Why is birth control frowned upon in the Catholic Church?

Question

I'm just curious. Especially with cases where it may be dangerous to a woman's health if she were to get pregnant, does anyone know where this stems from? Is it seen as a form of abortion? I'm confused....

It would be great if Catholics would reply. All Catholic/Christian haters can waste their time with different questions.

Answer 1

Whitney, I am not a catholic and I would check with a priest to be sure. One thing is certain the answers that say it is to increase the number of catholics are simply wrong.

Likewise, in days past, there might have been a stronger emphasis on the procreative nature of sex. But as one person indicated today catholics may have sex within a married relationship for the purpose of pleasure and growing closer to each other.

My suspicion is that this has more to do with the Catholic belief that life begins at the point of conception. Many forms of contraception risk destroying life at the precious moment. But this can't be the only reason, as has been indicated with the case of condoms. So I do advise that you raise this question with a priest.

Pastor John

I'macatholic I wondered where you were on this question. I'm surprised, the real answer then is simply the welcoming of children as a gift from God. Why then is abstaining during the "right time" not considered wrong for the same reason?

Answer 2

1. The Catholic Church is perfectly okay with you using artificial birth control to correct a medical condition. Not sure why you think otherwise. 2. The Catholic Church also agrees that we need to be kind to others and not judge them. 3. Do you mean that you don't believe that having a homosexual attraction or orientation is a sin? The Catholic Church agrees with that. The Church teaches that homosexual orientation in and of itself can't be helped and therefore is not a sin. If you mean to say that homosexual activity is not a sin, then you are parting company with the Bible and the Church. The Bible clearly says that homosexual activity is a sin, and the Catholic Church agrees with the Bible. You need to figure out where you stand on that one. 4. Basically, no, you shouldn't leave the Catholic Church, because it looks like you are pretty much in agreement with Catholicism. You should, however, take the RCIA class at your church as an adult-level "refresher" course. Sounds like you got most of your education about Catholicism as a child, and hence, you didn't get the adult-level instruction that you need to be comfortable with Catholicism.

Answer 3

The reason that the Catholic Church is opposed to contraception is because contraception interferes with the possibility of marital relations bringing forth new life. Sex is a gift from God in which the married couple is brought closer together spiritually, physically, and emotionally. The ultimate expression ofthis physical, spiritual, and emotional unity is new life - a baby. Contraception interferes with this expression.

Answer 4

Some forms of birth control are forms of abortion.

There is a sharp moral distinction between contraceptives, which prevent conception, and abortifacients, which destroy the fertilized egg.

+ Abortifacients +

Catholic teaching condemns the intentional killing of the unborn at any time from conception on, defining conception as taking place when “the ovum is fertilized.”

Intrauterine devices and so-called “morning-after” pills are abortifacients because they destroy a fertilized egg.

+ Contraception +

Judeo-Christian tradition has taught for thousands of years:
1. Single people should be celibate.
2. Married people should be faithful to each other (adultery is wrong).
3. Married couples should welcome God's gift of children and, therefore, artificial birth control is against the will of God.

For more information, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1934 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect1chpt2art3.htm#1934

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 5

The people who answered that Catholics think the only reason you should have sex is to procreate are incorrect. The three reasons a Christian/Catholic (married, one woman and one man and having sex with their spouse) is -To become one flesh, to procreate, and for pleasure. Catholics are able to choose how many children they want. They believe they should have sex/not have sex (depending on whether they want to conceive or not) based on the woman's ovulation cycle, temperature, etc to know if she is ovulating and when. They simply do not have intercourse during that time period. Married Christians/Catholics can have sex in other ways during that time if they choose.

Answer 6

Catholics believe all life is sacred and contraceptives bastardize the procreative process of sex. They do make exceptions for things like putting the woman's life in danger et alia. Even though I'm agnostic, I do see where they are going with this and they are trying to be consistent in their beliefs: anti-abortion, anti-death penalty, censuring war, etc. They also seem to be one of the last remaining sects of Christianity to condemn divorce, too.

Answer 7

Only SOME forms of birth control are frowned upon. Birth control that does not separate the procreative and unitive aspects of the marital act is fine.

Answer 8

some forms of contraception are frowned upon as a form of abortion because they doesn't actually prevent fertilisation of the egg, they prevent the fertilised egg being implanted in the womb. I think it's slightly dubious to be honest. Don't understand why condoms are wrong. I think it might be because it's seen as encouraging casual sex.

Answer 9

I'm NOT Catholic but in the bible in GENESIS 35:11 GOD said to be fruitful and multiply. So if you don't have babies you are going against the word of the lord. PS.sex is not for fun it's to conceive children.and what better way of making people do it then to make sex feel good.

Answer 10

if god blesses you with a baby, then that's the way it is.
It's like messing around with his plan to use birthcontrol.
kind of that, everything happens for a reason thing.

not that I am any longer part of the church. But I do know that the people who go to the church I used to, clearly use birthcontrol. Or they never have sex.
one is more likely.