I have a friend who strongly disagrees with birth control. His main argument against using it is to say that when couples (married couples of course) do use birth control they’re putting themselves before God. They desire the pleasure but want to somehow stand in the way of what may result from it. He says that they’re selfish. I go back and forth on the birth control thing, but I’m not entirely convinced of this line of argument. Someone asked him if couples who continued to have sex for pleasure once the wife was pregnant were being selfish as well (since obviously the wife cannot get pregnant again), and he said ‘no.’ Seems a bit inconsistent to me. What do you think?
B”H
I am tempted to ask if bungy-jumping is sinful, but will try to resist it. Sorry, failed again :)
By: John Lyons on July 11, 2008
at 1:33 am
John: I don’t know… Jesus seemed to think so (Mat. 4:6-7). ;)
By: Nick Norelli on July 11, 2008
at 1:40 am
I also can’t figure out why the ‘rhythm method’ is ok for Catholics. The point still seems to be the same as contraception – prevent pregnancy. I can’t remember the explanations for that I have heard, so none must have been convincing.
I haven’t heard the ’selfish’ aspect. I usually hear (mostly from evangelicals or fundamentalists) say it is trying to control God. In that case, it would seem any decision not to have sex could be seen as an attempt to control God. And would my looking both ways before crossing the street be an attempt to control God?
Over the top examples, I know.
By: Will on July 11, 2008
at 3:37 am
The birth control subject is a touchy one. Many of the arguments I’ve heard from people for using birth control is to prevent conception at the present time, so they can achieve this goal, wait to have kids until they earn more money, etc. I’ve heard sermons indicating some forms of birth control are a form of stewardship (i.e. have only as many kids as you can afford). On the other side of the argument you have people who view children as a blessing and they’re going to have as many children as God blesses them with. This group is sometimes known as the “quiverfull movement”. Personally, I have 5 children, so I’ll let you guess which way I lean on this issue. : ) Mark Driscoll preached a great sermon about birth control. My only critique on this sermon is that he gave mostly negative examples of the home schooling, quiverfull crowd. Otherwise, I thought it was a thorough treatment of the issues. Here are a few interesting books related to birth control, quiverfull movement, etc.:
Be Fruitful & Multiply – Nancy Campbell
A Full Quiver – Rick & Jan Hess
Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions
By: Shaun Tabatt on July 11, 2008
at 7:42 am
Will: Ha! I’ve used the ‘controlling God’ argument! ;) I don’t think using birth control is sinful but I don’t think that I’d ever use it (Lord knows I didn’t before I was saved!)
Shaun: Five kids!!! May God have mercy on you! ;) Thanks for the links and info.
By: Nick Norelli on July 11, 2008
at 8:53 am
Nick, I don’t either, I say add a little spanking while you are at it – hahaha!
The argument seems a bit too much. I mean it’s always funny to hear the argument that pleasure is somehow not from God. Yet we are God’s creation and as best as I can tell we were designed to feel, and I would hope enjoy pleasure.
I get great pleasure from a well made apple pie, or a great tasting pizza. I don’t indulge, and I am not obese either. But that doesn’t stop me for eating something that may not have any health benefit for me either.
By: Robert on July 11, 2008
at 11:15 am
I was listening to a lecture yesterday by Lauren Winner on her book Real Sex and she mentioned this book that is related to this subject of contraception by Amy Laura Hall called “Conceiving Parenthood: American Protestantism and the Spirit of Reproduction”
I plan on getting as it sounded interesting to me.
By: Bryan L on July 11, 2008
at 11:21 am
Robert: When it comes to pizza, I do indulge, in fact I indulge way too much! BTW, have you ever had pizza on the East coast (particularly NJ/NY)? If not then you haven’t had pizza!
Bryan: Let me know what you think when you get it.
By: Nick Norelli on July 11, 2008
at 12:29 pm