Christian views on birth control: Difference between revisions
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Prior to the 20th century, contraception was generally condemned by all the major branches of Christianity, including by major reformers like [[Martin Luther|Luther]] and [[John Calvin|Calvin]]. This unified front no longer exists, however. Amoung Christian denominations today there is a large variety of positions towards contraception. |
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Like pre-1930s Protestantism, the [[Catholic Church]] has been morally opposed to contraception and orgasmic acts outside of the context of fully natural marital intercourse as far back as one can historically trace. For instance, the 2nd century Epistle of Barnabas takes it for granted that oral sex is immoral. |
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Many Christians, particularly the [[Roman Catholic church]] object to [[contraception]]. Some evangelical Christians agree with this position. |
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The official position of the Catholic Church regarding [[birth control]] is expressed very clearly in [[Pope Pius XI]]'s 1930 encyclical entitled [[Casti Connubii]]. It was written in response to the Anglican (then-recent) approval of artificial means of contraception when used in cases of grave necessity. |
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This morality is based on an interpretation of the following Biblical passage: |
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:''Since, therefore, openly departing from the uninterrupted Christian tradition some recently have judged it possible solemnly to declare another doctrine regarding this question, the Catholic Church, ... in order that she may preserve the chastity of the nuptial union from being defiled by this foul stain, ... proclaims anew: any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin.'' |
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In 1968 [[Pope Paul VI]] released an encyclical titled [[Humanae Vitae]], which again forbade chemical and barrier methods but suggested natural methods such as the rhythm method or [[natural family planning]] might be considered in cases of necessity, a suggestion some see implicit in Casti Connubii as well. These methods are known as "periodic abstinence" and are argued to be morally different from positively modifying the couple's fertility, since the modus operandi is abstinence, albeit not all the time. |
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:''"The Church, nevertheless, in urging men to the observance of the precepts of the natural law, which it interprets by its constant doctrine, teaches that each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life."'' — Pope Paul VI, ''Humanae Vitae'' (1968) [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html] |
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''"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.""'' |
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Genesis 1:27-28 |
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Couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church are in most dioceses required to undergo counseling by a Catholic priest. In the past priests led couples seeking to delay children to rhythm, today they are instructed to point new couples toward the more effective methods of natural family planning. |
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== Protestant Christianity == |
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The condemnation of contraception was first relaxed by the [[Anglican Communion]] at the 1930 Lambeth Conference, and most Protestant groups followed suit over the course of the 20th century. |
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:''"The Church of England does not regard contraception as a sin or a contravention of God's purpose."'' — [[Church of England]], ''Science, Medicine, Technology and the Environment'' (2005) [http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/smte.html#contraception] |
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:''"Sex is a powerful drive, and for most of human history it was firmly linked to marriage and childbearing. Only relatively recently has the act of sex commonly been divorced from marriage and procreation. Modern contraceptive inventions have given many an exaggerated sense of safety and prompted more people than ever before to move sexual expression outside the marriage boundary."'' — [[Focus on the Family]], ''Abstinence Policy'' (2005) [http://www.family.org/cforum/fosi/abstinence/] |
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The [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] has a stated position of: |
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:''When [having children] is not their intention, the responsible use of safe, effective contraceptives is expected of the male and the female. Respect and sensitivity should also be shown toward couples who do not feel called to conceive and/or rear children, or who are unable to do so.'' |
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This is a fairly overt acceptance of modern contraceptives. The other major Lutheran and [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] associations, as well as other [[Protestant]] groups in general, may take other positions. |
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== Quiverfull == |
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Since the 1980s, a Protestant, evangelical movement known as Quiverfull has arisen. They believe that all forms of family planning are immoral. The movement is also sometimes known as 'providentialism'. Members sometimes cite the passages in Genesis (1:27-28 and 9:7) that say to "be fruitful and multiply". But the name of the movement comes from Psalm 127:3-5 |
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:''Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them...'' |
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By many, this is considered proof that God commanded man to procreate. |
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== History == |
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There had been a long-standing general Christian prohibition on contraception and abortion, with such church fathers as [[Clement of Alexandria]] and [[Augustine of Hippo|Saint Augustine]] condemning the practices. At the [[1930]] [[Lambeth Conference]], the [[Anglican Communion]] changed its position by allowing for contraception in limited circumstances. Every other large [[Protestant]] denomination has since modified its view on contraception to one of approval. |
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The [[Roman Catholic church]] is the only major Christian church that still holds to the historical Christian teaching banning artificial contraception. The [[papal encyclical]] ''[[Humanae Vitae]]'' (On Human Life), by [[Pope Paul VI]], solidified the teachings of the church, saying that contraception removes the last barrier to pre-marital sex. |
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Revision as of 14:02, 11 February 2006
Prior to the 20th century, contraception was generally condemned by all the major branches of Christianity, including by major reformers like Luther and Calvin. This unified front no longer exists, however. Amoung Christian denominations today there is a large variety of positions towards contraception.
Roman Catholic Church
Like pre-1930s Protestantism, the Catholic Church has been morally opposed to contraception and orgasmic acts outside of the context of fully natural marital intercourse as far back as one can historically trace. For instance, the 2nd century Epistle of Barnabas takes it for granted that oral sex is immoral.
The official position of the Catholic Church regarding birth control is expressed very clearly in Pope Pius XI's 1930 encyclical entitled Casti Connubii. It was written in response to the Anglican (then-recent) approval of artificial means of contraception when used in cases of grave necessity.
- Since, therefore, openly departing from the uninterrupted Christian tradition some recently have judged it possible solemnly to declare another doctrine regarding this question, the Catholic Church, ... in order that she may preserve the chastity of the nuptial union from being defiled by this foul stain, ... proclaims anew: any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin.
In 1968 Pope Paul VI released an encyclical titled Humanae Vitae, which again forbade chemical and barrier methods but suggested natural methods such as the rhythm method or natural family planning might be considered in cases of necessity, a suggestion some see implicit in Casti Connubii as well. These methods are known as "periodic abstinence" and are argued to be morally different from positively modifying the couple's fertility, since the modus operandi is abstinence, albeit not all the time.
- "The Church, nevertheless, in urging men to the observance of the precepts of the natural law, which it interprets by its constant doctrine, teaches that each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life." — Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae (1968) [1]
Couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church are in most dioceses required to undergo counseling by a Catholic priest. In the past priests led couples seeking to delay children to rhythm, today they are instructed to point new couples toward the more effective methods of natural family planning.
Protestant Christianity
The condemnation of contraception was first relaxed by the Anglican Communion at the 1930 Lambeth Conference, and most Protestant groups followed suit over the course of the 20th century.
- "The Church of England does not regard contraception as a sin or a contravention of God's purpose." — Church of England, Science, Medicine, Technology and the Environment (2005) [2]
- "Sex is a powerful drive, and for most of human history it was firmly linked to marriage and childbearing. Only relatively recently has the act of sex commonly been divorced from marriage and procreation. Modern contraceptive inventions have given many an exaggerated sense of safety and prompted more people than ever before to move sexual expression outside the marriage boundary." — Focus on the Family, Abstinence Policy (2005) [3]
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a stated position of:
- When [having children] is not their intention, the responsible use of safe, effective contraceptives is expected of the male and the female. Respect and sensitivity should also be shown toward couples who do not feel called to conceive and/or rear children, or who are unable to do so.
This is a fairly overt acceptance of modern contraceptives. The other major Lutheran and Presbyterian associations, as well as other Protestant groups in general, may take other positions.
Quiverfull
Since the 1980s, a Protestant, evangelical movement known as Quiverfull has arisen. They believe that all forms of family planning are immoral. The movement is also sometimes known as 'providentialism'. Members sometimes cite the passages in Genesis (1:27-28 and 9:7) that say to "be fruitful and multiply". But the name of the movement comes from Psalm 127:3-5
- Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them...