Introduction to John Paul II, Theology of the Body

The Linacre Quarterly, 1989

A Pure Heart Create for Me - Robert Colquhoun, 2009

Chapter from a book: discusses the anthropological differences between a pro-contraception world view and the teaching of the Catholic Church [in particular John Paul II]

Reconceiving Reproductive Health: Theological and Christian Ethical Reflections, 2019

While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions, reproductive health is not. However, reproductive health is a matter of theological and ethical concern. Discussion pertaining to reproductive health includes a number of debates about, for instance, abortion and the termination of pregnancy, reproductive loss, childlessness, infertility, stillbirth, miscarriage and adoption. Additionally, new reproductive possibilities made available by the development of reproductive technology have necessitated theological and ethical reflection on, for example, surrogacy, post-menopausal pregnancies, litter births, single mothers or fathers by choice, in vitro fertilisation and the so-called saviour siblings. These new developments compel us to reconceive our notions of what reproductive health is or should be. Many of these topics are receiving increasing attention in a variety of theological publications. The focus of this volume is unique, however, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first volume dealing not only with reproductive issues, but also reflecting theologically and ethically on reproductive health. It makes a contribution by providing a variety of perspectives from different theological fields on this theme, and in many chapters, focussing especially on the South African context. These discussions are also part of urgent debates within churches, which require developing life-giving theological language and imaginative theological alternatives that may speak to experiences of matters relating to reproductive health. The popular books, TV series and films that touch upon these discussionsincluding The Handmaid's Tale and Mother!-strengthen the perception that a more in-depth theological and ethical discussion on the theme may be necessary, particularly towards exploring stories and confessions from our faith tradition that may provide us with a timely opportunity to do the important work of theological 'reconceiving'. The target audience includes academics, professionals and researchers. The methodology utilised by the chapters differ, but all take the form of a type of literature study. No empirical research was conducted and the research, therefore, does not pose any ethical risks. The chapters in this volume are all original research that has not been published elsewhere. It includes a diverse range of perspectives from several disciplines. This volume, we hope, will contribute to scholarly discussion and deeper theological and ethical reflection on reproductive health. It aims to offer a comprehensive view of the theme of reproductive health from theological and Christian ethical viewpoints. This is done by providing new and novel lines of inquiry, new topics for discussion and new insights into established research. At the same time, we are also aware that the theme of reproductive health is much broader than can be (re)conceived in one volume and hope that one of the contributions of this volume will be to spark and become part of a larger conversation and discourse.

American Journal of Bioethics, 2010

We can learn about people’s conceptions of the ideal life by looking at what they imagine heaven to be like. Although voluptuous and gendered (and even sexist) accounts of the afterlife are familiar, more reflective views grow ever more distant from our actual human form of life—many Christians believe that in heaven there will be no marriage, sexual intercourse, or procreation. For those of us who think of the human frame not as the creation of a divine designer but as a contingent product of blind natural selection, it is simply a truism that our biology falls far short of perfection. If we were to engineer ex nihilo a new form of intelligent life that would be maximally flourishing, it would bear little resemblance to actual human beings. Nor is it likely to be divided into male and female, or to engage in sexual intercourse for reproductive purposes—sexual dimorphism was after all not selected because it reflects some deep intrinsic value, but for familiar evolutionary reasons. Awareness that we are mere products of blind chance, that there is no special necessity that intelligent beings would be divided into male and female, or walk on two legs, or enjoy music or dance, might be disturbing to some. But we mustn’t confuse pressure in the gut with a reductio.

The Linacre Quarterly

On December 27, 1991, public broadcasting radio aired an interview with Sir Stephen Spender: "We thought we had finally achieved sexual freedom and then AIDS appeared." Spender, evidently an educated man, was serious. He really thought that one could separate procreation from sexual intercourse without encountering any consequences. And yet, apart from AIDS, the consequences are all around us, screaming for recognition. Charles Osgood of CBS Radio talks about "structural damage." Discussing the ignored cracks below the Chicago River and the structural damage all around which had yet to be assessed, he drew attention to "other structural damage." In 1970, the average American family had 2.6 children. Today, the average American child has 2.6 parents. What happened? Non-coital methods of female contraception, especially the pill and the IUD were marketed as the tools of liberation in the late 1950's and early 1960's. A decade of "liberation" followed during which women initiated intercourse at younger and younger ages until today the median age of sexarche is 16 for both females and males .. Physicians need not be reminded of the epidemic of single pregnancy and abortion which followed nor need they be told about the rise in all sexually transmitted diseases which was augmented by the immuno-compromised condition brought about by AIDS. Many STD's are now resistant to common antibiotics. There are penicillin-resistant strains, not only of gonorrhea but also of syphillis. Nor is the immuno-compromised state restricted to sexually transmitted diseases. Increasingly, one finds strains of the tubercle bacillus resistant to rifampicin and INH. This raises new concerns for those who would like to think that one cannot contract AIDS or its concomittants by simple social contact. But the most serious consequence of the so-called female liberation is not medical, but social. Men no longer have a physical reason to be committed to women. After all, the reason why men were supposed to be committed to women in the area of sex was precisely because sex led to pregnancy and society wanted children to have a father, as well as a mother, support and a home. This is still a very necessary goal, but it has been undermined by societal attitudes about sex. Sexual revolution or not, most women, far from being able to live without men, act as if all that is needed to pacify males is to be sexually available. There

In this article, we decided to study the representation of the Spanish pregnant and postpar-tum women and the importance of religiosity/spirituality and the social context for them. We analyzed the influence of religion on the woman within her social context. Objective: to understand how pregnant and postpartum women experience their sexuality according to their religious beliefs and the opinion of others from a socially learned perspective. Method: qualitative study using ethnography. This study aims at understanding reality from the wom-en's point of view, acknowledging that the points of view are constructed through interaction with others, through cultural and historical norms that influence the lives of individuals. Results: The findings indicate a difference in the religious beliefs and sexual behaviors of these women, which is more marked in urban than rural areas. Mothers have an influence on their daughters, conditioning their behavior. Conclusion We conclude that the process of change is underway. However, some paradoxes still persist concerning the sexual roles to be adopted, as well as some contradictions between sexual behaviors and the statements on religion. Within the scope of our study, we can confirm that pregnant and postpar-tum women are more or less pressured by the religious and social norms conveyed by their mothers, mainly in rural settings. From an external point of view, to be sexually free goes against the maternal and social expectations. However, the internal representation, marked by religion, that has been experienced over the years does not change the narratives of sexual experiences, assigning women to traditional role. This role brings conflict more or less assumed by women.

Reformed Theology in Africa Series, 2019

The publisher (AOSIS) endorses the South African 'National Scholarly Book Publishers Forum Best Practice for Peer Review of Scholarly Books.' The manuscript was subjected to rigorous two-step peer review prior to publication, with the identities of the reviewers not revealed to the author(s). The reviewers were independent of the publisher and/or authors in question. The reviewers commented positively on the scholarly merits of the manuscript and recommended that the manuscript be published. Where the reviewers recommended revision and/or improvements to the manuscript, the authors responded adequately to such recommendations. v While reproduction is fairly often touched upon in theological and Christian ethical discussions, reproductive health is not. However, reproductive health is a matter of theological and ethical concern. Discussion pertaining to reproductive health includes a number of debates about, for instance, abortion and the termination of pregnancy, reproductive loss, childlessness, infertility, stillbirth, miscarriage and adoption. Additionally, new reproductive possibilities made available by the development of reproductive technology have necessitated theological and ethical reflection on, for example, surrogacy, post-menopausal pregnancies, litter births, single mothers or fathers by choice, in vitro fertilisation and the so-called saviour siblings. These new developments compel us to reconceive our notions of what reproductive health is or should be. Many of these topics are receiving increasing attention in a variety of theological publications. The focus of this volume is unique, however, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first volume dealing not only with reproductive issues, but also reflecting theologically and ethically on reproductive health. It makes a contribution by providing a variety of perspectives from different theological fields on this theme, and in many chapters, focussing especially on the South African context. These discussions are also part of urgent debates within churches, which require developing life-giving theological language and imaginative theological alternatives that may speak to experiences of matters relating to reproductive health. The popular books, TV series and films that touch upon these discussionsincluding The Handmaid's Tale and Mother! -strengthen the perception that a more in-depth theological and ethical discussion on the theme may be necessary, particularly towards exploring stories and confessions from our faith tradition that may provide us with a timely opportunity to do the important work of theological 'reconceiving'. The target audience includes academics, professionals and researchers. The methodology utilised by the chapters differ, but all take the form of a type of literature study. No empirical research was conducted and the research, therefore, does not pose any ethical risks. The chapters in this volume are all original research that has not been published elsewhere. It includes a diverse range of perspectives from several disciplines. This volume, we hope, will contribute to scholarly discussion and deeper theological and ethical reflection on reproductive health. It aims to offer a comprehensive view of the theme of reproductive health from theological and Christian ethical viewpoints. This is done by providing new and novel lines of inquiry, new topics for discussion and new insights into established research. At the same time, we are also aware that the theme of reproductive health is much broader than can be (re)conceived in one volume and hope that one of the contributions of this volume will be to spark and become part of a larger conversation and discourse.

2012