This is copy of my Rogerian Argment essay. I got an A. My teacher said it was a fun read.
A Hard Pill to Swallow
Dear
fellow Christian,
How great is our God? The one who
has placed you and I together here on this earth to enjoy a lifetime of
memories together. We both share a belief in our one and only God, but I would
like to think that we also share many other similar beliefs or preferences. And
that we can see each other as friends with different experiences on earth. We
share the simple fact that we are both people put on this earth to learn from
each other and see how the other thinks and lives.
As a Catholic follower, you believe that artificial contraception
is a sin. That God chooses who should birth a child and that by natural law sex
should only be used for procreation; that no person should involve themselves
in having sex for pleasure. You believe that sex can create too much intimacy
within a couple and lead the couple away from God (Brom). You believe that even
a married couple should not choose to use contraception and that instead if
they feel they cannot support a child, they should abstain from each other’s
company sexually. You believe in holding
strong to your traditions on birth control. You see any contraception as a
modern symptom of a “culture of death” (Burke). This being that contraception
is leading the world into a culture of killing unborn lives.
I am aware of
how my religion and yours were once very similar in our idea of contraception,
that it was sinful. Our religions both once agreed upon never using contraception,
if it was Gods will for us to have a child that we should do nothing to prevent
it. When my religion changed its view of contraception it must have been
difficult for your religion to not fold to social pressure (Brom). Though you
may have lost attendance for not breaking your stance, I applaud Catholicism
for continuing to believe in your historic position. A strong belief in every
aspect of your own religion is admirable, and it is apparent how you interpret
the scriptures to lead you to accept your beliefs. But does it not also make
sense to see why other religions have moved to seeing contraception as un-sinful?
Not in a way as to persuade opinion but to see each others point of view to
gain an understanding. It is said in the Bible that “The unfolding of your
words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (New Revised
Standard Version, Prov. 119:113). In saying this it is clear that God wants us
to seek an understanding among all men of faith. I believe a friendly
discussion of our interpretations on God’s word will be positive in gaining
understanding between each other.
Most churches have shifted their
view on contraception for health reasons. According to Devin Dwyer of ABC News,
contraception is the most common drug taken by young to middle aged women in
the United States (Dwyer). This may be for reasons that you would not expect.
Birth control pills are taken by many women for means other than stopping
procreation. A recent survey done by the Guttmacher Institute showed that 1.5
million women in the United States are taking birth control for reasons other
than preventing a baby, and almost half of these women have never had sex
(Weimar). This shows that many women really are taking birth control for other
reasons. Contraception can be used as a drug to help women for many reasons
other than preventing the birth of a child such as the clearing of acne,
balancing of hormones, and prevention of cramps. Should hospitals not use the
best medicine out there to help their patients even if the pills have side
effects which the church does not agree with? For medical reasons it may be
useful for even Catholic hospitals to be allowed to prescribe artificial
contraception as it will benefit women’s health.
It may surprise you to know that
there are already Catholic hospitals providing contraception to their patients.
Many states have laws that require all hospitals in their state to prescribe
contraception regardless f religious affiliation (Goldberg). Many Catholics
already have access to artificial contraception, so the Obama Health Plan
policy of requiring all hospitals in the US to provide contraception to clients
may not be much of a change from what is already occurring. I have in no means
written this to dismiss your belief, but merely to make you think of how Catholicism
may not be hurt by Obama’s policy. Your church will continue to preach against
contraception as it does now, or continue to support the choice of each person’s
own belief if that is the case. Obama is not trying to make an attack upon your
religion, but rather to provide availability to those who are seeking it,
especially for other medical reasons. If a devout Catholic couple is not having
sexual intercourse, but the woman feels she needs the contraception for other
reason is it right to deny her when it is the best medication for her?
I propose not denying this woman’s
rights to the best medication for her. If Catholic hospitals are required to
provide birth control they can still preach and warn about the sin involved in
taking it. Following a religion in the end is a person’s own belief and choice,
and there will be many who will choose whether to take the contraception or not
and for what reason. If they were to go to a Catholic hospital to obtain it
then the Catholic doctors would be able to warn about the sin that Catholicism
feels is involved in taking it. This would be a good way for those who want the
pill to be able to access it but with warning of their choice by people of Catholic
faith.
I hope I have not overstepped or
been too quick to judge how your religion views this subject. I am deeply sorry if I have not spoken truly
in accordance with your beliefs. I know that while we do not agree on the use
of contraception for means of preventing procreation that we may agree on its
use for other medical reasons. I wish for us to continue to come to an
agreement on what the best way is for the Obama Health Plan policy to allow
contraception without harming your religion. While we may not have the same
views, I hope that we both share the view that we are all children of God who
should learn and respect each other on earth, and be able to learn from each
other through meaningful discussion.
