ContraceptionChristianity & Sikhism

In Christian thought..

• Contraception was seen as morally bad because it has the same affect as abortion.

• However, today many Christians no longer regard contraception as morally wrong, many regard it as the most moral thing to do in certain situations.

The Orthodox Church..

• Until the 1970’s the Eastern Orthodox Church was against contraception, but now holds that contraception is acceptable within a Christian marriage if the method is not a drug or device that includes abortions (abortifacient).

The Roman Catholic..

• The Roman Catholic Church only allows “natural” birth control, which means that only having sex during the infertile period of a woman’s monthly cycle. Artificial methods of contraception are banned.

The Church Of England..

The Church and Contraception..

• The church forbids sex outside marriage.• The church teaches using artificial

contraception is wrong because;- It is against “natural law”- It reduces male respect for women- It gives humans the power to decide when a

new life should begin, that power belongs to God.

The Bible..

• Two parts of the bible may show God’s disapproval of birth control;

• Firstly, God commanded his people to “Be fruitful and multiply” this demonstrates that contraception has prevented human beings from being fruitful and multiplying.

• Secondly, Onan was killed by God for “Spilling his seed” which may suggest that God was angry with Onan for having sex for a purpose other than having children.

Virtue Ethics..

• No clear cut answer• Rosalind Hursthouse – Argued that

contraception leads to causal sex, immoral.• Michael Slote – Emphasises the caring nature of

a virtuous person. He defines 3 types of care;- Care for yourself- Care for family and friends - Care for humanity

• All 3 types of care emphasise the need to use contraceptives. • If you care for yourself , you will not wish to die or be sick

through STI’s.• If you care for your family and friends, you would wish to

reproduce only those who are going to be wanted and brought up in a loving and caring environment.

• If you care for humanity, you will take into account the growth of the world’s population and the damage done to the environment.

• The approach depends on the virtuous nature of the individual, each case and each situation becomes unique. E.g. it would be morally virtuous for a person not to wish to infect his/her partner with HIV/AIDS.

Sikhism..

• Sikhs have no objection to birth control.• Whether or not Sikhs use contraception, and

the form of contraception used is a matter for the couple concerned.