birth control conclusions... for now at least

Since beginning my investigation on birth control, many questions came up, and it definitely produced more conversation than I thought it would! This is just not something we usually talk about in church... so if you are still wondering, check it out. I'm not going to lie to you, it's pretty long... so take it in chunks. It's worth a read though. We need to be educated!! If you do want to look into birth control more, a great book to look into more would be Birth Control for Christians by Jenell Williams Paris. Decide for yourself.

Since the beginning of time, birth control has always been something every woman needs to consider. There have never been so many options as today. The issues surrounding birth control are not just associated with cost, effectiveness and the advantages/disadvantages of each method, but the moral debates that surround each method are significant in choosing which method is best suited for the individual. For the most part, birth control is viewed as an individual matter within the church, kept behind closed doors. Lately, things such as birth control and sex are no longer taboos, but can be talked about within the confines of appropriateness. Varying views exist on whether or not birth control should be used. Some believe that all birth control is acceptable and beneficial for maintaining world population and growth. Others believe that it is acceptable to “limit the family, if the method is self-control by abstinence and continence… [however, they] forbid the limitation of the family, or contraception, by chemical, mechanical or other artificial means”. There is also the argument that some birth control is acceptable, while others are not. What follows will be an examination of each argument as well as of the following birth control methods, including behavioural methods, barrier methods, hormonal methods, IUDs and permanent solutions to birth control, as well as the factors one must consider in order to decide what is best for the individual.

Traditionally Catholics view contraceptive methods as obscene, although many practicing Catholics use birth control in protest to the church. At first, this view may be discredited due to the lack of awareness of their reasons. Pope Paul VI advocated that permitting birth control would hold grave consequences. The pope described four consequences that would ensue due to the introduction of contraceptive availability. Making contraceptives available to the public, according to the pope, would open the road for marital infidelity and ultimately a widespread degradation of societal morality. This was later proven, as the physicality of dating escalated throughout the twentieth century, encouraging young single girls to become flirty and sexy, gaining experience sexually in order to please their man. Bringing contraception into the marriage bed would create an easier opportunity for the man to lose respect for the woman, as the man would then be tempted to look at his wife as a mere instrument for self enjoyment. Contraception allows a man to remove himself from the consequences of his actions. A third consequence for permitting contraception would be that birth control, in the hand of governments, could be dangerous, as it allows genocide, population control and can enhance governmental manipulation on the population. This was proved when over seventeen states in America approved involuntary sterilization of the mentally retarded, insane and other “undesirable people”. Also, the US government allowed the testing of birth control pills on thousands of ignorant Puerto Rican women. Women were not told what was being tested on them, which consequently caused either temporary or permanent sterilization, painful side effects and sometimes even death. Finally, contraception provides people with a false sense of self-delusion. People believe that they are in control of their lives, taking any governance away from God. While this is the traditional belief set of a Catholic, many others believe that all types of birth control are wrong. Since the Pill began to be sold in 1960, divorces have tripled, out-of-wedlock births jumped from 224,000 to 1.2 million, abortions doubled, and cohabitation soared 10-fold from 430,000 to 4.2 million. Half of those seeking abortions were using birth control! The Pill today prevents even fewer pregnancies than it prevented 30 years ago.

Sam and Bethany Torode, in their article Make Love and Babies argue this point from an evangelical background. They are presenting a somewhat different approach, counter-cultural to evangelical Christianity. There are both positive and negative things that can be taken from their point of view. It is not clear whether or not they believe that sex can be used as a form of pleasure, or if it is merely a means for procreation. They argue that by “subtly elevating pleasure to the place belonging to procreation and unity, we may be unconsciously buying into our culture’s hedonistic pursuit of pleasure as an end in itself. They agree that with the entrance of birth control. There is a danger in treating each other’s bodies as objects, using them for purposes other than what they were intended. They argue that what is done with our bodies is also done to our souls. “Each sex act simultaneously symbolizes and renews the marriage covenant… it mysteriously speaks of the union of Christ and the church.” Therefore, contraceptives would be severing this link deliberately. They do agree with “family planning” or NFP (Natural Family Planning) because the “periodic abstinence (prudent self-control) preserves the integrity, symbolism, and sacramental wholeness of each sex act. The one-flesh union is neither diminished nor compromised.” It is proper for a couple to use the natural timing as a method of birth control, rather than employing an unnatural method, in opposition to God’s plan. Childbearing should be embraced as a gift, with joy. In the mystery it is to be reverenced once again.

A majority of the evangelical Christian community has approved the use of birth control. It was not until after the development of modern science that regulation on contraception and abortion became stringent in the Christian community. For generations, abortion was forbidden, though it was acceptable for a woman to “quicken” menstruation by drinking a sort of herbal poison, inducing menstruation early in the pregnancy. This was acceptable due to the belief that the baby was not considered human until the mother was able to feel movement (which is around fourteen weeks). With scientific discovery, there is now evidence of life at conception, as the embryo forms. This makes many other forms of birth control unethical. However, many Christians are unaware of the ramifications of their birth control decision. Christians require more guidelines than “no sex before marriage” and “no abortion”. There are far too many grey areas which Christians have become ignorant to. The different methods of birth control and their ethical implications will be discussed below. Generally, birth control is endorsed inside of marriage, with careful and restrained use. It is not the method necessarily that makes contraception right or wrong, but the motive. Children should not be avoided on account of luxury, selfish ambition or convenience. It could be argued that birth control in North America is then continuously abused by those inside and outside of the Christian community alike. However, it is contested that birth control improves marriages, allowing a couple to freely express themselves in sexual love and intimacy without the fear of pregnancy. Inside this debate, there are obvious birth control methods which would be viewed as unacceptable, which will be discussed below.

There is a third argument to this debate. All forms of birth control are acceptable. These forms also include abortion as a form of birth control and forms of hormonal and mechanical methods which create an uninhabitable environment for the embryo. The argument behind this position would attest that a woman should have the freedom and availability to do with her body whatever she likes. There is dispute regarding when would be too late to abort the embryo, though all abortion could really be equated. This belief is outside of Christian beliefs and would be, on a whole, be considered unethical. There is more care for the woman than for the possible new life that she is carrying. The sense of responsibility is lost as the rights of the woman override all else. Since there are no definite instructions on birth control in the Bible, there is a certain umbrella of grace people fall under. This however, is outside of God’s purpose for any individuals. There are consequences far reaching, beyond our limited understanding of human rights. In order to have a proper perspective on birth control, it is important to have a right relationship with yourself, God and the technology of birth control.

Understanding the reproductive systems is important in order to understand God’s plan for your sex life and your fertility. For instance, most people do not know that a couple is only fertile for approximately ten days per month. Therefore, it is not completely necessary to use some form of birth control for the entire month! It is essential for every woman to understand what is involved in each type of birth control due to the ethical ramifications. Each option will be described with pertinent information, as each small difference can carry huge weight. Many women are unaware of what exactly their contraceptive is accomplishing, and therefore could be committing ethical crimes unknowingly. God has created a cycle in which women are able to get to know their bodies. Birth control is a form of interrupting this fertile period. One method of preventing pregnancy is behavioural methods. Behavioural methods prevent an egg and sperm from producing an embryo, while being immediately reversible. This includes self-observation methods. When used properly and consistently, these methods are quite effective, having a very low pregnancy rate overall. Since it is natural and reversible, there are many advantages to these methods. There are a few disadvantages to these methods, including: these methods require daily attention, it may be more complex for some women, it requires the cooperation of partner and it requires more time and energy. Withdrawal (coitus interruptus) is another behavioural method, though not used due to its low efficiency, has been considered as a sin, due to the passage in Genesis 38 where Onan uses this type of birth control. It has to be noted that God does not kill Onan due to his choice of birth control, but because of his motive behind using it. His sins were not using birth control, but disobedience, deceit, selfishness and abuse. Christians should be wise about not only their choice of birth control, but their motives behind choosing it.

Barrier methods, though unnatural and less effective, have been used by Christians. Barrier methods would include using condoms (which prevents the sperm from coming in contact with the egg), spermicides (which destroy the cell membrane around the sperm, causing the sperm to die) and vaginal barriers (which include the diaphragm, sponge and cervical cap). Vaginal barriers work in two ways, both to provide a physical barrier from entering the cervix, as well as holding a spermicide that kills sperm. Though each barrier method varies in effectiveness, none of these present ethical dilemmas.

The most commonly used contraceptive by Christians and non-Christians alike are hormonal contraceptives. It is therefore pertinent to understand the possible moral consequences of each method. Most hormonal contraceptives are now called “combined” hormonal contraceptives because they prevent pregnancies by delivering both progestin and estrogen. This can be delivered through use of monthly injections, the patch, the vaginal ring or the pill. They usually work in three ways. First, they prevent ovulation (no egg is released and pregnancy is avoided). Second, hormones thicken the cervical fluid, keeping sperm away from the egg; and third, these hormones alter the development of the endometrium, preventing implantation of the embryo in the uterus. The effectiveness of each method varies, as well as the side effects and advantages and disadvantages.

It is interesting to point out that while this is the most commonly used method of contraception, there are significant disadvantages in comparison to the above stated methods. This method may not be completely reversible, and may cause temporary or permanent sterility. Hormonal contraceptives raise ethical questions, as they may cause severe side effects and they alter the endometrial lining, preventing implantation of an already formed embryo. Many Christians oppose hormonal contraceptives for the following reasons: These risks and side effects are viewed as poor stewardship of the body, hormonal contraceptives damage marriages, as a couple is left to rely on technology above God. Moreover, sex is always available when there is no need for abstinence. The virtues of self-control and respect for the woman’s body and cycle are lost. Finally, Christians have argued that these forms of birth control cause abortion. “Medical doctor Chris Kahlenborn testified to the FDA that “a woman who takes the oral contraceptive pill will have at least one abortion for every year that she is on it.” Yet, millions of pro-life Christians use the pill when they are told by their doctor that hormonal methods are a safe and effective method of birth control. The question remains, are hormonal methods of birth control abortive? There seems to be no clear answer, though it seems as though this issue should not be so murky. To get a better understanding of this debate, one must concentrate on the weakening of the lining (the third job of hormonal contraceptives). It must be noted that when a woman is taking hormonal contraceptives, and only when ovulation is not prevented (unlikely) and when the egg is fertilized (even more unlikely), that this ethical question comes into play. It is then, that an embryo has been produced and has the ability to imbed in the endometrium. For Christians who believe life starts at conception, this lack of imbedding is ethically problematic. These hormonal contraceptives therefore kill life at its earliest development. Conversely, it has not been proven that the uterine lining is thinned when a woman is able to ovulate. According to several Christian doctors, it has only been proved that a women’s lining thins when she is not able to ovulate. They “conclude that while a theoretical risk of abortion exists with hormonal methods, it is not a known risk and so does not carry the ethical weight of a known risk. Finally, professionals sit on both sides of this argument, making it even more difficult to decipher the truth. It is clear however, that if a woman is not regular in taking these hormonal contraceptives, that she will be able to ovulate and be able to have a weak uterine lining, playing an abortifacient role if the egg is fertilized. It is important to realize that about 50 percent of women who take the minipill (progestin-only pill) continue to ovulate regularly, while implants and injections prevent ovulation nearly always.

“Emergency contraception” (often called the “morning-after-pill” not to be confuse with RU-486) and IUDs (Intrauterine Device) are not contraceptive. Women who have had unprotected intercourse (controversially, rape) are often offered emergency contraception as an option. This method terminates the embryo before it has implanted in the uterine lining. Since, according the medical community, a pregnancy begins when the embryo embedded in the uterine wall, this is completely acceptable. If you believe that life begins when an embryo is formed, this would be considered abortion. There are many disadvantages to IUDs (including ethical consequences) that would possibly hinder future pregnancies or cause serious problems to a new life if indeed an embryo was able to embed. Though firm conclusions about IUDs have not been researched thoroughly enough due to lack of funding.

Finally, there is a possible option for permanent sterilization for both men and women. In both instances, zygotes (egg and sperm) are prevented from expelling. Though there is still a very slight possibility for pregnancy, this method is usually very permanent. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this method, though there are few ethical concerns. There is huge controversy surrounding involuntary sterilization of the mentally retarded or insane, though that is completely different issue which cannot be covered in this paper. It could be argued that surgery would be impeding on God’s power, though this is a weak argument, surrounded by Christian’s acceptance of alternate surgeries.

During my countless hours of research, I was able to talk to many women in my congregation about birth control, as well as coming across numerous testimonies. This facilitated me in allowing me to take a solid position. Originally, I was under the impression that birth control was a straight forward topic, vacant of ethical debate. No sex before marriage and no abortions. Due to the lack of Biblical instruction, I was forced to look to many other trusted resources. Upon further investigation, this clear subject became very murky. Birth control is a private issue that should not be, on a whole discussed publicly, especially not in church! This is slowly changing, although the resistance that it is meeting. First of all, since there is no specific Biblical instruction on birth control, I believe God has allowed for a margin of discretion. Not to sound cliché, but one must pray about this issue within the confines of marriage to find a conclusion appropriate for their family. Motive is definitely more important than method, as God does not call us to be selfish or comfortable. God does call us to be good stewards, and to be smart about our lives. Abstinence inside of marriage (as a means of birth control) is wrong (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). Though I am not married, I do believe that it is ethically acceptable and beneficial for a couple to practice temporary abstinence each month, as a means of birth control. Due to the abundance of grey areas within this subject, many of the methods described above can be viewed acceptable, so long as you are okay with inserting foreign objects or hormones into your body. I do not feel comfortable with the amount of side effects to the Pill or the thought of working around foreign objects within the marriage bed. I do believe that with the introduction of birth control, a woman’s body could easily be taken for granted, and not listened to. I believe that God has created the man and woman in the way He did in order for His creation to discover every part of it. God created a woman with a cycle to explore, not control. He saw that it was good – the way He made it. Agreed, the woman’s body was different prior to the fall. God’s plan does not stop here because He is sovereign. I believe that God created the woman’s cycle to bring a couple together. Through using the self-observation method, a couple can decide to get pregnant whenever they desire, as it is reversible at any time. Nothing about this method is unnatural or foreign. During the abstinent times, this allows for creativity within the couples relationship, fostering different expressions of intimacy. This method also promotes an increased awareness by both partners about the woman’s reproductive health, which cultivates an appreciation for the human body, God’s design and the process of reproduction.

If you have any questions.. or want to talk about, I'm totally up for that. Thank you for actually getting through this whole thing!!