Family Planning and Contraception

Question 1

What is contraception?

Answer 1

Contraception comes from two words: ‘Contra’ to prevent and ‘ception’ short for conception. There are many forms of contraception which can be divided into natural and artificial.

Question 2

What are artificial methods of contraception?

Answer 2

Artificial methods of contraception are created by humans to allow a couple to have a sexual relationship without a pregnancy occurring. Examples are condoms and the pill.

It is estimated that 90% of the sexually active population use artificial contraception in the UK.

Question 3

What are natural methods of contraception?

Answer 3

Natural methods of contraception involve reducing the chance of a woman becoming pregnant by planning sex around the most infertile times during her monthly cycle. An example is the rhythm method.

Question 4

What is the Catholic Church’s view on artificial contraception?

Answer 4

The Church teaches against the use of artificial contraception because it believes the purpose of sex is both unitive and creative. Artificial contraception is seen as a deliberate attempt to change the nature of sex, which is a gift from God.

Question 5

What concerns does the Catholic Church have about artificial contraception?

Answer 5

The Church argues that artificial contraception increases promiscuity and encourages a lack of responsibility and commitment, going against what God intended sex to be.

Question 6

What is the Catholic Church’s stance on when human life begins?

Answer 6

The Church teaches that human life begins at conception, therefore, artificial contraception such as the morning after pill is considered abortive, which the Church strongly opposes.

Question 7

What do Church teachings say about artificial contraception?

Answer 7

Multiple Popes have taught that Catholics shouldn’t use artificial contraception as they are contrary to the purpose of sex and against God’s plan for human beings.

Question 8

What did Pope Pius XI teach about artificial contraception?

Answer 8

In 1930, Pope Pius XI banned all artificial contraception, stating it ‘violates the law of God and nature.’

Question 9

What was the significance of Pope Paul VI’s ‘Humanae Vitae’?

Answer 9

In 1968, Pope Paul VI confirmed that taking the pill and other forms of contraception to prevent life is a mortal sin.

‘Humanae Vitae’ mentioned that contraception may lead men to objectify women.

Question 10

What did Pope Paul VI believe about men’s perception of women due to contraception?

Answer 10

He believed some men may grow to see women as a way to have pleasure rather than as ‘beloved companions.’

Question 11

Does the Church allow the use of natural contraception?

Answer 11

Yes, the Church teaches that Catholics may use natural contraception.

Question 12

What did Pope Pius XII teach about natural contraception?

Answer 12

In 1951, Pope Pius XII taught that the use of natural methods of contraception was allowable for Catholics.

Question 13

What are the key differences between artificial and natural contraception?

Answer 13

Natural contraception works with how God created the human body, while artificial contraception works against it.

Question 14

How does natural contraception align with God’s plan?

Answer 14

It is natural for a female to be more fertile at certain periods, and using these times to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy is within God’s plan.

Question 15

Does natural contraception stop the possibility of life?

Answer 15

No, natural contraception does not stop the possibility of life nor change the nature of the sexual act.

Question 16

What is the effect of natural contraception on sexual acts?

Answer 16

Although it makes pregnancy less likely, sexual acts using natural contraception are still open to new life.

Question 17

What is the general view of non-Catholic Christians on contraception?

Answer 17

Most non-Catholic Christians agree with contraception as long as it is used to restrict family size, not to stop having children altogether.

Question 18

What are some reasons non-Catholic Christians support contraception?

Answer 18

Contraception can improve a woman’s health and wellbeing, allowing her to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Question 19

What is the belief regarding the enjoyment of sex among non-Catholic Christians?

Answer 19

Non-Catholic Christians believe that a married couple should enjoy the unitive aspect of sex without worrying about raising another child.

Question 20

Is there a biblical reference banning contraception?

Answer 20

There is no direct reference banning contraception in the Bible. Non-Catholic Christians believe that if God did not want humans to use contraception, he would have made this clear in the Bible.

Question 21

What significant event in 1930 influenced non-Catholic Christian views on contraception?

Answer 21

In 1930, the Church of England, at the Conference of Lambert, taught that contraception could be used to limit family size.

Question 22

What health benefit do non-Catholic Christians associate with condoms?

Answer 22

Non-Catholic Christians may believe that the use of condoms helps prevent STIs/HIV.

Question 23

How does the issue of contraception affect Christian unity?

Answer 23

The issue of contraception divides Christians, and most non-Catholic Christians do not teach the same views as the Catholic Church on this issue.

Question 24

What is Situation Ethics?

Answer 24

Situation Ethics is the belief that actions should always be based on the ‘most loving thing to do’ as Jesus taught us to ‘love our neighbour’.

Question 25

How do followers of Situation Ethics determine right actions?

Answer 25

Followers of Situation Ethics work out what they believe is the most loving thing to do in any situation, and that becomes the right action.

Question 26

What is the Christian perspective on contraception according to Situation Ethics?

Answer 26

Christians who follow Situation Ethics may argue that contraception is allowable if it is the most loving thing to do. ## Footnote For example, they may argue that condoms help stop the spread of STIs.

Question 27

What is the general view of humanists and atheists towards contraception?

Answer 27

Humanists and atheists are generally in favour of contraception for several reasons.

Question 28

How does contraception improve women's health according to humanists?

Answer 28

Contraception improves women's health and wellbeing by allowing them to decide when to become pregnant, enabling life choices that may not always be possible.

Question 29

What do humanists believe about the impact of contraception on existing children?

Answer 29

Humanists may believe that contraception can improve the standard of living for existing children by preventing unwanted children who may stretch family resources.

Question 30

What is the humanist view on the relationship between contraception and abortion?

Answer 30

Humanists argue that contraception can reduce the need for abortion, which they believe should be avoided if possible.

Question 31

What do many atheists and humanists argue about contraception and STIs?

Answer 31

Many atheists and humanists argue that contraception is the best way to provide protection against STIs.

Question 32

What is the Catholic Church's stance on artificial contraception?

Answer 32

The Catholic Church rejects the arguments for artificial contraception put forward by other Christians and Atheists.

Question 33

What does the Catholic Church say about stopping the spread of STIs?

Answer 33

The Church states that there are only two ways to ensure that disease is not passed on during sex: ensuring your sexual partner does not have any diseases or not having sex.

Question 34

What is the Church's view on the effectiveness of condoms and barrier contraception?

Answer 34

The Church argues that condoms and other forms of barrier contraception can split or fail.

Question 35

How does the Church believe its teachings on sex can impact STIs?

Answer 35

The Church believes that following its teachings on premarital sex and sex only occurring in marriage would dramatically reduce the rate of sexually transmitted diseases.

Question 36

What is the Church's perspective on the impact of contraception on women?

Answer 36

The Church disagrees that contraception has helped women and believes it has negatively impacted their role and position in society.

Question 37

How does the Church view women in relation to God?

Answer 37

The Church teaches that women are 'made in the image of God' and are always worthy of dignity, care, and love.

Question 38

What prediction did Pope Paul VI make regarding artificial contraception?

Answer 38

Pope Paul VI predicted that artificial contraception would change the way sex was viewed, leading men to see sex as something without responsibility and to objectify women.

Question 39

What do bishops today argue regarding Pope Paul VI's prediction?

Answer 39

Bishops today argue that we are seeing the prediction of the Pope come true as pornography, which objectifies women, is now much more widely available.

Question 40

What is the Church's belief about some forms of contraception and abortion?

Answer 40

The Catholic Church believes that some forms of contraception are abortive.

Question 41

What is an example of a contraceptive that the Church considers abortive?

Answer 41

The morning after pill causes a fertilised egg to be rejected by the woman's body, which the Church considers a form of early abortion according to the Magisterium.