Contraception
Huang, Kevin
HRT3MI-07
Coates, V
2013/04/24
Contraception
Part One: Introduction
If a couple want to use contraception because of some reason that they do not want children at this moment, will that be allowed? If they have religions, what is the point of view through different religious perspective?
Apparently, this issue is complicated and tough due to its relation to morality. Contraception, also known as birth control and fertility control, refers to methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy from occurring in a sexually active woman (Medicine Net).
The use of contraception do bring some benefits. According to statistics, increasing contraceptive use in developing countries has cut the number of maternal deaths by 40% over the past 20 years, merely by reducing the number of unintended pregnancies (The Lancet).
However, the abuse of contraception may bring lots of problems. Annual abortion rates (per 1000 women aged 15–44) are 5.6 in the Netherlands, 13 in Britain and 28 in the USA. In Britain about 50% of all conceptions are unplanned. Ambivalent attitudes to sex mean that there is inadequate public discussion about contraception (British Medical Bulletin). This may cause a contraceptive culture, resulting in disrespect to chastity, sexuality and new born life. It is of importance to understand what contraception is and how it is viewed by different perspectives.
Part Two: Discussion of Research
The views over contraception are similar among teachings of the Catholic Church, Jewish teachings and Islamic teachings. All of Catholicism, Judaism and Islam are in position that contraception is permitted under certain appropriate circumstances.
In Catholic teaching, two parts of the Bible are often quoted to show God's disapproval of birth control. First, God commanded his people to "Be fruitful and multiply," and contraception is seen as specifically flouting this instruction (Genesis 9:1). Second, Onan was killed by God for "spilling his seed,"
HRT3MI-07
Coates, V
2013/04/24
Contraception
Part One: Introduction
If a couple want to use contraception because of some reason that they do not want children at this moment, will that be allowed? If they have religions, what is the point of view through different religious perspective?
Apparently, this issue is complicated and tough due to its relation to morality. Contraception, also known as birth control and fertility control, refers to methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy from occurring in a sexually active woman (Medicine Net).
The use of contraception do bring some benefits. According to statistics, increasing contraceptive use in developing countries has cut the number of maternal deaths by 40% over the past 20 years, merely by reducing the number of unintended pregnancies (The Lancet).
However, the abuse of contraception may bring lots of problems. Annual abortion rates (per 1000 women aged 15–44) are 5.6 in the Netherlands, 13 in Britain and 28 in the USA. In Britain about 50% of all conceptions are unplanned. Ambivalent attitudes to sex mean that there is inadequate public discussion about contraception (British Medical Bulletin). This may cause a contraceptive culture, resulting in disrespect to chastity, sexuality and new born life. It is of importance to understand what contraception is and how it is viewed by different perspectives.
Part Two: Discussion of Research
The views over contraception are similar among teachings of the Catholic Church, Jewish teachings and Islamic teachings. All of Catholicism, Judaism and Islam are in position that contraception is permitted under certain appropriate circumstances.
In Catholic teaching, two parts of the Bible are often quoted to show God's disapproval of birth control. First, God commanded his people to "Be fruitful and multiply," and contraception is seen as specifically flouting this instruction (Genesis 9:1). Second, Onan was killed by God for "spilling his seed,"