Explain why there are different attitudes to contraception in Christianity:
- some churches believe we should adapt to modern society whilst others dont. - some churches take the bible literally whilst others dont - which churches do and dont?? i cant remember.
Some Christians believe that contraception should not be allowed because they believe that it destroys the purpose of sex. Sex is supposed to be the for creation, if you use contraceptive then it will only be pleasure. This degrades the value of sex. To Christians sex is supposed to be the sanctity of marriage.
Another reason why Christian opposes the use of contraception is because it encourages premarital sex as well as promiscuity. Christians believe that you are supposed to only have sex with one person, and that is your marriage partner.
This leads to another point, contraceptive encourages a polygamous relationship. Christians believe that a relationship should be monogamous (between only two individuals). By having contraceptive, people may be encouraged to have relationships with other people (as there is reduced chances of unpremeditated birth.)
The last reason could be because contraception can also encourage extra marital sex (adultery). Since contraceptive reduces the chance of 'being caught' (as no baby will be produced by accident), a lot of people may commit this immoral sin.
Some people allow contraceptive because it can be for the greater good. For example, if a couple do not have enough financial support to raise up a children yet still want to express their love then it may be good to use contraceptive.
Another reason could be because of the lesser of two evils. If your marriage partner has aids or something but you still want to express your love to him/her by making love, it will be best to use contraceptive such as condoms. This can prevent sexually transmitted disease.
Furthermore, sex is meant to deepen one's relationship and contraception opposes this idea. As said before contraception can encourage promiscuity and defies God's purpose of creating man and woman as Christians believe in a monogomous relationship.
I think it was Roman Catholics who don't allow contraceptives (apart from abstention and the Rhythm Method, which were part of God's creation). They go by Humanae Vitae, which says something like 'All marriage acts must remain open to the transmission of life...', because as Tim said, sex is not only for deepening love between a couple but also for procreation. For Catholics, using contraceptives means not using God's gift as God intended...so isn't right.
But some Roman Catholics don't agree - they follow their own conscience to decide whether to use contraceptives or not. Also, the Winnipeg Statement from a group of Catholic Bishops counters some of the content in the Pope's Humanae Vitae. Those who consider using contraceptives may use this as a basis of their decision, because it accepts that not everybody can follow the words of the Catholic church exactly.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg_Statement)
Don't you have to explain the DIFFERENT ATTITUDES?
Yeah, Roman Catholics are totally against any artificial form of contraception. Apart from the Humane Vitae (is it "humane" or "humanae"?), Catholicism also believes in Natural Law, which describes how the purpose of sex is to produce offspring, and not to prevent any offspring from occurring (conception), therefore by going against what is supposed to be "right" and "natural", it destroys the way of life, as well as going against the will of God. --> Which was Tim's point, but using "Natural Law" sounds more impressive :)
Anglicans (Church of England) believe that contraception is acceptable in some cases. For example, contraception limits family size, and it improves the woman's health (to a certain extent). The 1930 Act (I don't know what it's called, sorry!) permits contraception, also because it allows the couple to have sex without worrying about having children - thus bringing closer the bond of marriage. Therefore, Anglicans would permit contraception in some cases, as explained above.
Anglicans (Church of England) agreed at the Lambeth Conference in 1930 that "the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles"
In response to your question is it 'Humane Vitae' or 'Humanae Vitae'...I don't think it matters, but my favourite website Wikipedia says 'Humanae Vitae'.
I don't really want to continue this...but I don't really see how an alternative - not wrong - spelling decreases QoWC at all? :/ It would be like taking off marks for using American spelling, or indeed writing 'Sulphate' instead of 'Sulfate'.
This is a major major major important question. It is in the Matters of Life and Death unit and our class needs to work on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo back to the basics...what is contraception...purpose of it...different types.
Think about Christian attitudes towards conception (that is to conceive a baby) and then link them.
Some Christians believe that contraception should not be allowed because they believe that it destroys the purpose of sex. Sex is supposed to be the for creation, if you use contraceptive then it will only be pleasure. This degrades the value of sex. To Christians sex is supposed to be the sanctity of marriage.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason why Christian opposes the use of contraception is because it encourages premarital sex as well as promiscuity. Christians believe that you are supposed to only have sex with one person, and that is your marriage partner.
This leads to another point, contraceptive encourages a polygamous relationship. Christians believe that a relationship should be monogamous (between only two individuals). By having contraceptive, people may be encouraged to have relationships with other people (as there is reduced chances of unpremeditated birth.)
The last reason could be because contraception can also encourage extra marital sex (adultery). Since contraceptive reduces the chance of 'being caught' (as no baby will be produced by accident), a lot of people may commit this immoral sin.
Some people allow contraceptive because it can be for the greater good. For example, if a couple do not have enough financial support to raise up a children yet still want to express their love then it may be good to use contraceptive.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason could be because of the lesser of two evils. If your marriage partner has aids or something but you still want to express your love to him/her by making love, it will be best to use contraceptive such as condoms. This can prevent sexually transmitted disease.
Furthermore, sex is meant to deepen one's relationship and contraception opposes this idea. As said before contraception can encourage promiscuity and defies God's purpose of creating man and woman as Christians believe in a monogomous relationship.
ReplyDeleteI think it was Roman Catholics who don't allow contraceptives (apart from abstention and the Rhythm Method, which were part of God's creation). They go by Humanae Vitae, which says something like 'All marriage acts must remain open to the transmission of life...', because as Tim said, sex is not only for deepening love between a couple but also for procreation. For Catholics, using contraceptives means not using God's gift as God intended...so isn't right.
ReplyDeleteBut some Roman Catholics don't agree - they follow their own conscience to decide whether to use contraceptives or not. Also, the Winnipeg Statement from a group of Catholic Bishops counters some of the content in the Pope's Humanae Vitae. Those who consider using contraceptives may use this as a basis of their decision, because it accepts that not everybody can follow the words of the Catholic church exactly.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg_Statement)
Don't you have to explain the DIFFERENT ATTITUDES?
ReplyDeleteYeah, Roman Catholics are totally against any artificial form of contraception. Apart from the Humane Vitae (is it "humane" or "humanae"?), Catholicism also believes in Natural Law, which describes how the purpose of sex is to produce offspring, and not to prevent any offspring from occurring (conception), therefore by going against what is supposed to be "right" and "natural", it destroys the way of life, as well as going against the will of God. --> Which was Tim's point, but using "Natural Law" sounds more impressive :)
Anglicans (Church of England) believe that contraception is acceptable in some cases. For example, contraception limits family size, and it improves the woman's health (to a certain extent). The 1930 Act (I don't know what it's called, sorry!) permits contraception, also because it allows the couple to have sex without worrying about having children - thus bringing closer the bond of marriage. Therefore, Anglicans would permit contraception in some cases, as explained above.
Oh ... I've found it
ReplyDeleteAnglicans (Church of England) agreed at the Lambeth Conference in 1930 that "the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/contraception_1.shtml
In response to your question is it 'Humane Vitae' or 'Humanae Vitae'...I don't think it matters, but my favourite website Wikipedia says 'Humanae Vitae'.
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shouldn't we follow the "Religion and Life" textbook though? Since it's' written by the examiner ...
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Maybe. But I don't think anybody would be cruel enough to take away marks just because they prefer one spelling over another...
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yet QoWC is very important in (c) part questions ...
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I don't really want to continue this...but I don't really see how an alternative - not wrong - spelling decreases QoWC at all? :/ It would be like taking off marks for using American spelling, or indeed writing 'Sulphate' instead of 'Sulfate'.
ReplyDeleteOhh...I've forgotten the smiley.
ReplyDelete:)