The message society doesn't want to hear
From Pro-LifeBlogs.com (thanks to my husband for discovering it):
Last weekend graduates of Saint Thomas University were treated to a surprising speech by 21-year-old graduating student Ben Kessler. Some graduates walked out, many jeered, and others spewed profanities in response to his speech.
Just what did he speak of which caused such an outcry? The War in Iraq? Border control? NSA spying? None of the above.
So, what exactly did Mr. Kessler do wrong? He touched society's third rail: contraception. Mr. Kessler had the audacity to call the use of birth control "an act of selfishness."
One would have expected some encouraging applause from the audience, after all St. Thomas is a Catholic institution. The reality is that many of these Catholic students and family members are themselves using contraception, and Mr. Kessler confronted their lifestyle and the use of contraception.
Mr. Kessler dared to speak about this issue and people didn't want to hear his message. What happened to the exchange of ideas universities are famous for? Where were all of the supposed "open minds" at during this speech? Instead of listening to his speech with an open mind, it seems that they were too busy keeping themselves ignorant by jeering and ridiculing him.
Society has a lust affair with birth control to the point of not being able to think outside of the box. We live in a contraception "matrix" where it's impossible to believe that there are any harmful effects on marriage, society, and the health of women. This "contraception deception" is the primary force behind the attacks against the contra-contraception message.
For the most part, society doesn't want to hear the message. This message is that, in our culture, contraception leads to increases in abortion, teenage sex, affairs (and subsequent divorce), health problems, and statutory rape. These facts are apparent by simply comparing statistics.
Why are people willfully preserving their ignorance? For the past century, people have lived in a society that endorses the practice of a contraceptive lifestyle of easy, commitment free, and on-demand sex without challenging them to question possible adverse effects.
Mr. Kessler could have spoke about the start of a career, the discernment of a vocation, the undertaking of new responsibilities, or many other subjects related to graduation. But hopefully his bold message will help to his classmates to question the force-fed information they have heard all their lives concerning human sexuality and contraception and arrive at a more natural, healthier view of human sexuality.
The contraception debate is long overdue, and it is people like Mr. Kessler who are breaking down the walls of ignorance, selfishness, and deception. Society may be resistant to this message, but over time the truth will prevail.
posted by Crystal Paine at 12:32 AM
10 Comments:
There's some video of the speech at this address:
http://www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx?aid=27532&bw=
What a brave man. You can hear him becoming shaken, but he makes it through the speech.
To see people walking out (adults and students!) absolutely sickened me. What is so offensive about the word of God - the truth that's in His Bible? I can't even say, "Well, maybe they weren't Catholic," because if you GO to a Catholic school, then shouldn't you be prepared to hear Catholic principles? Like it or not, being pro-life IS a Catholic principle, and for good reason!
I'm just in shock.
~Jessica in NYC
AMEN! Good for him for taking a stand. I know that people that I meet in person do not understand my choice to not use birth control and leave the number of children we are blessed with up to God. I have run into several Catholics who do not understand my points, and that surprises me. It is very interesting that his speech was not well-received in a Catholic University.
Have a blessed day! Tami
I am so impressed with this young man's boldness! Good for him. Is there a transcript of his speech available anywhere?
Most Roman Catholics don't have a clue what the church believes and why they believe it. Just like in non- Catholic churches their are your more liberal and conservative groups. It is nice to see this guy stand up and defend what the Roman Catholic Church actually teaches.
There always seems to be a double standard with most liberals (notice I did not say all). One New England university (I forget which one) was protesting John McCain because he is pro-life. He was supposed to speak at their graduation. Even if they don't agree with his policies and beliefs they should have been honored to have a senator and POW speak. Liberals are some of the most close minded people. They don't even want to hear another opinion. I had Helen Thomas speak at my graduation and I didn't get up and boo her because she was pro-choice. I was brought up to be polite. The "Catholics" at that university seriously lack a small amount of common courtesy.
I'm glad you mentioned the dangers to a woman's body. When I was 16 my doctor insisted that my mother put me on the pill to control my periods. My cycle will not function without it now. If I go off it, I get ovarian cysts so big I have to have surgery and I get very close to having endo. (long word). Doctors try to use birth control to fix these problems, and it only causes new ones. In order to have a period I have to remain on the pill until I'm old enough to get my ovaries removed. I have other fertility issues, but I'm sure the birth control didn't help matters.
Um, does the politically-correct conception of "tolerance" only apply to politically-correct ideas? (rhetorical question. I think I know the answer!)
And what about common courtesy?
It is funny how some people will welcome sports cars and attached garages into their lives, but not welcome a child. Why has the church become so wimpy and liberalized over the issue of contraception. Also, birth control pills are known to cause all kinds of health problems, including blood clots, tumors and even miscarriage. Wicked stuff!
I am a proud to see a fellow Catholic fearlessly speak what the Church teaches about birth control. The response is further evidence of the poor catechesis of an entire generation. The speech was 100% on the money. I am blessed to live in an area where Catholic priests and laymen correctly proclaim and practice what the Church teaches, and I am at once both proud and humbled to be a part of the Church that has never once wavered on its stand toward issues contraception and abortion.
I think this quote sums it all up:
Domenico Bettinelli, editor of Catholic World News wrote, "Kessler was preaching the Gospel and if those students had heard a smidgen of that Gospel during their 4-years at the college perhaps it wouldn't have come as a shock during commencement."
Wow! Brave young man! Most of my family (though not me) is Catholic, and hold to the Church's teachings about contraception. But they would not be at all surprised at the reaction he got, because they are in the minority among Catholics.
That young man had to know that he was speaking something very contraversial, and I applaud him all the more!
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