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Sex au Naturel: What It Is and Why It's Good for Your Marriage
Sex Au Naturel: What It Is and Why It s Good For Your Marriage by radio host Patrick Coffin is a bracing ride across the landscape of the Catholic sexual ethic. If you re looking for intellectual ammo with which to defend and explain the teaching of Humanae Vitae, or if you reject it altogether, you ll agree that Coffin approaches the topic from a wide array of new and persuasive angles. With humor and enthusiasm and a total absence of moralizing you'll learn:
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2010
11 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Coffin
7 books23 followersPatrick Coffin is a Nova Scotia born writer and host of the number-one rated Catholic radio show in America, Catholic Answers Live. He holds a master’s degree in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, a graduate diploma in philosophy from McGill University in Montreal, and a double major bachelor’s degree from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. He is also a part-time professional magician and full-time husband to an Inca queen and father to their two royal princesses.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 18, 2012
I'm too biased to write a fair review of this book. This book is definitely for Catholics, which I'm not. Definitely for subservient women, which I'm not. And certainly for theological historians, which I'm also not. But it was sort of interesting to read others' perspectives on women, family, and birth control. Hmph....I should read the descriptions more carefully before trying to win books in the future.
January 25, 2013
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway, and I couldn't be happier to have received it. I was very intrigued in this topic on three levels. First, the topic of the Catholic teachings on birth control and NFP have been hot topics in our news recently, what with the controversy over Obama's health care plan and Catholic hospitals, and now also with the discussion about convents. Second, I was interested from a scholastic viewpoint, as I study gender history and even worked for a summer at the Margaret Sanger Papers Project, so issues of marriage and family planning are always of interest to me.
Finally, I was interested from a personal viewpoint. I will clarify a few things from my personal position before I continue. I am a married Protestant, have generally attended non-denominational churches, and am fairly conservative both theologically and therefore also politically by most people's standards. I would say that I am decently informed on the Catholic Church, which means I am neither an expert but likely I am more familiar with Catholic teaching and practice than the average Protestant you might meet on the street, and I'm also very sympathetic with many Catholic teachings. I also have a number of close Catholic friends. Approaching this book, I had a very open mind and to some extent I wanted the book to convince me. It is from this perspective that I write the rest of my review, particularly because one of the perceived goals stated on the page is to reach out to audiences beyond a Catholic circle, so I will focus on my experiences in this light.
I think one of the key things this book will do is provide an eye-opening discussion of many things that, from my experience, the average person and mainline Protestants generally do not hear often. These are the reminders that most churches did not support birth control until the 1930s, that the birth control pill does carry serious health risks, and NFP is not the rhythm method (and is actually effective!), and more. I will not elaborate, mostly because these were things I had already pondered on before, but upon reflection I did realize there was a lot that was being said that, to someone who was unfamiliar with these topics, would probably strike them as very disturbing. Likewise, there is a nice introduction to the Catholic literature on artificial birth control and what exactly this literature says in the first few chapters, which I presume would be helpful both to Protestants and unsure Catholics alike.
I will admit that there were many elements that I simply found unconvincing from a Protestant perspective. As I stated earlier, I wanted to be convinced so much that I found my skepticism on so many points surprising. For anyone steeped in sola scriptura, much of the chapter on church authority will likely not hold the amount of water that the author might wish. This is not a problem because of the author; the issue of papal authority and what one understands about the nature of the Catholic Church are simply issues that are much bigger than his limited focus on birth control, even though they are integral to it. I felt that the author did a great job of explaining them in accessible way so one might be able to approach the topic from the Catholic understanding, but I wouldn't expect this understanding to convince a skeptic from only this book. Secondly, the chapter on the Biblical verses I found to be horrible misinterpretations of some scriptures. I looked some of them up at my husband's bidding and I was shocked to find that many verses in the chapter seemed to be taken very much out of context, such that their content was interpreted almost opposite of how the surrounding Biblical passages might suggest.
In spite of these criticisms, I found the book not only interesting and informative, but convincing on many levels. I've hinted at this before, but the author's writing style is very accessible and a bit cheeky and fun, which is desirable for a book on this topic. Ultimately, I find the "sex au naturel" viewpoint (i.e. no artificial birth control) intuitively ordered and right on an intellectual level or "spirit" level, if that makes sense. By this, I mean that there is something very wrong in the contraceptive view of the world, which acts in fear and tries to prevent children, often for completely silly reasons, instead of seeing them as gifts of life from God. The book describes it as a charitable view towards children, and I think this is fundamentally important. It is in the brass tacks of the physical processes that I become more confused. I understand shunning the diseased sense of spirit that can stem from a contraceptive act, and I also understand the concerns that contraception robs some respect from women and can remove something from the sex act. But when one takes away the attitude, and simply compares the contraceptive sexual act to natural family planning, I do still fail to see a difference in the act itself. That is not to say that one is not offered; the general idea is that in NFP one sticks to the bodily processes that God has designed and chooses abstinence, whereas artificial birth control is contraceptive in the literal meaning that it contracepts a birth. Yet, it seems to me that one cannot make this argument without giving contraception all too high a success rate - one that even God's will cannot penetrate - while likewise denying just how poor in spirit one must be to stick to NFP for a life. (To be fair, the author addresses my second point, but it again goes back to the point of right attitude.) This became even more confusing to me when, dropped in the middle of the chapter on why procedures like in vitro fertilization and surrogate motherhood are wrong, the author makes it clear that the church accepts medical procedures that would work with natural processes to make women more fertile, such as fertility drugs or moving an egg past a blockage in a fallopian tube.
Please do not misinterpret my last paragraph to mean I found the book to be in error, however. While the book might not have answered some of my own questions as clearly as I might have liked, it remains both accessible and convincing in the bigger picture. With this big picture understanding, the smaller things that seem very difficult to understand also seem to become less important. This is not breaking the link between thought and action, which would be unacceptable, but in the sense that the actions seem to point a certain way intuitively, even in spite of making perfect sense at the time. I would encourage any Catholics trying to understand the Church's teachings on birth control to read this book, and open-minded Protestants could certainly give the book a go.
Finally, I was interested from a personal viewpoint. I will clarify a few things from my personal position before I continue. I am a married Protestant, have generally attended non-denominational churches, and am fairly conservative both theologically and therefore also politically by most people's standards. I would say that I am decently informed on the Catholic Church, which means I am neither an expert but likely I am more familiar with Catholic teaching and practice than the average Protestant you might meet on the street, and I'm also very sympathetic with many Catholic teachings. I also have a number of close Catholic friends. Approaching this book, I had a very open mind and to some extent I wanted the book to convince me. It is from this perspective that I write the rest of my review, particularly because one of the perceived goals stated on the page is to reach out to audiences beyond a Catholic circle, so I will focus on my experiences in this light.
I think one of the key things this book will do is provide an eye-opening discussion of many things that, from my experience, the average person and mainline Protestants generally do not hear often. These are the reminders that most churches did not support birth control until the 1930s, that the birth control pill does carry serious health risks, and NFP is not the rhythm method (and is actually effective!), and more. I will not elaborate, mostly because these were things I had already pondered on before, but upon reflection I did realize there was a lot that was being said that, to someone who was unfamiliar with these topics, would probably strike them as very disturbing. Likewise, there is a nice introduction to the Catholic literature on artificial birth control and what exactly this literature says in the first few chapters, which I presume would be helpful both to Protestants and unsure Catholics alike.
I will admit that there were many elements that I simply found unconvincing from a Protestant perspective. As I stated earlier, I wanted to be convinced so much that I found my skepticism on so many points surprising. For anyone steeped in sola scriptura, much of the chapter on church authority will likely not hold the amount of water that the author might wish. This is not a problem because of the author; the issue of papal authority and what one understands about the nature of the Catholic Church are simply issues that are much bigger than his limited focus on birth control, even though they are integral to it. I felt that the author did a great job of explaining them in accessible way so one might be able to approach the topic from the Catholic understanding, but I wouldn't expect this understanding to convince a skeptic from only this book. Secondly, the chapter on the Biblical verses I found to be horrible misinterpretations of some scriptures. I looked some of them up at my husband's bidding and I was shocked to find that many verses in the chapter seemed to be taken very much out of context, such that their content was interpreted almost opposite of how the surrounding Biblical passages might suggest.
In spite of these criticisms, I found the book not only interesting and informative, but convincing on many levels. I've hinted at this before, but the author's writing style is very accessible and a bit cheeky and fun, which is desirable for a book on this topic. Ultimately, I find the "sex au naturel" viewpoint (i.e. no artificial birth control) intuitively ordered and right on an intellectual level or "spirit" level, if that makes sense. By this, I mean that there is something very wrong in the contraceptive view of the world, which acts in fear and tries to prevent children, often for completely silly reasons, instead of seeing them as gifts of life from God. The book describes it as a charitable view towards children, and I think this is fundamentally important. It is in the brass tacks of the physical processes that I become more confused. I understand shunning the diseased sense of spirit that can stem from a contraceptive act, and I also understand the concerns that contraception robs some respect from women and can remove something from the sex act. But when one takes away the attitude, and simply compares the contraceptive sexual act to natural family planning, I do still fail to see a difference in the act itself. That is not to say that one is not offered; the general idea is that in NFP one sticks to the bodily processes that God has designed and chooses abstinence, whereas artificial birth control is contraceptive in the literal meaning that it contracepts a birth. Yet, it seems to me that one cannot make this argument without giving contraception all too high a success rate - one that even God's will cannot penetrate - while likewise denying just how poor in spirit one must be to stick to NFP for a life. (To be fair, the author addresses my second point, but it again goes back to the point of right attitude.) This became even more confusing to me when, dropped in the middle of the chapter on why procedures like in vitro fertilization and surrogate motherhood are wrong, the author makes it clear that the church accepts medical procedures that would work with natural processes to make women more fertile, such as fertility drugs or moving an egg past a blockage in a fallopian tube.
Please do not misinterpret my last paragraph to mean I found the book to be in error, however. While the book might not have answered some of my own questions as clearly as I might have liked, it remains both accessible and convincing in the bigger picture. With this big picture understanding, the smaller things that seem very difficult to understand also seem to become less important. This is not breaking the link between thought and action, which would be unacceptable, but in the sense that the actions seem to point a certain way intuitively, even in spite of making perfect sense at the time. I would encourage any Catholics trying to understand the Church's teachings on birth control to read this book, and open-minded Protestants could certainly give the book a go.
May 15, 2011
For a long time one of the few popular resources on the truth about contraception has been Dr. Janet Smith's talk "Contraception, why not." Now we can add another resource to that arsenal. "Sex au Naturel: What It Is and Why It's Good for Your Marriage" by Patrick Coffin is thorough review of the subject for the popular audience.
I really like this book in that it totally told the truth about contraception, but not in manner that will make people who might being using contraception or had themselves sterilized simply stop reading. The book is filled is many short chapters that help the reader by providing the proper background so that they can understand the theological distinctions required. So for example a review on the natural law is given.
Also given is the modern historical context related to how contraception came to be accepted in modern times and the role that Anglicanism provided in putting that crack in the dam that made the constant teaching of Christianity through the time of the Protestant reformer to now to run aside from the truth. The groundwork for wide acceptance of the pill was mainly laid in the 1930s, but had been building up. Pope Paul VI "Humanae Vitae" was a shock to both Catholics and the general public who had generally expected a shift by the church on this especially regarding the leaks from the group that had advised the Pope on this. The aftermath of this was quite messy especially since this was the flowering of so much dissent and bad theology. This history the book provides on this encyclical is intriguing.
One thing that makes this book so good is that Patrick Coffin was himself once a dissenter growing up in a environment in Canada that encouraged such dissent from the Canadian Bishops Conference on down. The second chapter gives a short version of his conversion story and how it was the encyclical itself "Humanae Vitae" that started his change when he took the effort to actually read it. Given this background it helps him to understand the information that others need to know to understand this teaching.
The contraceptive mindset is one that has taken on much force yet most people don't think much about their beliefs on this subject. To my detriment I once accepted the whole culture of death philosophy regarding children. The environmental and population hysteria of the seventies led me to many errors in belief and after having one son and one daughter I had myself sterilized at a relatively young age. I even publicly joked on the subject that having one of each I had bagged the limit and I was done. Not only that I encouraged a coworker to do the same and he did. In a list of worst things I have ever done this sterilization pretty much topped the list, but it was only as I was approaching the Church did I realize the extent of my folly and the attitude that went behind it. This book addresses such sterilization's and why they are wrong and ways for regretful Catholics to atone for this as to the possibility for some of surgical reversals or other suggestions. I certainly had not idea of the various side-effects listed in the book and the disclaimers I signed for surgery at a Naval Hospital did not mention many of them. The spiritual side-effects are much worse.
The book also goes into the subject of IVF and other aspects of what happens when you separate sex from procreation. The subject of NFP vs. Contraception is also covered quite well and this is important since so many people get hung up on these distinction which they group as one thing. I just haven't read anything that covered the whole topic as well and from multiple angles as this book. I think it will be extremely helpful for those who have fallen into lie of contraception to understand why it is indeed a lie and for faithful Catholics who want to have some good arguments to use in speaking with others on the subject.
For those such as myself who quite appreciate Patrick Coffin's humor as host of Catholic Answers live you will be happy to find some of his humor in this book, but it is not intrusive and more effort is made for providing solid content than into cracking jokes. An excellent read that I hope makes it into the hands of many people.
I really like this book in that it totally told the truth about contraception, but not in manner that will make people who might being using contraception or had themselves sterilized simply stop reading. The book is filled is many short chapters that help the reader by providing the proper background so that they can understand the theological distinctions required. So for example a review on the natural law is given.
Also given is the modern historical context related to how contraception came to be accepted in modern times and the role that Anglicanism provided in putting that crack in the dam that made the constant teaching of Christianity through the time of the Protestant reformer to now to run aside from the truth. The groundwork for wide acceptance of the pill was mainly laid in the 1930s, but had been building up. Pope Paul VI "Humanae Vitae" was a shock to both Catholics and the general public who had generally expected a shift by the church on this especially regarding the leaks from the group that had advised the Pope on this. The aftermath of this was quite messy especially since this was the flowering of so much dissent and bad theology. This history the book provides on this encyclical is intriguing.
One thing that makes this book so good is that Patrick Coffin was himself once a dissenter growing up in a environment in Canada that encouraged such dissent from the Canadian Bishops Conference on down. The second chapter gives a short version of his conversion story and how it was the encyclical itself "Humanae Vitae" that started his change when he took the effort to actually read it. Given this background it helps him to understand the information that others need to know to understand this teaching.
The contraceptive mindset is one that has taken on much force yet most people don't think much about their beliefs on this subject. To my detriment I once accepted the whole culture of death philosophy regarding children. The environmental and population hysteria of the seventies led me to many errors in belief and after having one son and one daughter I had myself sterilized at a relatively young age. I even publicly joked on the subject that having one of each I had bagged the limit and I was done. Not only that I encouraged a coworker to do the same and he did. In a list of worst things I have ever done this sterilization pretty much topped the list, but it was only as I was approaching the Church did I realize the extent of my folly and the attitude that went behind it. This book addresses such sterilization's and why they are wrong and ways for regretful Catholics to atone for this as to the possibility for some of surgical reversals or other suggestions. I certainly had not idea of the various side-effects listed in the book and the disclaimers I signed for surgery at a Naval Hospital did not mention many of them. The spiritual side-effects are much worse.
The book also goes into the subject of IVF and other aspects of what happens when you separate sex from procreation. The subject of NFP vs. Contraception is also covered quite well and this is important since so many people get hung up on these distinction which they group as one thing. I just haven't read anything that covered the whole topic as well and from multiple angles as this book. I think it will be extremely helpful for those who have fallen into lie of contraception to understand why it is indeed a lie and for faithful Catholics who want to have some good arguments to use in speaking with others on the subject.
For those such as myself who quite appreciate Patrick Coffin's humor as host of Catholic Answers live you will be happy to find some of his humor in this book, but it is not intrusive and more effort is made for providing solid content than into cracking jokes. An excellent read that I hope makes it into the hands of many people.
Read
July 5, 2016 Coffin neatly summarizes the growing opposition to artificial birth control in this 130 page book that can be easily read in about three hours; notetaking would extend the reading to four.
Some memorable items and ideas include the following. A list of twelve items in a quiz (xviii) and their answers [77ff] will shock contemporary readers who think that contraception was wanted by everybody in all places at all times. Coffin makes the case that sex which is not burdened by contraception is as “organic” and “green” (xxi) as the social movements that these terms signify. He cogently argues that contemporary society suffers from “sexual schizophrenia” (48).
Some trenchant quotes include the following. “Despite sincere protestations, those who accept contraception implicitly accept every other sexual coupling that is shorn from conception” (49). Natural law, the basis for sex au naturel, is simple and can be defined as “that which rational beings must do in order to perfect their natures” [63]. “The Church has never commanded families to propagate into poverty” (84). Sex on infertile days is not the same as birth control because God designed the “natural rhythm of fertility and infertility” (114). The Church never forbade sex on infertile days (115). Finally, “Rich is the irony that an over-sexualized, anti-baby culture should excel at producing technologies aimed at making babies without sex!” (122).
Couples who sterilized themselves may especially want to reach chapter nine [99ff] for a discussion of how that serious abuse of their sexuality can be overcome.
I recommend this book for young people seeking the sacrament of matrimony, those who have contracepted themselves surgically, and those husbands and wives who think that contraception is necessary when they have sex with their spouses. Protestant Christians will be especially encouraged to know that many are not only rediscovering what the Reformers said about contraception, but also abandoning the sexual distortions of late twentieth-century theologians on the matter.
Some memorable items and ideas include the following. A list of twelve items in a quiz (xviii) and their answers [77ff] will shock contemporary readers who think that contraception was wanted by everybody in all places at all times. Coffin makes the case that sex which is not burdened by contraception is as “organic” and “green” (xxi) as the social movements that these terms signify. He cogently argues that contemporary society suffers from “sexual schizophrenia” (48).
Some trenchant quotes include the following. “Despite sincere protestations, those who accept contraception implicitly accept every other sexual coupling that is shorn from conception” (49). Natural law, the basis for sex au naturel, is simple and can be defined as “that which rational beings must do in order to perfect their natures” [63]. “The Church has never commanded families to propagate into poverty” (84). Sex on infertile days is not the same as birth control because God designed the “natural rhythm of fertility and infertility” (114). The Church never forbade sex on infertile days (115). Finally, “Rich is the irony that an over-sexualized, anti-baby culture should excel at producing technologies aimed at making babies without sex!” (122).
Couples who sterilized themselves may especially want to reach chapter nine [99ff] for a discussion of how that serious abuse of their sexuality can be overcome.
I recommend this book for young people seeking the sacrament of matrimony, those who have contracepted themselves surgically, and those husbands and wives who think that contraception is necessary when they have sex with their spouses. Protestant Christians will be especially encouraged to know that many are not only rediscovering what the Reformers said about contraception, but also abandoning the sexual distortions of late twentieth-century theologians on the matter.
November 25, 2012
I was very disappointed in this book. It is so very limited in its scope. It is just for Catholics, and frankly built mostly on the main tradition of guilt. A couple of points stood out to me; the Author uses slaves and adultery to make a case against contraception. I mean really? Maybe these things were acceptable at that time, just as birth control is acceptable in our time. It's time for the Church to catch up. The arguments against contraception including the Bible references were vague at best. Nowhere in the Bible does it say you cannot limit the amount of children you have. The Author also repeatedly refers to women who cannot have children, those who are barren, as "cursed". So, I had one child and because of my health was struck barren...now I am "cursed by God"? That's a heavy handed statement for this gentlemen to make. The so called Granddaddy passage is ridiculous; he was killed for two reasons 1. He disobeyed his father. 2. His perversion (considered masterbation, not withholding children). Above all else I believe our God to be loving, caring, God. I believe sometimes people can get a little too "preachy" and judgmental, instead of going out and living the life. I am very thankful to have won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, it was still informative!
May 30, 2012
This book was indeed an eye opening read. I wish I read this book before believing all the societal propaganda about what the Church teaches. This book is a good primer over the hot button issues over sexuality and reproduction. I am happy to see that the Church position is reasonable and not mere Sola Fides et Scriptura based credulity, but an intellectually gratifying position as well. I am also happy to see the Over-Population Myth busted in this book as well. There are 3 types of people who should read this book: (1) Devout Catholics who are confused over Moral Theology over Sex and Social Issues (2) Ex-Catholics or Fall Away Catholics who believed the Social Propaganda directed against Christ and His Church and (3) Those who Ironically enough who are argue from the other side of the debate, take the time to understand what the Church teaches RATHER than the Straw-Men people create. In the end, the description for this book keeps its word, it is NOT some moralizing book rather it states the facts and argues from reason.
April 21, 2016
This is a pretty fair introduction to why the Catholic Church stands where it does on the subject of contraception. There's a good deal of historical information and a decent introduction to Humanae Vitae and Theology of the Body.
However, this book definitely left something to be desired, and I immediately followed it up with Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West. It was kind of a bummer that Patrick Coffin mentions Karol Wojtyla frequently but doesn't point out that this man became Pope John Paul II-- I was a little embarrassed when I learned this as I read West's book.
Although I do think he kept to his promise of not backing anyone into a corner if he doesn't live by the Church's teaching, I didn't really like the tone of the book in some portions. By that I mean that in some parts it would probably benefit more as an argument of the Church's position on contraception rather than as an argument to counter those who oppose the Church.
Overall it was pretty good for someone who wants to understand this teaching better.
However, this book definitely left something to be desired, and I immediately followed it up with Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West. It was kind of a bummer that Patrick Coffin mentions Karol Wojtyla frequently but doesn't point out that this man became Pope John Paul II-- I was a little embarrassed when I learned this as I read West's book.
Although I do think he kept to his promise of not backing anyone into a corner if he doesn't live by the Church's teaching, I didn't really like the tone of the book in some portions. By that I mean that in some parts it would probably benefit more as an argument of the Church's position on contraception rather than as an argument to counter those who oppose the Church.
Overall it was pretty good for someone who wants to understand this teaching better.
August 18, 2017
This book is a great introduction to the whys and wherefores of Natural Family Planning, for people who are already Catholic (or at the very least, committed Christians).
I was disappointed because I had hoped it would be more broadly applicable. I'm looking for a book that would cover all the many marvelous reasons for going "natural" with one's fertility, that one could share even with people who are not "there yet" spiritually--the reasons of physical health, sexual satisfaction, relationship health, social benefits, environmental benefits, etc., etc. This is not that book. IS there such a book? Please let me know if you find one! If not, let me know if you'd be interested in co-writing one, because it is urgently needed.
I was disappointed because I had hoped it would be more broadly applicable. I'm looking for a book that would cover all the many marvelous reasons for going "natural" with one's fertility, that one could share even with people who are not "there yet" spiritually--the reasons of physical health, sexual satisfaction, relationship health, social benefits, environmental benefits, etc., etc. This is not that book. IS there such a book? Please let me know if you find one! If not, let me know if you'd be interested in co-writing one, because it is urgently needed.
September 17, 2010
Patrick Coffin does a good job at making the subject of martial sexual ethics (most specifically contraception) readable. For those who have not considered the subject, Mr. Coffin provides ample thought provoking discussion which should lead the reader to do some "soul searching" about decisions they are making. Even for those who are steeped in the Church's teaching Mr. Coffin provides some "golden nuggets" of insight which help to make things clearer. One example is as follows, "If human life is sacred and inviolable, then the means of transmitting human life must be in some way sacred and inviolable."
June 10, 2010
Great introduction to the Church's teaching on sexuality, focusing on contraception, of course, and how living those teachings improves marriage. Funny, down-to-earth, easy to read, comprehensive. Highly recommended for anyone who has questions or doubts, for anyone who has a friend or family member with questions or doubts.
August 25, 2012
On the question of the Church’s teaching on sexuality, this 2010 book is notable for its clarity and wit. Peter Kreeft writes in the foreword, “Patrick Coffin has done for Christopher West what Christopher West has done for John Paul II” – and I agree. At 134 pages, it is a concise treatment of the vast topic of human sexuality, and Coffin covers the bases – entertainingly.
September 21, 2011
An engaging and thorough treatise on why contraception is wrong, and always has been, based on Biblical and natural law. Recommended for those who disagree with the premise, or those who, like me, aren't always able to articulately defend my position against contraception.
September 25, 2012
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway would not recommend unless you're a devout Catholic.
June 2, 2012
First read. I entered this for a friend and got it. She just loved it and felt connected to it from what she said to me.
October 8, 2012
Quick read. Could have used a little more depth, but covers a lot of different angles.
Read
April 12, 2021Honestly kind of a popularization of a popularization of the Church’s teaching on contraception. No huge insights here.
June 13, 2022
Don't like Coffin, already knew all this, but I guess this book will be helpful for some
November 19, 2014
There were some odd correlations made throughout the book that threw me off from my thought process as well as ellaborate and abstract ways of describing common phrases. I have come to expect that from Patrick Coffin, though, by listening to him host Catholic Answers Live each day. He has a certain sense of humor that comes out in this book. You either enjoy it or it is very annoying.
I did appreciate how he built up his case but I wish that parts of chapter 10 were spread out throughout the book. It is one thing to build your idea from the ground up but in a book (even as short as this one), the read tends to become disinterested if the main reason for purchasing this book is to find out about what and why Catholics are against contraception. (Spoiler Alert) Even though Coffin includes extensive background into the Catholic faith and touches on ideas that lead up to being against contraception, he doesn't tackle the issue 'head on' until chapter 10. There are 11 chapters in this book.
I did appreciate how he built up his case but I wish that parts of chapter 10 were spread out throughout the book. It is one thing to build your idea from the ground up but in a book (even as short as this one), the read tends to become disinterested if the main reason for purchasing this book is to find out about what and why Catholics are against contraception. (Spoiler Alert) Even though Coffin includes extensive background into the Catholic faith and touches on ideas that lead up to being against contraception, he doesn't tackle the issue 'head on' until chapter 10. There are 11 chapters in this book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews