Einstein, Insanity and Humane Vitae

Last updated on: July 16, 2008 at 1:58 pm by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Einstein, Insanity and Humane Vitae 2008-07-16T13:58:00-05:00 Fr. Dwight Longenecker

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The Daily Telegraph reports the record number of teenage pregnancies and abortions in the UK. In response the government wants more contraceptive education, more abortion clinics, more free condoms and more sex education for younger and younger children.

This has provoked a conservative response that points out quite rightly that the policy of free contraception, and universal ‘values free’ sex education has failed. Yet, the conclusion the liberal establishment draws is, “Whoops! teen pregnancy and abortions are still going up. Clearly we have not given enough sex education and handed out enough free condoms to children early enough.” This is like saying, “Gee, my car conked out when I put orange juice in the gas tank. I guess I didn’t put enough in. I better add some more.” The article quotes Einstein, who defined insanity as, “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

It brings to mind Anne Atkins–a very down to earth vicar’s wife who was asked about condoms for teens by some liberal lame brain on BBC Radio 4. The radio presenter said, “But don’t you think the problem is that teenagers simply do not have enough access to good sex education and free contraceptives?” Atkins roared with laughter and replied, “Do you have a sixteen year old son? I can’t even get mine to change his underwear. Do you seriously think he’s going to take enough responsibility to put on a condom–especially when he’s had a few to drink and is feeling amorous? What planet do you live on?”

The Captain has suggested that conservative Catholics are living in fairyland since we keep on harping on about Humane Vitae. What’s the point when nobody listens, and even most Catholics pay no attention?

Conservative Catholics are not naive or ignorant of the world. We know most people won’t listen. We know many Catholics are themselves disobedient to the teachings of their own church. So what. Disobedience to a law does not negate a good law, but proves the integrity and need for the law. If a man kills ten people by speeding his car through a forty mile an hour zone it doesn’t prove that the speed limit was wrong. It proves that the speed limit was right.

We realize few will listen. We know we’re like the dog who barks at the passing train. He barks not because he thinks the train will stop, but because he’s a dog.

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