Question for Christians

[kfuller2]

Is birth control wrong in God's eyes? Why or why not? Tell me what you believe,have been taught, etc. I'd really like to know.

The reason I ask only of Christians is I know that unbelievers will all say there is nothing wrong with birth control. I don't know of a single nonbeliever that thinks birth control is wrong. So, if I'm wrong about that, please feel free to correct me.

But I'm really looking for why you think God thinks it's wrong.

Example: My husband and I have three children. We are both full time students and have to be on gov't assistance to feed our family. We think it would be foolish at this point and time to conceive yet another child. We want to wait until we get off of assistance and can handle another before we try again. So I have an IUD. Thoughts???

Please be polite. I'm sincerely asking here. Thank you.

 

[Criada]

Personally I don't have any issue with birth control... it is a way that we can ensure that children are only born to those who want them and can care for them.
I think God is happy with that.

 

[The Nihilist]

The Catholic Church says birth control is wrong, other churches don't, and what God thinks is anyone's guess. This one is your call, and someone will probably criticize you one way or the other. Of course, I'd rather be criticized than have to worry about 10 kids.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

well, I know a good number of non-believers who believe that birth control is bad. Not evil, just bad.

Personally, I don't have a problem with it, nor do I think God has a problem with it, but that all hinges on your reasoning for using it. Christians are to put their faith in God. There is never the perfect time to have kids.

In the end, it's between you and God.

 

[Washington]

Considering how most Christians regard human conception to be a god given function, and then considering all the ways he's established to prevent successful pregnancies; 8-12 days of infertility, outright infertility, failures to implant, ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, stillbirths, etc. etc. I wouldn't think he would mind if someone decided to take steps to supplement his methods. Having intercourse with contraceptives has no different an effect than not having intercourse at all. And, I doubt your god would frown on someone having sex just for the enjoyment of it. After all, I doubt he does so when women can't conceive, e.g. during her infertile period, while already pregnant, and after menopause.

Just an agnostic's opinion.

 

[Fenny the Fox]

I, personally, have no issue with birth control.

The majority of arguments against such, that I have seen, involve a couple of verses.

One being the call to "multiply and fill the earth" (Gen 1:28).Which we have certainly done. What with the population of the earth approaching 7 billion.

Another being the idea that you should not "spill the seed". This is from the Genesis passage, chapter 38, where Judah tells his son to sleep with his (dead) brother's wife and bear a child in the name of the (dead) brother. the son does not do so, disobeying his father. He is then struck down by God.
This death is best explained by the combination of disobeying his father, as well as seeking only gratification from Tamar, rather than taking responsibility for her and bearing a child that could both carry the name as well as support her in age. Thereby his sin was this: refusal to care for his brother's widow and using her (selfishly) for sexual gratification.


So, I see no biblical reason to not use birth control. But, as anything, I feel it is easily open to interpretation. It is between the individuals and God. And, I feel, that, if you view an act as sin, then it is a sin: if you view that the use of birth control is sinful, then to use it is sinful.

 

[silence_dogood]

Is birth control wrong in God's eyes? Why or why not? Tell me what you believe,have been taught, etc. I'd really like to know.

Abortifacient birth control, yes. Non-abortifacient birth control, no.

But I'm really looking for why you think God thinks it's wrong.

Because abortifacient birth control kills unborn children.

Example: My husband and I have three children. We are both full time students and have to be on gov't assistance to feed our family.

Most adults would put school on hold and go get a job until they can afford to go back to school.

We think it would be foolish at this point and time to conceive yet another child.

And yet, you have no problem giving your children the message that it's OK to go on welfare?

 

[silence_dogood]

Personally I don't have any issue with birth control... it is a way that we can ensure that children are only born to those who want them and can care for them.

Spoken like a true pro-abortion advocate.

I think God is happy with that.

Really? You think God thinks it's OK to kill children He created, just because they may not be "wanted"? Didn't you ever stop to think that He took that into account before He created them?

 

[Criada]

Spoken like a true pro-abortion advocate.

Actually I am pro-life, not sure how you got anything about abortion from what I said.

Really? You think God thinks it's OK to kill children He created, just because they may not be "wanted"? Didn't you ever stop to think that He took that into account before He created them?

No, I don't think He thinks it's ok to kill anyone... but that isn't what this thread is about. I think it is ok to prevent conception... that isn't the same thing as killing a child who has been conceived!

There is also the fact that it's very hard to prevent a life God has planned from coming into being... my fourth child is proof of that!

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Actually I am pro-life, not sure how you got anything about abortion from what I said.

I don't know either. I think someone is stretching. I've never seen you advocate for abortion.

No, I don't think He thinks it's ok to kill anyone... but that isn't what this thread is about. I think it is ok to prevent conception... that isn't the same thing as killing a child who has been conceived!

Some birth control, like the morning after pill, is designed to end a life as it begins. I suppose some could take the stance then that taking birth control is akin to murder. I think it's an extreme stance to take, and an incorrect one at that, but I understand the non-logic behind it.

There is also the fact that it's very hard to prevent a life God has planned from coming into being... my fourth child is proof of that!

Yep. I've conceived while on birth control as well.

 

[silence_dogood]

Spoken like a true pro-abortion advocate.

Actually I am pro-life, not sure how you got anything about abortion from what I said.

By your making the very same argument that pro-abortion advocates make.

No, I don't think He thinks it's ok to kill anyone... but that isn't what this thread is about.

Actually, it is for two reasons. The first is that many believe that abortion is a form of birth control, the second is that if you're going to make the same argument as abortionists, then you've just introduced abortion, and the third is that she asked about birth control and many forms of birth control are abortifacient by nature.

There is also the fact that it's very hard to prevent a life God has planned from coming into being... my fourth child is proof of that!

Actually, God creates children every day who are killed through abortion.

 

[kfuller2]

Abortifacient birth control, yes. Non-abortifacient birth control, no.



Because abortifacient birth control kills unborn children.



Most adults would put school on hold and go get a job until they can afford to go back to school.



And yet, you have no problem giving your children the message that it's OK to go on welfare?

I guess I should add that my husband also works full time while attending school full time. He takes a few of his courses online. We also get VA benefits from his GI Bill as he is a veteran. This is still not enough to support three young children.

It would cost upwards of $300 per week to put all three kids in child care for me to work also. Right now, family helps while I go to school and my husband and I have alternating school schedules so one of us is usually home with the kids.

That and I breastfeed my baby so I can't be away from her that long.

That being said, I never said it's ok for us to be on welfare but it is there for people like us. We aren't lazy and looking for handouts. We simply cannot survive on what we make a month. So we need help. I do believe I asked folks to be polite.

 

[kfuller2]

Ok so maybe I need to specify that I am talking about brith control pills (NOT the morning after pill), IUDs, the patch, the ring, or the shot. In addition to barrier methods.

I am not talking about anything like an abortion whatsoever. Of course I don't believe that's right. Abortion is murder.

I, too, believe that if God really wants a child to exist, it will regardless of birth control method. I've had two children while on birth control.

I was merely asking to gauge responses. I've always been curious as to what most Christians think. I find it ironic how few Christians actually answered though.

 

[Fenny the Fox]

Ok so maybe I need to specify that I am talking about brith control pills (NOT the morning after pill), IUDs, the patch, the ring, or the shot. In addition to barrier methods.

I am not talking about anything like an abortion whatsoever. Of course I don't believe that's right. Abortion is murder.

I, too, believe that if God really wants a child to exist, it will regardless of birth control method. I've had two children while on birth control.

I was merely asking to gauge responses. I've always been curious as to what most Christians think. I find it ironic how few Christians actually answered though.

I assumed you were referring to birth control pills, so my answer is not changed.

And yeah, sad not many people, let alone the christians on the site, have answered...

 

[Jade Margery]

Try posting in the on the Christian-only boards, you'll get more responses from other Christians there. In fact, if I were you I'd keep both threads moving to see the differences between the Christian answers in both places.

 

[Fenny the Fox]

Try posting in the on the Christian-only boards, you'll get more responses from other Christians there. In fact, if I were you I'd keep both threads moving to see the differences between the Christian answers in both places.

Definitely a good idea there. You should try that, Kfuller.

 

[jayem]

Some birth control, like the morning after pill, is designed to end a life as it begins. I suppose some could take the stance then that taking birth control is akin to murder. I think it's an extreme stance to take, and an incorrect one at that, but I understand the non-logic behind it.

The mechanism of action of emergency contraception differs depending on when in the cycle it's taken. If it's before ovulation has occured, then it appears to inhibit egg release. And it also reduces sperm motility. So in this case, it prevents fertilization. Which would not be an abortion equivalent. If EC is taken after ovulation, it probably does inhibit implantation. Though reduction of sperm motility may lessen the chance of fertilization. In actual practice, it would be nearly impossible to say with certainty how it works in any specific case. Another EC method that's not as widely known is insertion of an IUD within 5 days of unprotected intercourse. This prevents implantation. Which some would consider as tantamount to an abortion.

The ACOG has an web site on EC.

ACOG Education Pamphlet AP114 -- Emergency Contraception

 

[JustMeSee]

Is birth control wrong in God's eyes? Why or why not? Tell me what you believe,have been taught, etc. I'd really like to know.

The reason I ask only of Christians is I know that unbelievers will all say there is nothing wrong with birth control. I don't know of a single nonbeliever that thinks birth control is wrong. So, if I'm wrong about that, please feel free to correct me.

But I'm really looking for why you think God thinks it's wrong.

Example: My husband and I have three children. We are both full time students and have to be on gov't assistance to feed our family. We think it would be foolish at this point and time to conceive yet another child. We want to wait until we get off of assistance and can handle another before we try again. So I have an IUD. Thoughts???

Please be polite. I'm sincerely asking here. Thank you.

I commend you and your husband for continuing your education. Government assistance does not sound like something to be ashamed of in your case. You are not being lazy. In fact, by attending school you are increasing your taxable future income. I strongly disagree with the one other poster.

As far as using birth control, you and your husband are the best judges. It does sound like you have your hands full with kids, work, and school. Having another child right now would likely make things more difficult.

The only advice I have to offer is to educate yourselves on the most ethical and reliable method suited for you.

 

[kfuller2]

Try posting in the on the Christian-only boards, you'll get more responses from other Christians there. In fact, if I were you I'd keep both threads moving to see the differences between the Christian answers in both places.

Being that I am still new here, which board would I be allowed to post this? I was under the impression that I could only post debatable topics here or on one other board open to all (not just Christians). I'd love to post else-where, but am not sure where. Could you help me out?

 

[b&wpac4]

Well, it wasn't addressed to me but I'll give you the Jewish answer:

Barrier methods are considered to be forbidden. This is taken from the Biblical story where Onan let his sperm go to the ground and denied his wife's brother an heir (found in Genesis 38, if you are interested).

Methods such as the pill are acceptable, as they are not blocking the sperm. Also, abortions are also forbidden, except in the case where the mother's life is in danger, and then it is considered forbidden not to have an abortion.

That is the Jewish law answer. My own personal take is that I don't honestly believe God gets into a hissy fit over these things.