it AT ALL, I’m simply bringing up the point, that maybe we should think before we speak, or get into one of those super-charged discussions about pre-marital sex and contraception. THERE IS a way to talk about the marital act, and Pope John Paul II expressed it, I would say, almost perfectly.
I agree 100%! I had already read the article previously and felt the same way tht you do. Hopefully, people will see how instead of hiding the truth, we should keep reverent the mystery.
ReplyDeleteRead it and don't agree. Not sure if I'm angry, but def. don't agree.
ReplyDeletePlease describe in detail what you're talking about. What exactly are those inappropriate terms? That's why I like Christopher West, because he's explicitly frank and tells me what I want to hear as a Catholic.
ReplyDeleteKidding! I agree with everything you wrote. I love your point about Planned Parenthood.
I should note that Dr. Waldstein wrote a defense of West: http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2009/05/dr-michael-waldstein-wests-work-is-uncompromisingly-in-line-with-the-churchs-faith.html
I still think West is wrong. There is no way his view is orthodox if he thinks that anal sex is ok. A lot has happened since Dr. Waldstein's article... wonder if Waldstein still stands by his article. I'm glad West is taking a year off to come up with a better approach and outlook.
btw, I wrote some incremental anti-sodomy legislation that is so explicit and horrific that it should easily pass and stop the homosexual agenda dead in its tracks. Just looking for a legislator to introduce it...
Mr. Woodard