THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Monday, November 11, 1996             TAG: 9611090015
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A10  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   29 lines

FAMILY: IT'S A MATTER OF CHOICE

I feel I must respond to Lilian M. Rogers' Oct. 29 letter, ``Family planning is best.'' I wonder where Ms. Rogers obtained the statistic that a 500 percent increase in the divorce rate has resulted from a ``license to indulge in promiscuity and adultery'' since contraception became widely available.

Did the inception of the no-fault divorce or the fact that less stigma is attached to divorced men and women these days have anything to do with an increase? I cannot believe that contraception and the relaxing of attitudes are the only variables affecting the divorce rate. Contraceptives themselves are not ``licenses'' to commit various acts, but effective means for individuals to control their own fertility.

Natural Family Planning sounds like an excellent choice for a couple following the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. What are the alternatives for billions of other couples in the world who choose to practice another religion or no religion at all? What are the alternatives for Roman Catholics or Christians who do not believe the use of contraceptives is a sin?

Everyone should have the freedom to make informed decisions about their lives, and a diverse set of options from which to choose.

DONELLEN S. SCHLOSSER

Norfolk, Oct. 30, 1996 by CNB