Contraception and the orthodox church are two issues that are not entirely incompatible. Contraception is always considered seriously evil, and the Church has never endorsed any form of it. Contraception is an act of self-destruction, and Catholics do not condone abortion. The teaching of the Church on contraception has remained unchanged and was peacefully possessed by other Christians before the Protestant Reformation. Contraception is the opposite of a Christian virtue, abstinence, and natural family planning are both acceptable forms of birth control, according to the Orthodox Church.
Table of Contents
- Castration is a form of contraception
- Abstinence is a Christian virtue
- Natural family planning is acceptable form of birth control for Catholics
- Sterilization is a form of contraception
- Artificial birth control is a threat to humanity
- Abortion is a form of contraception
- Having many children is a Christian virtue
Castration is a form of contraception
While St. John condemns castration, it is not strictly prohibited in the Orthodox Church. While it is not a common form of contraception, it has been widely used in modern population control. Today, the most common method of contraception is sterilization. Sterilization is used in over 30% of contraceptives, and 8% of them involve male sterlization. In the earliest church writings, St. John was defending the faith against the Gnostics, who practiced castration to control their population. Nevertheless, a number of Fathers and canons condemned self-castration.
Abstinence is a Christian virtue
The Catholic Church holds that abstinence from sexual activity is a Christian virtue. However, this virtue is not defined as being used to prevent conception. Married couples can practice periodic abstinence, but unmarried individuals should avoid engaging in sexual intercourse in any way. Contraception aids immoral behavior, aggravates the sin of fornication, and is unfair to the unwanted child.
Natural family planning is acceptable form of birth control for Catholics
The Humanae Vitae encyclical of Pope Paul VI lays out the Catholic view on birth control. According to the Catholic Church, contraception is against the natural law of procreation, and the purpose of sexual intercourse is to create children. The purpose of sexual intercourse is to produce children, and the pleasure gained from it is a by-product of procreation. The purpose of marriage is to promote a strong and loving relationship between a husband and wife, which is the ideal environment for raising children.
Sterilization is a form of contraception
Despite the widespread belief that sterilisation is a form of contraception, the orthodox church continues to oppose its practice. The prohibition of abortion dates back to the early church and is still practiced by some Orthodox teachers today. The early Church Fathers condemned all forms of contraception, including the use of artificial contraception. Today, however, many Orthodox clergy have reversed their positions, allowing married couples to use contraception in a peaceful way.
Artificial birth control is a threat to humanity
The Catholic Church teaches that Artificial Birth Control is an unacceptable practice and is a threat to human life, morality, and marriage. Contraception has been criticized as morally wrong for centuries, but some methods of birth control do not prevent the implantation of fertilised eggs. This equates to abortion. Proponents of contraception say that artificial birth control may encourage promiscuity and the practice of abortion.
Abortion is a form of contraception
The Orthodox Church teaches that abortion is not a form of contraception, and condemns all artificial methods of contraception, including IUDs, the “morning after pill,” and other “emergency contraceptives.” It also says that the hormonal contraceptive known as the “Pill” can cause the uterine wall to become hostile to the implantation of a viable embryo.
Having many children is a Christian virtue
One of the most common misunderstandings about having many children is that it’s a requirement to be virtuous. While that’s partially true, many of the most revered saints of the Christian tradition did not have children at all. However, having children does enable virtuous parents to emulate the daily and arduous labors of the saints by raising their own children and providing for their needs. A parent can also exhibit heroic virtue by taking care of a disabled child, thus establishing a friendship of virtue.
