The Ten Commandments in the Law of Christ (16 Specific Problem of Chastity II)

Let us know the Author Dr. Felix Podimattam OFM Cap. Dr. Felix Podimattam is one of the best known Indian authors in the field of ethics and morality. He holds a Master's degree in Political Science from the University of Mysore, a Licentiate degree in theology from Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome and a Doctoral degree in Moral Theology from the Alphonsian Academy, Rome. His doctoral thesis 'The Relativity of Natural Law' is acclaimed as exceptionally excellent. The thesis was guided by the eminent Moral Theologian, Bernard Haering, who influenced the renewal of Moral teachings of the Church during and after the Vatican II. Dr. Podimattam is resident professor at St. Francis Theological College, Kottayam and has been the founding member and first president of the Indian Moral Theologians Association. Most of his books, numbering over 120, are published by Media House, Delhi. Having gone through most of his books, let me highlight the most significant characteristics of his writings. First of all, he engages in a creative dialogue with other authors on every topic of discussion. Second, he tries to compare and integrate, as far as possible, the visions and views of other religions. Third, he holds a very positive attitude to life in general, especially to human body, sexuality, etc. Fourth, he is a keen observer of the socio-political and religious happenings in the society and responds to them immediately. His book on 'Fast unto death' during the upheaval of fisher people's struggle in the eighties and his book on 'Da Vinci Code' a few years ago, where he gives a theological response to journalism with half-truths, are worth mentioning here. Fifth, he has taken keen interest on equal rights and dignity to women in the Church as well as in the society. In the context of widespread discrimination against women in the Church and society he published a six-volume work titled: 'In praise of the woman'. Sixth, he holds on to the sacredness of life in all its forms and he has published books on topics like abortion, euthanasia, etc. Seventh, we find in his writings a harmonious blending of the traditional wisdom with its emphasis on fundamental Christian values as well as the findings of modern sciences like psychology, sociology, anthropology, etc, as well as the latest fruits of biblical exegesis. The latest contribution of Dr. Podimattam, which may be acclaimed The Making of a Masterpiece The latest contribution of Dr. Podimattam, which may be acclaimed as his masterpiece, is: The Ten Commandments in the Law of Christ, a 20 volume work on the Decalogue. His vast knowledge on the subject gained through painstaking research, his teaching experience in various theological institutes stretching out over four decades and frank discussions with eminent thinkers have gone into this work. These books provide us with a re-interpretation of the commandments keeping in mind the genuine concerns of the people of God and at the same time remaining absolutely loyal to the teaching of Christ - "Christ did not come to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfil them". CONTENTS 1.RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD 1.1. What is Responsible Parenthood? 1.2. Responsible Parenthood - But How? 1.2.1. No Population Policy in Isolation 1.2.2. The Limitations of Natural Family Planning (NFP) 1.2.3. Morality of Artificial Means of Birth Control 1.2.3.1. Teaching of the popes 1.2.3.2. Papal teaching needs interpretation 1.2.3.3. Interpretation of Bishops 1.2.3.4. Interpretation of theologians 1.2.3.5. Interpretation of the people of god 1.3. Theological Basis of the Above Interpretation 1.3.1. Support from the Manuals 1.3.2. Not Every Marital Act but the Whole Married Sexual Life Should be Open to Life 1.3.3. Contraception and the Principle of Totality 1.3.4. Contraception and Tension Morality. 1.3.5. Contraception as Physical Evil 1.3.6. Contraception as Lesser Evil 1.3.7. Argument from Proportionalism 1.3.8. Contraceptives from the Viewpoint of Objective Morality 1.3.9. Contraception from the Viewpoint of the "Mind of the Law Giver" 1.3.10. Procreation and th&jPerson 1.3.11. Procreation Means Generation and Education 1.3.12. Being \rrific: is Natural to Man 1.3.13. Not ag. Natural Law 1.3.14. Experience 1.3.15. The Teaching i i Other C'arches 1.3.16. Support front the Pa>pal Commission on Birth Control 1.3.17. Flexibility in Contraception K duces the Number of Abortions 1.3.18. Value Change in the< Human Act of Artificial Birth Control 1.3.18.1. The Chiir'-'-' ownlnrrir..Uc sex and marriage has ch.,;it,ed and r; changing 1.3.18.2. Value change in the human act of artificial birth control 1.3.18.3. Parallel Case of Usury. 2. SEX DEVIATIONS 2.1. True Sex Deviations 2.1.1. Nature of Sex Deviation 2.1.2. Types of Sex Deviation 2.1.2.1. Sadism 2.1.2.2. Masochism 2.1.2.3. Fetishism 2.1.2.4. Transvestism 2.1.2.5. Exhibitionism 2.1.2.6. Voyeurism 2.1.2.7. Pedophilia 2.1.2.8. Necrophilia 2.1.2.9. Bestiality 2.1.2.10. Narcissism 2.1.2.11. Transsexualism 2.1.2.12. Nymphomania and Satyriasis 2.1.2.13. Other deviations 2.1.3. Moral Considerations 2.1.3.1. Critique of traditional approach 2.1.3.2. For a Newer Approach 2.1.4. Pastoral Reflections 2.2. False Sexual Deviations 2.2.1. Nudity 2.2.1.1. Theology of the human body 2.2.1.2. Nudity and scripture. 2.2.1.3. Nudity and history 2.2.1.4. Nudity as experienced by nudists., 2.2.1.5. Nudity can be modest 2.2.1.6. Nudity as a Possible Tonic of Life 2.2.1.6.1. Nudity and Physical Hygiene 2.2.1.6.2. Nudity and Mental Hygiene. 2.2.1.6.3. Nudity and Spiritual Hygiene. 2.2.2. Oral Sex 2.2.2.1. Philosophy of Oral Sex 2.2.2.2. Morality of oral sex 3.PROSTITUTION. 3.1. Nature of Prostitution 3.2. Moral Dimensions of Prostitution 3.2.1. Objective Morality of Prostitution 3.2.1.2. Sexual intercourse as a "life-uniting act". 3.2.1.3. Sexual intercourse and fidelity as inseparable 3.2.1.4. Sexual intercourse as pointing to permanency 3.2.1.5. The wrongness of viewing sex as a mere instinct 3.2.1.6. The Unfairness of presenting sex as a mere economic item 4.2.7. Pornography Breaks Down the Feelings of Shame 4.2.8. Pornography Encourages "The Pure Libidinal Principle" 4.2.9. Pornography Harms Marriage. 4.2.10. Pornography is Great Deception. 4.3. Education is the Best Means of Combating Pornography 5. RAPE 5.1. Nature of Rape 5.2. Psychological Aspects of Rape 5.2.1. Psychology of Rapists 5.2.1.1. Rapists tend to be young. 5.2.1.2. Rapists are not oversexe men. 5.2.1.3. Rapists are rarely sadistic 5.2.1.4. Many sentenced rapists are not criminal types. 5.2.1.5. Rapists frequently believe women enjoy sado-masochistic sex 5.2.1.6. Rapists believe they exercise male power over women 5.2.2. Psychology of Rape-Victims. 5.3. Moral Aspects of Rape. 5.3.1. Objective Morality of Rape. 5.4. Helping Rape-Victims. BIBLIOGRAPHY.