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Contraception and the Catholic Religion

Many religions have very strong opinions on contraception. This is based on the fact that they believe that if there is contraception then a person will have many sexual partners. This is frowned upon by many religions where it is important to save oneself for marriage. Clarification of this phrase simply means to be a virgin before marriage. As well, a lot of the earliest religious beliefs regarding pregnancy come from wanting to increase their numbers and do this it meant couples having large families. Today many religions have similar stands on the use of contraception; they allow it and understand its use. Time has shown religious leaders of many faiths that there must be more understanding of a woman's needs and the needs of families in a time when things are more expensive and so smaller families more practical.

Catholicism is one religion that does not promote nor allow the use of contraception. They do not have any acceptation to these rules. There is no time when it is allowed. Unlike most other religions this includes when the mother's health may be at risk. One reason for this is the strong belief that sex before marriage is forbidden. Therefore the only possible outcome of allowing the use of birth control would be to appear to sanction casual sex. There is no way that an orthodox religion such as this could appear to approve of such a thing. Contraception by artificial means is wrong if you are a practicing Catholic.

Catholics are allowed to use one natural method whereby a woman charts her cycle. This method, sometimes referred to as the rhythm method, watches the temperature fluctuations during a woman's cycle. If the basal body temperature rises one degree then the woman is in her fertile period. The temperature is taken the same time every day, in the morning while still in bed, and a chart is kept. The couple then abstains from a sexual relationship during that time. Usually it lasts up to a week. This method of contraception only works for a married couple who are in a long term relationship. It would never work for young lovers. The problem is that it is only eighty one percent successful and that means many unplanned pregnancies. Nonetheless as it is the only method of contraception allowed by the Church it gets used.

Interestingly these rules became harsher in the 1930s when a stricter position was taken on contraception. The Pope of the time was very much against using outside means of birth control. The Church reiterated the position that sex was for one purpose only and that was to produce children. Therefore how could the Catholic people have any reason to use artificial means to stop that which was the sole reason for the act?

Over the years there has been much opposition to the stand on contraception taken by the Catholic Church. Yet, each Pope remains of the same staunch attitude banning further discussions or changes on the issue.