# Anti-abortionists, are you also against the use of contraception? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 1, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474 "2011-07-01T03:46:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/21 "2011-07-01T19:01:51Z")
I am pro-choice, but I have also read a lot of pro-life literature. Most of them do support methods that prevent conception, including the morning-after pill in cases of rape. What they don’t support is methods that preent implatation of the already conceived “person.” ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/22 "2011-07-01T19:11:24Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I am pro-choice, but I have also read a lot of pro-life literature. Most of them do support methods that prevent conception, including the morning-after pill in cases of rape. What they don’t support is methods that preent implatation of the already conceived “person.” The Morning After pill can inhibit implantation (one of the ways it can work). ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/23 "2011-07-01T19:32:59Z")
I’m not against non-abortive BC, though am unsure, and a bit put off, by using abortion for when BC fails. If a child manages to get by the BC barriers I feel they should be awarded life for the effort alone. I also feel it is a child that really is meant to be, and though the child’s life could still be ended by abortion once BC dose fail, the result of that would be far worse then having the child. Most of this based on my belief that God is ultimately in control, He tried very hard to give us good things and blessings, such as a child despite BC, but if we are that resistant He will take His blessings elsewhere and wait for us to come around. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/24 "2011-07-01T19:45:24Z")
> [@Penderel](#): > > Ok, I’m guilty of over-simplification. I didn’t mean to imply that sex is forbidden if you’re not _trying_ to have a baby, but that sex while explicitly trying _not_ to procreate is against Catholic doctrine (and again, this leaves out the rhythm method). > > “Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.” Catechism, 2351 I thought that procreation had to be a possibility, and that old people get to have sex because a miracle might happen. 😛 Many animals go into head and the females are only interested in sex when procreation is possible. Why didn’t God make us that way if he cared? No free will argument, since a human female in “heat” still could choose not to have sex. ETA: My question comes from the experience of having a Guide Dog breeder, so I know all about bitches in heat. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2011, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/25 "2011-07-03T02:58:27Z")
One way to rephrase the question is to ask, “do you support the _widespread use_ of contraceptives in order to reduce the rate os accidental pregnancy and out-of-wedlock birth?” Now bear in mind few people would support _forced_ contraceptive use, or anything else. But seeing to it that we maximize the ratio of protected-sex to unprotected-sex requires everyone getting with the program. And like it or not, Planned Parenthood is a well-established part of the program. There’s always going to be disagreement on abortion, but don’t make the perfect the enemy of the good by undermining efforts to promote contraceptive use just to spite any association with abortion. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/26 "2011-07-03T19:32:00Z")
Another, “not very good Catholic,” here. I am pro-life, but have no problem with birth control as long as it only prevents fertilization. I think the Catholic church’s, artificial birth control is wrong, but natural family planning (formerly known as the rhythm method) is OK, is stupid and ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/27 "2011-07-03T22:03:21Z")
> [@](#): > > I thought that procreation had to be a possibility, and that old people get to have sex because a miracle might happen. I’ve never been a big fan of the “a miracle might happen” argument, because once you’re opening up the possibility of miracles, then everything’s on the table. You might as well say that a gay man might miraculously become pregnant. Much more relevant, I think, is how the folks involved would react to such a miracle, were it to occur. There are plenty of gay couples, for instance, who would be overjoyed (though probably extremely surprised) to have a child. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/28 "2011-07-05T12:52:36Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Provided it goes into effect before conception no because while fetuses are human life eggs and sperm are not. There is human life in the sperm which is passed on to the ova and will become a person if all goes well.(If the sperm is not alive there will be no conception! the fertilised egg contains human life but is not yet a human being, just like a fertile chicken egg is not called a chicken etc.. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/29 "2011-07-05T12:57:42Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > If a child manages to get by the BC barriers I feel they should be awarded life for the effort alone. I get it - if Sperm-Child is able to surmount the condom barrier, it is awarded Life for its fabulous effort. It’s just like when the hangman’s knot breaks or the electric chair short-circuits, the condemned get another chance. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/30 "2011-07-05T13:03:36Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Depends on the method of contraception. > > Barrier methods should be fine. > > The issue for pro-life people is that life begins at the moment of conception. If there is a barrier that physically prevents conception then there is no issue (unless it is a religious, sex is only for procreation thing but I never hear anyone making that case in the US these days). > > The Pill works on a few levels. However, while it makes conception less likely it is still possible. It then works by preventing implantation. Essentially the woman spontaneously aborts (although she will never know that is the case and indeed a large percentage of woman who want to get pregnant will “self-abort” in this fashion and the woman will just try again not knowing that was the case). Since one can never know whether conception was prevented or if conception occurred but implantation failed a pro-lifer has to argue against the Pill as it is possible an abortion will occur. > > If someone is pro-life and wants to be consistent with their claimed views they have to be opposed to birth control such as the Pill (or IUD). > > Condoms should be fine though. If the condom breaks and the woman gets pregnant then she has the baby (in a pro-life view). Diaphragm should be fine too. Not all sexual acts end in conception so the morning after Pill should be availible to all women of child bearing years; the one’s who are not able to carry a child or have more children than they can care for to adulthood. If a person’s beliefs do not allow the pill that is their right, but it is just a religious thing and religion in this country is a personal thing and there are many religions who disagree about the pill. There is freedom of, and from, religion in this country, and no religion should force their beliefs on another. To have children and then abuse them or see them starve (as in some 3d world countries) is no better than abortion. Preventing conception in the first place is the best way to stop, or lessen the number of abortions. One has to be more than just pro-birth, the child once it is born needs a lot of care until it reaches adulthood! ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/31 "2011-07-08T18:44:06Z")
> [@](#): > > natural family planning (formerly known as the rhythm method) Natural family planning isn’t the same as the rhythm method. The rhythm method assumed that all women are fertile on the same days every month. NFP or the Fertility Awareness Method use observable physical signs to predict ovulation. It’s used both to prevent and to achieve pregnancy. If you’re looking to get knocked up, it’s helpful to know exactly when you’re going to ovulate. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/32 "2011-07-09T01:50:04Z")
Yeah, I know there’s a difference. Rather than try to explain why I said, “Formerly known as,” I’ll just retract my statement. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/33 "2011-07-09T02:10:36Z")
While as a Catholic I have moral/religious reservations to all forms of artificial contraception, those reservations do not extend to making them illegal or anything like that, save from those who are also abortifacent. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/34 "2011-07-09T02:34:19Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > One way to rephrase the question is to ask, “do you support the _widespread use_ of contraceptives in order to reduce the rate os accidental pregnancy and out-of-wedlock birth?” Sure. My desire is for their to be far fewer abortions, not necessarily for there to be more babies; if fewer are conceived fewer will be aborted which is fine. Since it doesn’t look like we’re going to convince anyone much to abstain, widespread use of birth control is a very good tool to achieve that end. However, as **Annie-Xmas** said, I’m one of those who is not as comfortable with methods that prevent implantation rather than prevent conception. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/35 "2011-07-09T08:40:56Z")
A question I can never seem to get “pro-life” people to address is regarding adoption. I see people mention adoption as if it’s simple, and never address the issue of the 100,000 or so unwanted children who are already in this country at any given time. So many “pro-lifers” spread the misinformation that there are families ready to take in all the unwanted babies as soon as they’re born, and that isn’t true at all. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against adoption, but I am realistic and understand that from the very beginning, adoption is an attempt to make the best of a bad situation, and it’s never simple or easy for anyone involved. You don’t do anyone a favor by misrepresenting that. That’s one of my biggest issues with “crisis” pregnancy centers, a lack of accurate information about the options. I hear your side criticize Planned Parenthood, insinuating that they try to talk everyone into abortion, when nothing could be further from the truth. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/36 "2011-07-09T12:40:52Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Provided it goes into effect before conception no because while fetuses are human life eggs and sperm are not. If the sperm doesn’t contain human life no conception can take place, The sperm must be alive. That life is human life!! ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/37 "2011-07-09T12:52:35Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Catholic doctrine does not believe sex is exclusively for reproduction. > > Catholic doctrine is totally fine with sex not meant for procreation between a husband and a wife (they are not so cool with pre-marital sex). Talk to a priest. Willing to bet they will encourage sex with your spouse as part of a healthy relationship and not solely to produce babies. Of course, once they have 10 or 12 children they can’t support such as takes place in third world countries and like in Haiti where there is so much poverty, that is when they start worring about the poor, instead of teaching responsible parenthood. If birth control is a sin it is a bigger sin to have children that one can’t take care of, finiancially, emotionally, or physically, and in some cases( i know of) abuse the children out of frustration, and doesn’t make for a healthy sex life for either parent. The worst kind of unnatural birth control is the RCC’s expecting a healthy sex life for the parteners when they have to take their temp. etc. It is not natural! The RCC allows unnatural life supports and heart transplants etc. or keeping a comatose person on a machine and making the survivers go into poverty in many cases just to keep some one on artificial means, even in some cases against the will of the patient. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/38 "2011-07-09T13:50:53Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > A question I can never seem to get “pro-life” people to address is regarding adoption. I see people mention adoption as if it’s simple, and never address the issue of the 100,000 or so unwanted children who are already in this country at any given time. So many “pro-lifers” spread the misinformation that there are families ready to take in all the unwanted babies as soon as they’re born, and that isn’t true at all. > > Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against adoption, but I am realistic and understand that from the very beginning, adoption is an attempt to make the best of a bad situation, and it’s never simple or easy for anyone involved. You don’t do anyone a favor by misrepresenting that. That’s one of my biggest issues with “crisis” pregnancy centers, a lack of accurate information about the options. I hear your side criticize Planned Parenthood, insinuating that they try to talk everyone into abortion, when nothing could be further from the truth. One thing I have against the anti-abortion crowd is their idea that adoption is some type of wonderful la-la land where no one gets hurt. That no woman ever suffers from carrying a child for nine months and then turning it over to strangers like a sack of laundry, and that no adopted child is ever mistreated, abused or killed. Some guy on the radio actually said that, if Casey Anthony were given up for adoption, she’d be alive today. Yeah, right, like Lisa Steinberg. The downside of adoption should always be brought out when a pregnant woman is considering it. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/39 "2011-07-09T17:32:14Z")
> [@](#): > > The worst kind of unnatural birth control is the RCC’s expecting a healthy sex life for the parteners when they have to take their temp. etc. It is not natural! The RCC allows unnatural life supports and heart transplants etc. or keeping a comatose person on a machine and making the survivers go into poverty in many cases just to keep some one on artificial means, even in some cases against the will of the patient. I, for one, see no philosophical distinction whatsoever between “natural family planning” and any other method of birth control. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474/40 "2011-07-09T19:15:12Z")
When it comes right down to it, it’s an individual’s decision to make, and no one else’s. The individual alone knows if they should be having a child now or not. The individual alone knows whether or not they are likely to be a good parent. The individual alone knows whether their psyche can withstand surrendering a child to adoption without becoming a crackhead to forget. These issues, abortion, choice, contraception are for individuals to decide for themselves. It’s their lives that will be irreparably altered, they bodies put at risk, their pocket support for any child will come from. We could, as a nation, resolve all our differences over these issues if we could only agree that it’s an individual’s choice to do what’s right for them (within the law, of course!). Their decisions do not impact you, as long as you are still free to choose as you wish. When it’s your choice to make do you want to do, what you believe is right, or have someone else dictate what you should do? No one is making you have an abortion if you don’t want one, or use contraception if you don’t wish to, or have a gay marriage. Persons who choose so are not impacting you in any fashion, so how about we all just mind our own business and let the next guy mind his? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortionists-are-you-also-against-the-use-of-contraception/587474.md?page=3)