Is contraception use a sin?

[Justin108]

Catholics believe that contraception use is a sin. Leviticus goes in depth about how to prepare an animal sacrifice. There are countless laws and prohibitions throughout the Bible, from what not to eat to what not to wear and not a single mention in the law that prohibits any form of contraceptive.

If contraception is a sin, why is there not a single commandment against it in the entire Bible? God felt the need to tell us to not eat bacon and to not mix fabrics but he never said a single thing about contraception. So why do Catholics believe it's a sin?

A defense Catholics often use is to bring up Onan who was killed by God for "spilling the seed". This, however, can clearly be explained away by the fact that Onan disobeyed a direct order from God to impregnate Tamar. This is similar to Lot's wife being punished for disobeying a direct order from God to not look around. But just as turning around isn't a sin in itself, "spilling the seed" can't be considered a sin either.

Is contraception use a sin? Is there any Biblical support for this belief?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by Justin108]

It's really not complicated. If something is prohibited for believers there will be a law or a bible principle outlining it in scripture. Since there is no law or principle violated, especially for Christians, it would be unbiblical to impose it on couples. As long as the principle of the sanctity of life is respected (with life beginning at conception) than there is nothing in the bible to support the Catholic view apart from their own tradition.


JW

Acts 15:28-29 (NIV)

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

[Benoni]

We are under grace not the law.

[marco]

Is contraception use a sin? Is there any Biblical support for this belief?

There is Biblical condemnation for anything that smacks of smut, such as seeing your dad with no clothes. If God says multiply and people subtract, then it is sinful. Islam is doing very well by encouraging unimpeded couplings and no doubt Allah rejoices in Islamic pregnancies, just as God once rejoiced over dutiful Catholics.

[2timothy316]

If Jehovah wanted more children in the world would a contraceptive really stop that from happening? We only need to understand why there a need for the Hebrews to procreate. It all has to do with the covenant with Abraham. Once Jesus fulfilled that part of the covenant the law along with the commandment to 'be fruitful was nailed to the torture steak with Jesus. (Col 2:13, 14) There is really no Godly reason to keep populating the Earth with more people.

[polonius]

Under the influence of St Augustines, the Catholic Church developed the philosophy that sexual pleasure is a sin and only justified for procreating children. ("Since you cannot otherwise have them, descend to it with sorrow").

But there is a curious loophole. It is permitted to use "natural family planning" to limit conceptions. This is based on observing the timing of the female cycle (hence symto-thermal method).

What actually happens is that intercourse is limited to the period in which the woman hormones naturally suppress ovulation.

Interestingly, many oral contraceptives do the same thing. So the only real difference is that in the case of the Catholic family planning method the use of these contraceptives is really just adding the chemical artificially or observing the time element.

[onewithhim]

Catholics believe that contraception use is a sin. Leviticus goes in depth about how to prepare an animal sacrifice. There are countless laws and prohibitions throughout the Bible, from what not to eat to what not to wear and not a single mention in the law that prohibits any form of contraceptive.

If contraception is a sin, why is there not a single commandment against it in the entire Bible? God felt the need to tell us to not eat bacon and to not mix fabrics but he never said a single thing about contraception. So why do Catholics believe it's a sin?

A defense Catholics often use is to bring up Onan who was killed by God for "spilling the seed". This, however, can clearly be explained away by the fact that Onan disobeyed a direct order from God to impregnate Tamar. This is similar to Lot's wife being punished for disobeying a direct order from God to not look around. But just as turning around isn't a sin in itself, "spilling the seed" can't be considered a sin either.

Is contraception use a sin? Is there any Biblical support for this belief?

You are correct. There is not a single word of prohibition of contraception. It is one of the Church's biggest errors in teaching. I think it was forbidden by them because they wanted lots and lots of Catholics born, to possibly outnumber everybody else.


.

[myth-one.com]

[Replying to post 1 by Justin108 ---- Is contraception a Sin?]

Sin is defined as disobeying the laws or commandments of God:

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: ...for sin is the transgression of the law. (I John 3:4)

The majority of these laws define things which we are forbidden to do.

The general form is

Thou shall not . . .

But look at a few commands expressed as things we should do:

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honour thy father and thy mother:

Now compare those with the following:

Be fruitful, and multiply.

Command or suggestion?

Contraception seems contra to being fruitful and multiplying.

[RightReason]

[Replying to onewithhim]

It is one of the Church's biggest errors in teaching. I think it was forbidden by them because they wanted lots and lots of Catholics born, to possibly outnumber everybody else.

This is an ignorant comment. The Catholic Church has never been alone in her understanding of this beautiful truth. She just however, happens to be one of the only ones left who hasn’t caved or changed her position. Truth doesn’t change.

There is Scriptural evidence demonstrating the immorality of contraception. I’ve discussed it in other threads. The immorality of contraception is also something every Christian religion, as well as Jewish religions taught until around the 1930’s. I would think my fellow Christians would find that fascinating and telling and I would ask my fellow Christians to tell me what changed in 1930 to suddenly cause many denominations to now change their previous teachings regarding the immorality of contraception. Did Scripture change? Has there been new revelation?

I would also ask how could the giver of life be against life? It is contrary to the very nature of God to be pro contraception. God designed us male and female and gave us the gift of sex. Inherent in this gift is a unitive nature. The fact that when a man and a woman have sex in the nature of that act, there exists the potential for children. That is God’s design. Did he mess up?

Do my fellow Christians believe God’s design can be improved? If you aren’t open to the possibility of what the marital act can bring about, then you shouldn’t be engaging in it. Maybe, just maybe, God recognizes what we need better than we do ourselves. I wish everyone knew and understood this beautiful teaching. In her wisdom, the Church remains true to always value and respect life.

[polonius]

Right Reason claims that:

There is Scriptural evidence demonstrating the immorality of contraception.

.

RESPONSE: Please provide the citation to Scripture that clearly does so. This may not "demonstrate" what you are claiming, only what you want us to believe.