Topic 31 Contraception

Question 1

what is contraception?

Answer 1

• deliberate prevention of pregnancy by natural or artificial means

Question 2

outline natural forms of contraception

Answer 2

• abstinence
• withdrawal method
• rhythm -> only having sex when least fertile, record signals that indicate you are in fertile window to identify when it is safe to have sex, doesn’t protect against sti’s

Question 3

outline artificial forms of contraception

Answer 3

• condom, physical barrier that prevents sperm from entering vagina
• contraceptive pill -> alters hormonal balance in body, 99% safe if used properly
• contraceptive coil -> stops eggs implanting -> small coil/ wire with piece of copper attached

Question 4

outline non religious responses to contraception

Answer 4

• some people may be for contraception because it enables people to have a sexual relationship without fear of unwanted pregnancy, and allows couple to select appropriate time for having children eg if woman does not want to interrupt her career
• prevents STIs, and on global scale enables world population to be controlled which protects environment and reduces poverty
• some people may be against contraception because artificial forms eg pill carry health risks, and there is lack of research into the long term consequences of some hormonal medication
• extended use has lead to greater promiscuity in society, devaluing sexual relationships as people feel more inclined to have sex due to the protection from unwanted pregnancies etc. that were once greater risks in past

Question 5

Explain different responses within Christianity to contraception

Answer 5

1. RCC -> only support natural forms of birth control, for example abstinence, and the rhythm method -> this view stems from natural law, high source of authority, which states that sex is for procreation and so artificial contraception violates this idea, reinforced by pope in 1984: ‘only natural forms of birth control do not offend the moral order established by God’, also echoed in encylical humanae vitae by pope paul VI, where artificial contraception is condemned as it restricts the body from a natural action, created by designer god
   -> rise in artificial contraception has led to social evils eg promiscuity and STIs, as people feel more free to engage with multiple partners due to apparent lack of consequences
2. CofE -> allows couples to enjoy unitive function of sex without being anxious about conceiving a child, as well as enabling them to have fewer children and thus spend more time and energy with children they do have. not based on any specific passages from bible, instead cofe appreaicates crucial role contraception plays in today’s society and so has moved with times in accepting and supporting it -> can reduce potential abortions which some members of Cofe velieve interferes with sanctity of life -> contraception means that there is no conception from which a being is destroyed

3.. Quakers -> positive stance on equality between sexes means they believe that responsibility when it comes to contraception should be shared between both man and woman, thus promote message of safe sex and encourage use of contraception for both parties to prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancies -> if using contraception aligns with conscience then it should be supported