RE: contraception

From: Ramez Naam (mez@apexnano.com)
Date: Thu Feb 20 2003 - 15:09:45 MST

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    From: Damien Broderick [mailto:thespike@earthlink.net]
    > Mez sez:
    >
    > > I would note that the Bible clearly states the immorality of
    > > contraception.
    >
    > Really? Where? You're not thinking of Onan's coitus
    > interruptus, are you? That was a sin only because he was
    > thereby wickedly failing to impregnate his older brother's
    > widow.

    Interesting! I am indeed referring to Onan "spilling his seed". I
    haven't heard that interpretation before, though it makes a certain
    kind of sense.

    That having been said, until 1930 all major branches of Christianity
    considered contraception a sin. Nowadays, Protestant churches don't
    consider it a sin, but Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches do.

    Even if we limit our discussion to just Catholics, you'd expect to see
    much lower rates of birth control use in the US than we actually
    observe, if you based your prediction purely on people's religious
    preference and the doctrine of that religion.

    cheers,
    mez



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