Christianity Chapter 2 : Marriage and The Family - 2.5 Contraception Flashcards
What is family planning?
Family planning means choosing when to have children, by using contraception (artificial or natural methods) to regulate births.
Why are some christian against the use of contraception?
They believe that artificial contraception is a sinful act since it prevents humans from fulfilling God’s command to ‘Be fruitful and increase in number’ (Genesis 1:28).
What is a Biblical teaching Christians may refer to that opposes the use of contraception?
‘offspring are a reward from’ god and people who have lots of children are ‘blessed’ (psalm 127)
What method of birth control Christians who are against the usage of contraception believe is permitted to use?
Why might other Christians be against this?
Christians who adopt this view believe that every act of sexual intercourse should be open to the possibility of conception and people should only use a natural method of birth control such as the rhythm method (planning sex around the times of a woman’s menstrual cycle when she is least likely to conceive)
Some conservative Christians will not even agree with this approach and argue that a couple should never deliberately avoid the possibility of pregnancy
what do Catholic Churches refer to that confirms that traditional teaching that it is wrong to use artificial contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence.
Catholics churches refer to the important encyclical letter Humanae Vitae (Latin for ‘human life’) issued by Pope Paul VI in 1968 which confirmed the Church’s traditional teaching that it is wrong to use artificial contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence.
Official Catholic teaching is that use of artificial contraception is a grave sin and that it should never be considered.
This is out of respect for God as the ultimate source of life:
…to experience the gift of married love while respecting the laws of conception is to acknowledge that one is not the master of the sources of life but rather the minister of the design established by the Creator. (Humanae Vitae, II.13)
What are the different methods of contraception, how they work and Christian views
- Cap or Condom used with spermicides:
- Act as a barrier to prevent conception
- Strictest would reject, but others accept as it acts before conception takes place - The contraceptive pill, injection or patch
- A chemical barrier to prevent conception
- Strictest would reject, but others accept as it acts before conception takes place - IUD or coil
- Prevents a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb
- Some Christians may reject as conception has already taken place - Morning-after pill
- A chemical method to prevent a fertilised egg from implanting
- Most Christians may reject as conception has already taken place, but also because it may encourage irresponsible sexual behaviour since it does not require any consideration before having sex - Sterilisation or vasectomy
- A surgical procedure making it impossible to conceive
- Strictest would reject; some may accept on health grounds, or if a couple decide not to have any more children
What are non-religious attitudes to family planning?
Humanists believe that people should think for themselves and make decisions based on what makes them happy, not on what religious teachings say. Most Humanists have no ethical objections to birth control, arguing that if contraception ‘results in every child being a wanted child, and in better, healthier lives for women, it must be a good thing’ (British Humanist Association). Most Humanists assess the rights and wrongs of contraception by looking at the consequences of birth control and say that if contraception leads to good results it is ethically right to use it.
What are situation ethics?
ethical decisions made according to the specific context of the decision - Situation ethics says that the only rule that should be followed is: in any situation do the most loving action.
How may situation ethicists contrast with a Christian on making a choice to do with contraception?
In the case of artificial contraception, a situation ethicist would ask the question: ‘Is it the most loving thing to do for everyone involved?’ A situation ethicist might therefore make different choices depending on the situation.
In contrast to this, most Christians make decisions based on the Bible, the teachings of the Church, and their own conscience. Whilst many Christians would respond to situations (as in, for example, the use of artificial contraception) with a degree of flexibility, others, for example Catholic Christians, would apply one rule to all situations.
