# The Roman Catholic Church on Viagra? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 13, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702 "2012-02-13T13:02:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/1 "2012-02-13T13:02:46Z")
If the RCC is against Birth Control because it is considered unnatural. does it have the same policy on Viagra etc.? surely that is unnatural; maybe God doesn’t want a man to be able to perform? ---
**Author:** ![BeaMyra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@BeaMyra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeaMyra)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/2 "2012-02-13T13:05:27Z")
Usually the argument for this is along these lines. It’s normal for a man to be able to get an erection. Viagra is correcting this. It makes a man be able to get an erection or maintain it, which is a normal state. A woman getting pregnant is also the “normal” state. Stopping her from this is not returning her to a “normal state.” It’s inhibiting her from a “normal state.” Whether or not you agree is a great debate, but that usually the logic used ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/3 "2012-02-13T13:06:39Z")
[Almost the exact same question](http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1388). ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_Cello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Clark\_Cello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_Cello)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/4 "2012-02-13T13:07:26Z")
I am not Catholic, and have no special knowledge of them, but my guess is that birth control is verboten not just because it is unnatural, but because it goes against the first commandment given to Adam, “Multiply, and replenish the earth”. Viagra, on the other hand, has the potential to assist in the replenishing. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/5 "2012-02-13T13:50:52Z")
> [@monavis](#): > > If the RCC is against Birth Control because it is considered unnatural. does it have the same policy on Viagra etc.? surely that is unnatural;\*\* maybe God doesn’t want a man to be able to perform?\*\* I’m not so sure that the stance is against performance, but for the ability to reproduce. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/6 "2012-02-14T02:08:02Z")
> [@Clark\_Cello](#): > > I am not Catholic, and have no special knowledge of them, but my guess is that birth control is verboten not just because it is unnatural, but because it goes against the first commandment given to Adam, “Multiply, and replenish the earth”. Viagra, on the other hand, has the potential to assist in the replenishing. One could say the earth is well replenished. Even here in the USA it is stated that one out of every six children go humgry. Haiti is a good example, as well as South Africia where there are families with 4 or 5 starving children that are like little skeletons with glassy eyes. Were that the case of replenishing the earth then the Church’s method they approve (which is unnatural, it is not natural for a couple to have sex only when the woman can’t conceive0 Is not following that mandate!. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/7 "2012-02-14T02:11:55Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I’m not so sure that the stance is against performance, but for the ability to reproduce. And pray tell how many men use it so they can reprocuce? The purpose of Viagra is to make it possible to perforn when the moment is right, and a woman is most receptive during her fertile period.unless her fear of pregnancy holds her back. I have had friends who have told me this. It put a strain on their marriage and one case even got divoriced. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/8 "2012-02-14T02:13:19Z")
Since the OP seems to be interested in debating the Church’s stance rather than in just factual information, I am moving this to GD. I also edited the title to make the subject clearer. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/9 "2012-02-14T02:20:56Z")
**monavis** : Few people on this MB are going to defend the RCC here, but it’s stance is simple enough to understand, unless you try really hard not to understand it. The RCC is not against recreational sex within marriage. Hence the rhythm method. Birth control prevents conception, which the RCC sees as God’s decision, not man’s. There is no commandment in the Bible that people should limit their reproduction if food is scarce. In fact, Jesus specifically tells us not to worry about that-- God will provide, if we have faith. The RCC is about fostering that faith. End of story. This is not rocket science. You have not discovered the long sought after “gotcha” on this subject. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/10 "2012-02-14T02:46:09Z")
> [@monavis](#): > > And pray tell how many men use it so they can reprocuce? The purpose of Viagra is to make it possible to perforn when the moment is right, and a woman is most receptive during her fertile period.unless her fear of pregnancy holds her back. I have had friends who have told me this. It put a strain on their marriage and one case even got divoriced. I was going to comment on the strain on some relationships and marriages but it was in GQ then. But when it all comes down to it sex leads to babies, which if done in a marriage seems to get the stamp of approval from the RCC. And I’ve heard that pregnancy can happen at other times then the expected fertile period, even when using multiple forms of birth control, and I believe the RCC contends that once it didn’t even require a man. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/11 "2012-02-14T03:23:45Z")
As long as it used in hetro/in marriage sex then there is no issue here. Umm unnatural is not the reason for dislike of birth control. It would promote: 1: Lowering of moral standards as defined by them [which it has] 2: Potential to degrade women [pron] 3: Single parents [now at 60% of US mums] So all the things that they said would happen in the '60s have come to pass… ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/12 "2012-02-14T06:56:43Z")
The Roman Catholic Church on Viagra? What a horrible idea. They are big enough pricks as it is. 😃 (Someone had to say it). ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/13 "2012-02-14T06:59:14Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > The Roman Catholic Church on Viagra? > > What a horrible idea. They are big enough pricks as it is. > > 😃 > > (Someone had to say it). The Roman Catholic Church on Viagra? Glad I’m not a nine year old boy. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/14 "2012-02-14T10:11:29Z")
> [@monavis](#): > > South Africia where there are families with 4 or 5 starving children that are like little skeletons with glassy eyes. :dubious: Cite? Assuming You _meant_ South Africa and not, say, Somalia. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/15 "2012-02-14T10:38:37Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > The Roman Catholic Church on Viagra? I suppose that’s one way to get children praying again. (sorry all) ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/16 "2012-02-14T11:48:35Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Since the OP seems to be interested in debating the Church’s stance rather than in just factual information, I am moving this to GD. I also edited the title to make the subject clearer. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator Thank You, I wasn’t sure where to put it. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/17 "2012-02-14T11:56:32Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > The Roman Catholic Church on Viagra? Glad I’m not a nine year old boy. /aside: Interesting really, if someone were to produce cites showing that gays molest children at ten times the rate straights do he’d be hounded off the boards for accusing all gays of being kiddy-fiddlers at every opportunity, yet in the absence of any evidence that Roman Catholic priests are more prone than the general population to this vice it’s acceptable to talk as if all of them do nothing else. :rolleyes: Just comes down to which oxen you consider it acceptable to gore really. ~not a Roman Catholic ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/18 "2012-02-14T12:04:56Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > **monavis** : Few people on this MB are going to defend the RCC here, but it’s stance is simple enough to understand, unless you try really hard not to understand it. > > The RCC is not against recreational sex within marriage. Hence the rhythm method. Birth control prevents conception, which the RCC sees as God’s decision, not man’s. There is no commandment in the Bible that people should limit their reproduction if food is scarce. In fact, Jesus specifically tells us not to worry about that-- God will provide, if we have faith. The RCC is about fostering that faith. > > End of story. This is not rocket science. You have not discovered the long sought after “gotcha” on this subject. I wasn’t trying to find the" gotcha" I was trying to find out the justification for allowing even the Used to be called Rhythm method which also stops conception. I personaly know people who had troubled Marriages because of such a method,So in a way they are going against God’s method,and I doubt that a loving God would want children born to parents that don’t want them, can’t feed, educate,clothe,or get proper medical help or education. If one looks to Haiti(as an example) one can see God doesn’t provide, and the old adage ,“God helps them, that help themselves” applies. If God so chose, then this same God could make any method fail. Didn’t this same God block the wombs of the Israelites enemies so they couldn’t reproduce? Celibacy is surely not natural,but they priests and nuns take a vow to be celibate! Perhaps that is why i know a couple of my relatives( 2 nuns and one priest), that have had several breakdowns? ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/19 "2012-02-14T12:06:11Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I was going to comment on the strain on some relationships and marriages but it was in GQ then. > > But when it all comes down to it sex leads to babies, which if done in a marriage seems to get the stamp of approval from the RCC. > > And I’ve heard that pregnancy can happen at other times then the expected fertile period, even when using multiple forms of birth control, and I believe the RCC contends that once it didn’t even require a man. It does require a sperm, that only comes from a man. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702/20 "2012-02-14T12:15:23Z")
> [@sisu](#): > > As long as it used in hetro/in marriage sex then there is no issue here. Umm unnatural is not the reason for dislike of birth control. > > It would promote: > 1: Lowering of moral standards as defined by them [which it has] > 2: Potential to degrade women [pron] > 3: Single parents [now at 60% of US mums] > > So all the things that they said would happen in the '60s have come to pass… Having live through the depression and am in my 80’s i can tell you there was many babies born out of wedlock, it was kept a secret, and there were back door Abortions, and yes, even incest! To make a woman (or a man for that matter) not to be able to think for themselves, or make decisions about their own families because of guilt is no better than now. Believe me( or not) back in the 30’s there was a lot of things that just were not talked about. A girl was sent away and had the child adopted, or the mother and girl went on a vacation and the mother passed on the child as hers. There was no more moral people then,than there is now, just because it is more public and open doesn’t make the Good Old days any better. People are more honest now than they were then, or it could be there just are a lot more people so the percentage is about the same! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-roman-catholic-church-on-viagra/612702.md?page=2)