Contraception

• Humanae Vitae


  'Every sex act must remain open to the transmission of life'
• Catholic Church's teaching on contraception


  • The purpose of sex is procreation
  • Artificial contraception is 'intrinsically evil'
  • Contraception is always wrong
• Genesis 1: ''Be fruitful and multiply''
• Divine command from God in Genesis 1


  Suggests the purpose of sex is procreation
• Contraception prevents procreation


  • Makes sex about pleasure rather than procreation
  • Could lead to other sexual sins ('slippery slope')
• Lambeth Conference, Church of England


  Contraception is acceptable 'provided it is used in the light of Christian principles'
• Situation Ethics


  'The morality of an action is dependent on the circumstances'
• Using contraception


  • Can be the most loving thing to do in order to prevent STIs or to help with family planning
  • In these situations, it is a responsible thing to do
• Surah 17: 'Do not kill your child for fear of poverty...we will provide for them and for you'
• Although not explicitly forbidden in the Qur'an, some methods of contraception could be seen as wrong
• Must never have sex outside of marriage, so must never use contraception outside of marriage
• Availability of contraception


  Could potentially encourage sexual immorality
• Contraception must only be used within marriage
• Surah 4: 'God wishes to lighten your burdens'
• Positive attitudes to contraception


  • Contraception can be used within marriage for the purpose of family planning
  • Contraception can be used for health reasons