Is birth control a sin?

[Guest]

I heard an analogy once comparing the use of contraceptives with the Roman use of the vomitorium. Seriously.

The Romans used to have huuuuuge feasts, and after some courses, they'd take a turn at the vomitorium to make room for the next course. Ew. Was it sinful? I think the argument can be made that taking anything in life just for pleasure, apart from its intended use, is sin. Clearly the vomitorium is an example of gluttony, which is the abuse of the pleasures of food. Food is for nutrition, and enjoyment of it goes hand in glove with it. But take away the nutritive side of it, and you're left with doing it just for the pleasure. Can that be right?

Of course, what then would this say for things like soft drinks? Clearly no nutrition, but do I drink them...?

So, back to birth control. God designed the "act of marriage" as the means for reproduction. Is it really okay for us to second-guess him about that? Aren't we taking something God put together for us and just taking the part we want of it?

I'm not saying there's a positive case from scripture that contraception is sinful, but there's certainly no case for it being 100% okay. It's an issue that's not even contemplated by most Christians today, and it needs to be brought up.

I wish someone had brought it up with me. My wife and I used the Pill for a couple of years and had a few pregnancy "scares". I'm horrified by the thought that we may have lost a child during that time. We now have one boy (5 years old) and I pray we have as many as God sends us.

Romans 14:23c "...whatever is not from faith is sin."

[Guest]

Welcome to the forum, Seth.

So, back to birth control. God designed the "act of marriage" as the means for reproduction. Is it really okay for us to second-guess him about that? Aren't we taking something God put together for us and just taking the part we want of it?

This argument would work if the only purpose of sex was reproduction. However, it is also pleasurable, allows couples another vehicle to meet each other's needs and builds intimacy. Second-guessing God's design would be to use sex outside all of its purposes not just one. Ironically, using sex only for reproduction would be to take only the part we want.

Should couples who are unable to have children not have sex since they cannot get pregnant by it? What about couples past the ages of fertility?

[Guest]

How about the couple make a choice together?
I think its absurd to think birth control is sinful.
The catholic church believes that way and funny
the pope has never been married or have to support a "quiver full"

[Guest]

Hey! No more kissing the grandkids on the cheek; lips are made for talking and eating!

[Guest]

God designed the "act of marriage" as the means for reproduction. Is it really okay for us to second-guess him about that? Aren't we taking something God put together for us and just taking the part we want of it?

Hmmmm.... let's see. If we enter into the "act of marriage" for no purpose other than reproduction, we should limit the number of acts to whatever it takes to ensure pregnancy, and then abstain until after the birth of the child. Of course there would be complete abstinence after our wife experienced menopause. Hmmmmm... I wonder why God designed men to need it at least every two or three days.

[Guest]

Realize I never said the only purpose of sex is reproduction. I would submit that removing *any* of the purposes of it could be sin. Not "would", but "could." I mean, if it's only for reproduction, there's no need for the woman to even enjoy it...definitely not arguing that.

The "kissing grandkids" was a whopper since we're adjured to "greet one another with a holy kiss". But it'd be hard to pin down the Biblical use of the lips. The nethers are another issue since there's such broad treatment of their use in the Law.

Infertile couples don't consciously try not to reproduce, so that doesn't even enter the picture. They're not taking steps to stop anything "unwanted" from happening.

Turning it around, what's the best argument *for* birth control? Biblically, that is. Frankly I'm curious...not sure there's much there.

[Guest]

hi seth-- i dont think you'll find a case for BC directly in the the bible; however some may be able to support the idea using collateral passages.

i believe the only actual attempt at BC in the bible resulted in death to the guy attempting it-- i remember the story of Onan, whose brother died and he had a duty to marry and bear children with the brothers widow; instead, he "spilled his seed on the ground" because he didnt want to give her children. God struck him dead for this. (Gen. 38:8-10)

i understand that he was directly disobeying one of God's commands so it is distinguishable from most cases of BC. but i think, in general, as far as we can tell, that BC was an unknown or unavailed option in the Bible.

TK

[Guest]

The "kissing grandkids" was a whopper since we're adjured to "greet one another with a holy kiss".

If you think about it I do not believe you will conclude we are commanded to greet one another with a kiss. Why would Paul tell them this? A kiss was the normal greeting for the oriental and still is today. IMHO the concern Paul had was that the kiss be holy, i.e. not lustful or improper in any way.

I noticed a man who hugged women when he greeted them. His hugs seemed to be a bit too enthusiastic, chest to chest. Today he is in prison for rape. Today Paul might tell us "if you greet with a hug, let it be holy."

[Guest]

Turning it around, what's the best argument *for* birth control? Biblically, that is. Frankly I'm curious...not sure there's much there.

See my post in this thread from 04/19 for general principles my wife and I use.
As its been said by others, I don't think a conclusive case can be made in either direction and we must be careful to allow for the conscience of the couple.

[Guest]

Greeting each other with a "kiss" on cheek is normal for men in
middle eastern countries, though they never do that with a woman.
Men also hold hands!