Is artificial birth control a sin?

‘Responsible breeding or rabbit breeding’

Classic church doctrine since the time of Saint Augustine and before has condemned contraceptive practices as sinful.  Is contraception really a sin, and if not, what types of birth control are acceptable for the Christian?  This debate has taken on even greater significance with the recent controversy surrounding the Roman Catholic denunciation of contraceptives in poverty-stricken Africa and Philippine, which some fear contributes to overpopulation, sexually transmitted disease, and perennially poor families. 

By far the most common Biblical story used to support the anti-contraceptive mantra is the account of Onan in the book of Genesis.  According to the account: Then Judah said to Onan, “Lie with your brother’s wife and fulfil your duty to her as a brother-in-law to produce offspring for your dead brother.” But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing an offspring for his brother.  What he did was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so he put him to death also.” [Genesis 38:1-10]. 

Does this verse really demonstrate that contraceptives are wrong and sinful?  It seems to me Onan’s sin was deliberately refusing to birth a son for his dead brother and his brother’s wife.  It is important to realize the cultural context in which this story took place.  This story may seem strange to us in modern society, we would be shocked at the idea that we should have sex with our brother’s wife if she was without a child.  But in ancient times, maintaining a family line was essential for survival; children took care of their parents in old age.  It is quite clear to me that Onan’s sin was refusing to birth a son for his deceased brother.  It remains possible that contraceptive practices are sinful, but the story of Onan certainly doesn’t prove it. 

The act that Jewish law required Onan to perform would nowadays be regarded as rape, since the widow's consent was not required and this makes the story a very flimsy foundation for moral argument on birth control.

Some will argue that the command to ‘be fruitful and multiply’ found in Genesis 1:28 argues against the use of contraceptives.  However, at best I believe these scriptures demonstrate that we have an obligation to have children; it does not prove that we should have as many kids as possible or that we should never use contraceptives.  This verse proves nothing regarding the use of contraceptives to me.  I remain skeptical that the Bible clearly states contraceptive are wrong and I definitely am skeptical that using contraceptives are a sin. 

Some people say that contraceptive use means a couple does not believe children are blessing from God.  Not so!  Some parents decide to use birth control to stop from having more kids for the time being due to a financial situation or some other factors.  I believe the parents that make decisions like this are being responsible and wanting to protect the children they have.  Wanting to protect the children they have tells me they are inclined to believe their children are a blessing. 

One of the most common arguments against birth control is that the Church has almost unanimously condemned it throughout history.  However, this point is only valid for Catholics who believe that church tradition is authoritative.  Without such a prior commitment to church tradition, the opposition to contraceptives is not valid.

There are claims that birth control is bad for society.  They will say, it increases abortion frequency, encourages premarital sex, leads to the spread of STDs, etc.  I believe the effect of using contraceptives would do just the opposite.   I believe birth control is acceptable if it does not involve abortion. The fact that contraceptives have been misused does not prove that contraceptives are wrong.

Many claim that we should not use birth control because we should let God decide when and how many children we should have.  Sounds good for a Christians to say, but look around you and you and you will see that does not work.  Maybe God is looking down from Heaven and saying I gave them a brain and instead of using it they breed like rabbits, let them suffer the consequences.  Some actually believe God will provide for their financial and emotional needs even when they do not act responsibly.  Responsible people do not  wait around at home believing that God will provide them with the amount of food they need- they go to work, get a pay check, and buy enough food to survive.   God gives us the ability to make responsible choices for ourselves. 

I fine no evidence in the Bible that gives direct support for birth control.  I find no support in the Bible that states sexual pleasure and reproduction should be separated.  I believe God intended sex to be enjoyed.   I do find that the Bible supports some acts of sex as being wrong. 

The Bible never explicitly approves of contraception.  However, there are a number of passages where the Bible appears to accept that sex should be enjoyed for other reasons than the production of children, and some people argue that this implies that no wrong is done if a married couple has sex with the intention of not having children.

“The husband should fulfil his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.  The wife’s body does not belong to her alone, but also to her husband.  In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone, but also to his wife.  Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer,” [1 Corinthians 7:3-5].

This verse clearly demonstrates that the purpose of marriage is not only for procreation.  Paul tells us that we should not withhold sex from our spouses.  It is not merely ok to have sex within marriage for pleasure, it is actually mandatory.

The Song of Solomon argues against the idea that procreation is the only purpose of sex.  I don’t think one could read the book and conclude that God only gave us the gift of sex so that we can produce children. 

There is another major problem with claiming that it is sinful to separate procreation from marital sex- what about couples who are infertile, either by old age or physical limitations?  Is it wrong for people who are infertile to have sex?  Is it wrong for old people to have sex?  Almost everyone would admit that there is nothing morally wrong with infertile sex; in fact, most would think it morally repulsive to claim that such people should never have sex.  This would also conflict with Paul’s teaching about fulfilling marital duties.

Sometimes there are very good moral reasons for using birth control.  A couple may want to limit the number of children they have because they can’t support more, either for financial reasons or because they want to be able to spend enough individual time with each child they already have . Doing otherwise could harm the family.  For those couples who can’t support more children, contraceptive use may be morally justified and even morally good.

I believe that abortion takes the life of an innocent human being, any birth control methods which involves abortion of any kind is immoral.  Yet, there are several responsible forms of birth control that can be reasonably used. Couples should feel free to decide for themselves whether, and when, use of contraceptives is appropriate and desirable. 

Christian ideas about contraception come from church teachings rather than scripture, the Bible has little to say about the subject.  Their teachings on birth control are often based on different Christian interpretations, traditions and culture regarding the meaning of marriage, sex and the family.  

Christian acceptance of contraception is relatively new; all churches disapproved of artificial contraception until the start of the 20th century.  I think it is wrong for us Catholics to say the denominations that adopted and approved contraception or definitely wrong – maybe they found the error in the teaching and allowed the Holy Spirit to enlighten them. 

The Roman Catholic Church allows only ‘natural birth control’, which means only having sex during the infertile period of a woman's monthly cycle. Artificial methods of contraception are banned.  When Catholics practice natural birth control are their goals not the same as those who practice artificial birth control?   They all wish to control the birth of a child.  

Many Catholics have decided to disobey church teaching on birth control creating a breach between laity and the Church establishment.  I cannot help but thing birth control often leads to stronger families and better marriages, churches should let believers decide birth control on their own.  Married couples know best what they can and cannot afford and it is a known fact finances is the biggest cause of divorce. 

The Catholic Church teaches that using artificial contraception is wrong because:

•it is against 'natural law'

•it breaks the natural connection between the procreative and the purposes of sex

•it turns sex into a non-marital act

•it gives human beings the power to decide when a new life should begin and that power belongs only to God

•it leads to widespread immorality

•it damages the institution of marriage

•it reduces male respect for women

•it gives human beings the idea that they can have complete power over the body

•it allows the implementation of eugenic programs

The Catholic Church also says the Church does not condemn things like the pill or condoms in themselves.  What is morally wrong is using such things with the intention of preventing conception.  Using them for other purposes is fine - for example, using the pill to regulate the periods of a woman who is not in a sexual relationship is not wrong.  It is not the product used that is wrong it is the purpose for the product being used.  Makes sense I guess.

I believe the real problem for the Catholic Church is the leaders cannot accept that the physical expression of love between husband and wife in sexual intercourse can be separated from the reproductive act.  The Catholic Church says nothing evil can be done even if in the end good comes from it – I would agree with that.  I just do not see the evil in using artificial contraception if it is in no way connected to abortion.

I Timothy 5:8 tells us that parents must provide for their children.  This includes properly caring for and supporting their children until they reach maturity.  Couples should not have children unless and until they are able to do this.  If they are unable to properly care for them, they should consider some form of controlling pregnancies.  I do not think God prefers homeless hungry children over artificial birth control. 

The issue of birth control is now becoming an issue in Islam.  One Muslim doctor that I know of is working to dispel the myths that fuel the resistance to family planning.  For over ten years he has been presenting evidence to persuade clerics that Islam supports family planning methods, contrary to the views of many clerics. 

Some of the clerics, especially in northern Nigeria use the same arguments that the Catholic leadership uses to denounce artificial birth control.