Why does Catholicism forbid birth control?

Question

I can understand an objection to anything that destroys zygotes or embryos. But, what's wrong with barrier methoods of birth control?

What, EXACTLY, is the objection? I'm not trying to be argumentative; I'm serious.

Answer 1

The Church still believes that any act of intercourse should be for procreation. It has decided that's it's OK to enjoy it but the entire reason for the act is to produce children. Birth control interferes with procreation and, therefore, they are against it's use. That's why the Church does not approve of masturbation, either. Most Catholics, though, have decided for themselves that the use of contraception is a good thing and most of them use it. They feel that the Church is out of touch with reality on this.

Answer 2

Actually, most Catholics in the United States probably agree with you. I had read several years ago that about 45% of all Catholics used it anyway, regardless of what the Pope said. And last year, a poll in Texas said that 74% of the Catholics there felt the Church should support birth control.

They would draw the line where you do here, that in using birth control, people would avoid children being created when they were not able to support them. And it is not the same as abortion, which actually takes a life that has already been created in the womb.

The main teaching of the Church against it is that scripture tells us not to use anything artificial, that God should be the one who decides when life is started. There is an article at this link, that explains further.

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/BirthControl.asp?pubID=51

Answer 3

It is not just Catholism that prohibits birth control. many other relegions also do not believe in BC. Now Think about the very first commandment God gave man, it is in the Bible. In the first chap of Genisis God told Adam and Eve to "multilpy and fill the earth." As far as I know there is no place in the Bible that God refutes or removes that commandment and when ever God does want to change a commandment he has made it known through his prophets.

Answer 4

Sex- according to the Catholic Church- must be between a married man and woman and must be in order to produce life. Birth control is basically stopping the life process before it even starts. So basically it is destroying embryos.

Answer 5

I guess it works like this. Sex is a very powerful way of releasing tensions, and an obviously pleasing activity, that most people have a desire for. So, making everything that has to do with sex sinful is a way to control and manipulate societies. They know that sooner or later, you are going to feel like having sex. So, they make you feel guilty for that. And they also lobby for birth control methods to be illegal or frowned upon, and they spread lies or half-trues about them so people are afraid to use them. That way, you either stop having sex, or run the risk of pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease, or else use some contraceptive method, and feel guilty about it.

So, in a nutshell, I think the Catholic Church forbids birth control, to manipulate societies.

Answer 6

Since sex is meant for procreation purposes, married Catholic couples should always be open to the possibility of a pregnancy. While family planning is allowed, the use of contraceptives, both hormonal and barrier, are not. Likewise, tubal ligations and vasectomies for purposes of contraception and sterilization are not acceptable, although they may be done out of medical necessity.

Barrier methods of birth control, such as the condom and the cervical cap, along with hormonal contraceptives, like the birth control pill and Depo-Provera, are thought to interfere with the act of conception. Specifically, they prevent the egg from being fertilized by a sperm and in some cases may inhibit a pregnancy further by preventing the implantation of an egg. To Catholics, purposely stopping the joining of an egg and sperm is thought to be a sin, therefore these forms of birth control are not accepted.

So what can Catholic couples do if they want to space out their children? Natural Family Planning methods are encouraged and supported by the Roman Catholic Church. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for various forms of birth control that do not involve any hormones or physical barriers to prevent pregnancy, but instead rely on periods of abstinence during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Popular forms of NFP include the rhythm method, basal body temperature charting and the Standard Days Method.

Because NFP is a very involved form of birth control, often requiring regular charting and monitoring of various bodily functions, it is necessary that both partners be dedicated to practicing NFP. It is precisely for this reason that NFP is generally recommended for those in stable, committed relationships. Additionally, those who use NFP often say that this method of contraception helps bring them closer to their partner, as it improves their communication about their bodies and their sexuality.

Abortion
The Roman Catholic Church considers life to begin at conception, when an egg is fertilized by a sperm. Therefore, abortion is seen as a form of murder, making it a sin. Any Catholic that obtains or takes part in an abortion is considered to be excommunicated from the Church, although they may be allowed back if they ask for forgiveness for their sin. In addition to an actual abortion procedure, the Church views other actions, including the use of an IUD, the Morning After Pill, RU-486; embryonic stem cell research, and IVF, as acts of abortion because they have the potential to destroy an embryo. Yet, the Church also distinguishes between what they consider to be a direct abortion and an indirect abortion.

A direct abortion is an act that purposely ends the life of an embryo or fetus. These forms of abortion are always thought to be morally wrong, thus making them a sin. An indirect abortion refers to an act that is used to save a woman’s life but that indirectly causes an unborn child to die. For example, a woman dealing with an ectopic pregnancy would need to have part of her fallopian tube removed in order to save her life. Although the fetus is not destroyed by this act, it will die because it is taken out of the body. However, this type of situation very rarely arises thereby making the majority of abortion procedures a grave sin in the eyes of the Church.

Answer 7

There is a passage in the bible that says seamen should not be wasted. Catholoics take that to mean no birth control, its also the reason they say you should not masterbate. Basiclly they believe that since seamen contains "life" it should not be wasted, or used for anything other than procreation.

Answer 8

I believe that the Catholic church forbids birth control because birth control aids in the prevention of human reproduction.

Answer 9

It's in the Bible.....taking "go out & mulitply" .....literally.

All religions take something from the Bible to justify their beliefs or practices....... objecting to abortion....homosexuality....eating the meat from pigs....people with darker skin the result of some sin...etc.

They all have their "things".

Answer 10

A former Pope said it was wrong. Because some OTHER Pope had the Papacy declared infallible, the Church is stuck with a policy of encouraging overpopulation.

In other words, you answer is "Church Politics".