Uncharted Catholic Man

Christopher West is the face of the Theology of the Body in most Catholic circles, aside from Pope John Paul II himself (Karol Wojtyła). Craig wrote to Christopher West and asked him two questions. Question 1: What does the Church teach about the morality or licitness of "other acts" (i.e. those acts between a husband and wife that result in climax but don't involve or occur at the time of intercourse. Question 2: Why does the Church teach that, and what is the harm that he believes comes to marriage.

Craig discusses and addresses some recent criticisms of the podcast, and the motives of Craig and Jonah with respect to the topics they discuss and the reasons behind them. If you have any question, comment, criticism, or would like to record a conversation with Craig and/or Jonah, please go to the Link Tree above and send us an email.

"In his podcast today, Christopher West seemed to contend that the female orgasm is intertwined with procreation because it can assist the female body in drawing the sperm up inside where conception occurs. Does this support the distinction the priest in question is making?

Craig reflects on the concept of PMAS and why it is such a strong force for men, and a major source of confusion between husbands and wives. The male sex drive is much less about the urge for the pleasure of the act itself, and more about the healthy balance and peace of mind it creates in the days after intimacy. Craig discusses questions like: Do men need sex, is sex a need, nobody dies from a lack of sex, or do they. It all depends on what we need by need, and what standard we have for our spouses.

Craig and Jonah discuss a concept addressed by Pope Benedict, and the so-called "dark passages" of Scripture, and specifically the Old Testament, and how we should view those passages to the extent they challenge or contradict Catholic doctrine and/or our modern sensibilities. They specifically discuss whether the Story of Onan, the only man to be killed for pulling out, and the ongoing effect that passage has had and continues to have on Catholic understanding and teaching of marriage and sexuality (i.e. onanism). Do we need to evaluate the Story of Onan through this same lens, or are we to view it in the strict sense, and that God was so angered by the idea that Onan would deposit his seed in an unnatural way, that He struck him down?

Craig shares his personal reflections on the NFP (Natural Family Planning) roller coster, the abstinence and suffering that goes with it, and the hope that there's ultimately a purpose and merit in what we go through in our efforts to be faithful Catholic and Christian married couples using natural family planning. Be sure to check out our videos on PMAS (Post martial act syndrome). https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX75rIeVl16OTjijBdKEB1pg6yVqRfLwJ

Mission Impossible: sexless marriages and the search for answers on Onan continues.

Craig discusses a recent trip to a neighboring Church during the confirmation of one of his children. A trip to the basement of the church with an antsy toddler led him to the dusty church library, where he immediately resumed the search for answers on Onan and more. Check out this episode to see what he found.

Craig and Jonah discuss the topic of frequency and how much intimacy can affect marriage positively or negatively, depending on how frequent it occurs. #catholicpodcast #unchartedcatholicman #nfp #naturalfamilyplanning #marriage #catholicmarriage #abstinence #theologyofthebody #catechism #catholiccatechism #humanaevitae #contraception #chastity #faithfullness #catholic

We've talked a lot about how the Church, wives, priests, and others need to distinguish masturbation from porn and masturbation and porn from infidelity or actual affairs. We want to normalize the conversation about husband's struggles with porn or masturbation without normalizing the acts themselves. Catholics marriages struggle under the yokes of these sins. Marriages can be transformed when these matters are discussed, especially when wives understand the struggles their husbands have.

Craig and Jonah discuss the need for a manual or instruction handbook for Catholic couples. Catholic marriage prep doesn't cover the how to of intimacy, making it pleasurable, and achieving orgasm climax for both spouses. What is morally licit for Catholics. Why are we so afraid to talk about the practical realities of intimacy? And for those of us who learned things the hard way, do we share with with the next generation, and do they even want to hear it?