The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
Sex, Contraception, and Basketball
Aquinas Lesson for June 26, 1998
Put on a blindfold, take a basketball, and try to make a basket. It’s not easy, is it? Now, try to hit the backboard, but not make a basket. That’s not much easier.
That’s what sex using contraception is like. You’re trying to make a basket, or at least hit the backboard, while wearing a blindfold.
Here’s the connection. Aquinas said actions are taken in order to achieve an intended end. There are two ends of sexual intercourse – a procreative end and a loving end. (Even if you don’t think procreation is an intended end, your BODY does! When you have sex, your body tries to make a baby.)
Now, let’s say hitting the backboard is the loving end, and making a basket is the procreative end. Putting on a blindfold (contraception) makes both more difficult. However, accidents happen! Contraceptives can fail resulting in an accidental basket! Without the blindfold (let’s say using Natural Family Planning), you have more control. You can make a basket, or just hit the backboard.
Finally, it’s dumb, strictly against nature (Natural Law), to perform an act while simultaneously handicapping yourself in order to prevent the end of that act.
Today's 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
