Contraception |
In the past, couples had little control over how many children were born, or when. Little could be done if the mother’s health or family finances were affected. Today, contraception means people can decide how many children they want, and when. Contraception can cause disagreement amongst Christians.
“Artificial” contraception is wrong – pill, condoms, IUD (coil), diaphragm (cap) etc. Catholics cannot use birth control that relies on more than the female body’s natural menstrual cycle. Natural contraception is OK, e.g. sex when the woman is at her least fertile in a month. Natural methods of contraception always allow the chance of conception, if this is what God plans.
RC Church believes God designed sex God for a purpose: for married men and women, and for reproduction. Roman Catholics believe this is a “natural law”. Sex is spoiled if it is not an expression of love between married people, or if there is no chance of children being conceived.
RC Church is strongly against “contraception” which kills a fertilised egg, e.g. morning-after pill, because this destroys a human life and is the same as abortion (which they see as murder).
In 1968, Pope John Paul VI issued Humanae Vitae – “On Human Life”. He felt Catholics needed guidance on contraception. Humanae Vitae stressed the importance of traditional teaching about limiting family size using only natural methods.
“Every marriage act (sex) must remain open to the transmission of life”
“Man growing used to the employment of contraceptive practices may finally lose respect for the woman and……come to the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment, and no longer as his respected and beloved companion.”
Using contraception may make people more promiscuous, preferring sex to love, seeing others as sex objects and not for who they are.
Although the RC Church teaches against artificial contraception, many Roman Catholics do not follow this. Many use contraception because they think it is unrealistic not to. RC Church has been criticised by 3rd World Aid organisations who say that contraception has to be available to control the population explosion.
Other Churches disagree with the RC Church. It is the couple’s responsibility to decide whether to have children, how many, and when. They teach contraception is sensible and should be encouraged, because children are more likely to be loved and cared for if their parents want them and can afford to bring them up well.
“ This planning of the family should be agreed by husband and wife, and should be the result of a positive choice before God.”
“Contraception can be intelligent control over the number of children born, so that they are bringing his within the strength of the mother and the finances of the father”
“…it safeguards the well-being of family and society.”