Contraception

Contraception Prevents a Woman Becoming Pregnant

  1. Contraception is also known as birth control and is used to stop a woman conceiving. It can be temporary or permanent.

  2. Most atheists and humanists have no objection to contraception. They think it’s better if people only have children if they really want them. Contraception allows people to choose when to have sex, by limiting the risk of pregnancy. Some types also reduce the risk of STIs.

  3. Some Christians and Jews object to forms of contraception that might destroy a fertilised egg, such as the morning after pill - this is because they see it as being the same as abortion.

  4. Many religious people don’t believe in sterilisation, which prevents people from having children

The Roman Catholic Church is Against Artificial Contraception

  1. The Catholic Church says anything “deliberately contraceptive” is “intrinsically wrong” (Humanae Vitae 14). Married couples should “transmit human life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

  2. Many individual Roman Catholics disagree with this stance, especially because of concerns about STIs

  3. The Church says contraception may lead to promiscuity and sees some methods as abortion. It does allow natuaral contraception - only having sex at the less fertile times in a women’s menstrual cycle.

  4. Other Christian Churches have different views. The Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches are in favour of contraception, suggesting that it lets parents plan their family in a responsible way.

  5. Many Christians believe that contraception should be a question of individual conscience. They see it as positive that women can control when they get pregnant.

  6. There are contrasting views within Christianity. Orthodox and Roman Catholics teach artificial contraception within marriage is wrong- against natural law and purpose of marriage; might encourage infidelity. Every sexual act should have the possibility of creating new life (Humanae Vitae, 1968). Other Christians accept its use in family planning for health, financial and other personal reasons. The Church of England approved the use of artificial contraception at the Lambeth Conference in 1930: 'The Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles.'

Orthodox and Reformed Jews tend to have Differing Views

  1. Judaism traditionally teaches that a child is a gift from God, and contraception interferes with God’s plans to bless couples with children.

  2. Most Orthodox Jews only accept contraception for compassionate reasons, e.g. if pregnancy could be physically or psychologically harmful to the mother or an existing child.

  3. Some find contraception within marriage acceptable if the couple do plan to have children later on

  4. Reformed Jews find contraception more acceptable and leave the decision to each individual.

  5. Sex should be as natural as possible so hormonal contraceptives like the pill are generally preferred to barrier methods like condoms. But some agree with barrier methods as a means of preventing STIs.

    • “A man shall not abstain from [propagating] the race unless he already has children.” (Talmud Yevamot 61b)

    • A large family is a blessing from God, fulfilling God's command to 'be fruitful and increase in number' (Genesis 1:28). Orthodox Jews only allow the use of artificial contraception within marriage if the mother's health is at risk, and not for social or economic reasons. The pill is preferred as it does not destroy semen or interfere with the sexual act.

      Reform and Progressive Jews accept the use of artificial contraception for reasons of the mother's mental or physical health or the welfare of the rest of the family.