Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning PubHealthInfo

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PubHealth.info® (a subsidiary of PakMed) presents scientific information mainly based on abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health issues/topics, particularly encompassing population planning, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and communicable and non-communicable diseases (like HIV AIDS, malaria, etc) that are affecting a significant portion of population in developing and developed countries. Here you can find abstracts of articles published on a variety of public health topics under category "Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning". Contraception (birth control) is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant or giving birth. Therefore contraception is the utilization of various and sundry surgical procedures, devices, practices, agents, or drugs with the intention of preventing conception or impregnation (pregnancy). Methods and intentions typically termed birth control may be considered a pivotal ingredient to family planning. Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions, and although it is generally less controversial than abortion specifically.

YEAR: 1974

CATEGORY: Contraception (Birth Control) and Family Planning

TITLE

Some religious views on family planning.

AUTHORS

Thompson V

SOURCE

In: Schlesinger, B. Family planning in Canada: a source book. Toronto, Canada,

University of Toronto Press, 1974. p. 34-47

ABSTRACT

The official attitudes of Catholics, Jews, and Protestants on contraception, abortion, and sterilization are compared

and contrasted. The origins and evolution of official Catholic doctrine on marriage is traced from the Bible through

Paul and Augustine to Thomas Aquinas, upon whose writings the main outlines of Catholic doctrine on parenthood

are based. Like Augustine, he viewed procreation as the main purpose of marriage, but he expressed it in terms of a

natural law and linked it with the education of children in the worship of God. He added another purpose to marriage,

too: the preservation of the species. Church doctrine regarding marriage has changed little since the time of

Aquinas. Abortion is regarded as homicide by the Catholic Church, and there are no exceptions to this rule.

Sterilization and the birth control pill are also condemned. In Judaism, the sex act has always been of value for itself

and not solely as a means of procreation. Replacement procreation was considered a duty, but beyond that,

contraception was permitted if bearing more children would be injurious to the wife. Social and economic pressures,

however, are not considered worthy reasons for using birth control. Similarly, abortion is permitted to save the life of

the mother or to save her "pain," including psychological pain, but it is not acceptable for social or economic

reasons. Women may become sterilized, but men, who have a religious obligation to father offspring, may not. To

the Protestant, procreation is an important part of marriage, but not necessarily the primary end. The Protestant

churches are not bound by a theory of natural law as is the Catholic Church. Although Protestant legislators were

instrumental in passing anti-contraception laws in the early history of the U.S., the Protestant position now is based

mainly on the individual's right to make his own moral decision in the light of Christian principles. The Lambeth

Conference of the Anglican Church in 1958 proved to be a milestone in the development of the idea of responsible

parenthood. To the Protestant, both abortion and sterilization, while considered extrememly serious steps, are seen

at times of being the lesser of 2 evils. The individual is permitted to act in accordance with his conscience and the

Scriptures. (PubHealth.info Document ID: CONT7T 3549-06)

PubHealth.info NOTE: The author(s) of this article titled, "Some religious views on family planning.", is(are)

Thompson V. The source of this article is "In: Schlesinger, B. Family planning in Canada: a source book. Toronto,

Canada, University of Toronto Press, 1974. p. 34-47". This article was published in 1974 in English language(s).

(PubHealth.info® Document ID: CONT7T 3549-06. All rights reserved with PubHealth.info) PIN: 33549

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