Changes

'''Contraception''' (or '''birth control''') refers to techniques, drugs, or devices that prevent [[pregnancy|conception]]. There are many different [[Methods of contraception|methods]], each having its own level of effectiveness and safety. [[Abstinence]] during fertile times can take the place of artificial form of birth control. <ref> "When a couple for serious reasons abstain from intercourse at times at which they might conceive, their abstaining is itself chosen sexual behaviour, and virtuous sexual behaviour because it is expressive of a recognition of the demands of the procreative good." [http://www.linacre.org/contra.html] </ref>

'''Contraception''' (or '''birth control''') refers to techniques, [[drug]]s, or devices that prevent [[pregnancy|conception]]. There are many different [[Methods of contraception|methods]], each having its own level of effectiveness and safety. [[Abstinence]] during fertile times can take the place of artificial form of birth control. <ref> "When a couple for serious reasons abstain from intercourse at times at which they might conceive, their abstaining is itself chosen sexual behaviour, and virtuous sexual behaviour because it is expressive of a recognition of the demands of the procreative good." [http://www.linacre.org/contra.html Linacre.org] </ref>

The availability of contraception is often cited as one of the enabling conditions for [[feminism]] and the [[sexual revolution]].

The availability of contraception is often cited as one of the enabling conditions for [[feminism]] and the [[sexual revolution]].

==Catholic teachings on contraception==

==Catholic teachings on contraception==

The Roman Catholic church prohibits the use of artificial contraceptives such as pills or barriers to Catholics, though it supports natural methods of avoiding conception based on timing. The policy on contraception is given in the [[Humanae Vitae]].

The [[Roman Catholic church]] prohibits the use of artificial contraceptives such as pills or barriers to Catholics, though it supports natural methods of avoiding conception based on timing. The policy on contraception is given in the [[Humanae Vitae]].

*The Church does not teach that in engaging in intercourse one has to be acting with a view to procreating, an objective one could realistically have in mind only when one was fertile. What she teaches is that sexual intercourse will not make for an authentic unity of two-in-one-flesh if those engaging in it set out to negate its built-in significance as generative/procreative behavior. <ref>[http://www.linacre.org/contra.html Linacre.org]</ref>

*The Church does not teach that in engaging in intercourse one has to be acting with a view to procreating, an objective one could realistically have in mind only when one was fertile. What she teaches is that sexual intercourse will not make for an authentic unity of two-in-one-flesh if those engaging in it set out to negate its built-in significance as generative/procreative behavior. <ref>[http://www.linacre.org/contra.html Linacre.org]</ref>

==Anglican teachings on contraception==

==Anglican teachings on contraception==

The Anglican church regards sexual love as an essential way for a husband and wife to express and strengthen their mutual love, citing Genesis 2:18 'It is not good that the man (Adam) should be alone' in support of this. At the [[Lambeth Conference]] of 1930 a resolution was passed stating: ''Where there is a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, complete abstinence is the primary and obvious method.'' It continued by saying that if there was morally sound reasoning for avoiding abstinence, ''the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles.''

The [[Anglican Church]] regards sexual love as an essential way for a husband and wife to express and strengthen their mutual love, citing Genesis 2:18 'It is not good that the man (Adam) should be alone' in support of this. At the [[Lambeth Conference]] of 1930 a resolution was passed stating: ''Where there is a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, complete abstinence is the primary and obvious method.'' It continued by saying that if there was morally sound reasoning for avoiding abstinence, ''the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of Christian principles.''

However, by the Lambeth Conference of 1958, contraceptive use among most Anglicans was widespread and a resolution that year stated that the responsibility for deciding upon the number and frequency of children was laid by God upon the consciences of parents ''in such ways as are acceptable to husband and wife''. <ref> [http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/smte.html#contraception Science, Medicine, Technology &amp; Environment | Church of England] </ref>

However, by the Lambeth Conference of 1958, contraceptive use among most Anglicans was widespread and a resolution that year stated that the responsibility for deciding upon the number and frequency of children was laid by God upon the consciences of parents ''in such ways as are acceptable to husband and wife''. <ref> [http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/smte.html#contraception Science, Medicine, Technology &amp; Environment | Church of England] </ref>