Opposing Views On Sex And Contraception In Religion

Throughout this composition I will aim to discuss a multitude of religion’s views around the topic of sex and contraception. Simplistically sex is the insertion of genitalia or other body parts between two or more consenting humans. Contraception is the deliberate use of artificial procedures or other practices to prevent pregnancy and/ or diseases that could be a result of intercourse. Different methods of contraception include hormonal, barrier, intrauterine devices, sterilization, behavioural and emergency contraception. Typically most religions have negative connotations regarding some types of contraception and this essay will aim to pull together, to some degree, an understanding of how different religions view sex and contraception.

Generally Roman Catholic teachings follow ‘stricter’ approach when facing the subject of sex and the use of contraception. They believe that contraception is against natural law and that the possibility of procreation during sex should be accepted; attempting to prevent this is against ‘God’s will’. God is said to have commanded his people to "Be fruitful and multiply," and contraception is seen as a direct rebellion against this as it deliberately aims to prevent reproduction. This in turn proceeds to form the Roman Catholic’s negative opinions surrounding contraception. However, even though both churches follow the same God and learn from the same Bible, their views are slightly varied. Up until the 1900’s the Protestant opinion was heavily similar to that of the Roman Catholic’s. As times changed the opinions of the modern day Protestants altered to gain a more lenient

Orthodox Jews maintain the ideals that the only contraceptive actions that can be taken must be by the female in the relationship. These actions may only be taken in the instance that the health of the woman is at risk and by not using contraception her well-being could be put into a situation in which it could be severely damaged. In a contrast the Liberal Jewish community see the potential benefits of contraception as a promotion for the maintenance of the health and well-being of the couple in use. in a contradiction to Christian beliefs, Judaism presents that sex isn’t simply an act of procreation. Their holy scribing illustrates that sex can also be performed, after marriage, purely as an action for husband and wife to elaborate their love for each other. This is supported by the quote from Maimonides which says “The mating of animals is a temporary and purely physical act. Through the sanctification of marriage, a husband and wife become the closest of relatives.” Creating the depiction that Jewish attitudes find that sex can be a loving act rather than a life growing duty. A section from the website BBC Bitesize GCSE proceeded to explain Jewish views towards having sex during the woman’s menstrual periods. “Once people are married, sex is controlled by the laws of niddah (sexual purity). Women cannot