Religious views on birth control

The use of condoms and other contraceptives are not to encourage sexual promiscuity, but to allow parents to determine the size of their families. However, different religious groups have diverse views on the subject. Islam The Islamic religion supports and encourages the use of artificial means of birth control. “There are a number of ‘hadith’ in the sacred book which indicates that the Prophet Mohamed knew of birth control and approved of it in appropriate circumstances,” said Imam Ishmael Munyandekwe of Gatsata. Munyandekwe added that, the Muslim sexual ethics forbid sex outside marriage, so its teachings about birth control should be understood within the context of husband and wife. According to the Muslim faith, it is prohibited to take any measure, which would permanently prevent pregnancy, or cause infertility. It is permissible, however, to use temporary birth control methods to delay pregnancy; as in the case of mothers delaying pregnancy for two years while they are breastfeeding their children. Parenting demands adequate care and attention on the part of parents; without these, children will simply become a burden. Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church sanctions only abstinence and the Natural Family Planning method as suitable techniques for birth control. One Catholic priest, who preferred anonymity, confirmed this and added that, the recent pope’s message on the use of condoms was misinterpreted. “Pope Benedict indicates no change in our Church teachings but refers to a renewed call for chastity and abstinence as the most effective means of fighting the spread of AIDS,” the priest said. “His statements were maliciously misinterpreted by some people and groups. The Holy Father never said that it is okay to use condoms. He had emphasized that condom use is not a moral solution: The pope said that, ‘Condoms are neither the effective way nor the moral way to stop the spread of AIDS’ and the Catholic Church does not regard it as a real or moral solution,” the Catholic priest said. He added that, “We cannot solve the problem by distributing condoms.” However, he expressed the hope for the conversion of a sinner by suggesting that the use of a condom MIGHT be an expression of his concern for another person. “This might be seen therefore as a first step towards loving and respecting others so that they can eventually embrace a life of either fidelity or abstinence—the only approaches which have truly proven to be successful,” he said. The cleric asserted that the Catholic Church still maintained that condoms and other artificial contraceptives remained unacceptable as birth control methods. martin.bishop18@yahoo.com