Pro-Life Perspectives on Birth Control and Contraception

As someone with pro-life views, my stance on birth control and contraceptives is nuanced. I believe that, with the numerous options available today, there is essentially no excuse for an unwanted pregnancy.

Great for Preventing Conception

From my perspective, most forms of birth control are fantastic because they significantly reduce the chances of conception. This alone is a strong argument for their use, as it greatly decreases the likelihood of unwanted pregnancies and, consequently, abortions.

Conception and After

The primary issue I have is that I am against ending a life after conception. While some forms of contraception may allow conception but prevent implantation, the vast majority of methods do not.

When sex is consensually engaged in between two married people, it is meant to be a sacred act—participating in the process of God's creation. Contraception and birth control, by blocking this natural process, turn what should be a holy act into something merely for pleasure without the responsibility of taking care of the resulting life. This, however, is how life truly functions: one cannot have the pleasure of creating life without assuming the responsibility of taking care of it.

Acceptance Among Pro-Life Individuals

Those I know who identify as pro-life are generally accepting of various forms of contraception. For instance, some may have reservations about hormonal birth control like the pill due to concerns about whether it might prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg. However, the majority of pro-life individuals I know are perfectly fine with barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragms, sponges, and sterilization methods. In fact, I know one individual who chose to have her tubes tied after deciding her family was complete, which reflects a responsible and pro-life approach to family planning.

Pros and Cons of Birth Control

Birth control is a viable and necessary option, allowing individuals to decide whether or not to have children. It is acceptable as long as it does not result in the killing of another human being, which is a sadly common reality in many regions. The hope is that future advances in reproductive technology will ensure safer and more effective methods, allowing for the separation of conception and carrying a pregnancy to term in cases where it is detrimental to the mother’s health, both physically and emotionally.

My views are not influenced by any religious teachings, as I do not adhere to any particular religion. However, for those who do, the teachings and interpretations within their faith can significantly impact their perspective on birth control.

Ultimately, the goal should be reproductive freedom, ensuring that individuals have the control to choose whether or not they want to reproduce, while simultaneously respecting the sanctity of human life from conception onwards.