SoulPancake / Conversations / Why do some people feel contraception is morally questionable?

ahimsa16

- 3 years ago

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Why do some people feel contraception is morally questionable?

I'm working on a paper for a philosophy class and I'm trying to explore this question from various angles. If there are folks out there who feel that contraception is morally wrong, just as many people feel abortion is morally wrong, I would love to hear from you. I do not hold the belief that contraception is wrong, but I do think an argument could be made to support such a claim. This is what I would like to explore with other soulpancakers! Let's keep it clean though. xoxo

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They do? I would like to know the answer to that myself. Maybe just because it's "not God's way"? and not natural. Haha, I definitely think that's BS, though. But, they're entitled to their opinions.....

For me is simple, have as many kids as you can love, and support. Then use contraception to have as much sex as you can with the person you love.

Well - Spirit says there are no accidents. Add into that freewill. Humanity will want to not generate new life out of desire. So, since whenever, contraception has been developed to deter pregnancies - way back when. It is not morally questionable to a person in that manner of lifestyle.

Because it destroys the ingredients from which life is created (or a potential life is destroyed), and with some methods, it's impossible to know if this occurs before or after fertilization and a life has actually been created. The problem with this argument, from a philosophical/logical point of view, is that it rests in the realm of unknowable potentialities; we cannot base a moral judgement solely on what might have happened; only on what actually happened. That being said... Moral principles are universal The application of them, however, is most certainly not. This is where philosophy fails us, imo. Each moral principle will contradict itself once applied in the 'real' world. The intersection of moral (theoretical) judgement and literal judgement (action), is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. And guess what? Theoretical morality must always lose its puritanical idealism. That's just how it is.

because it implies people are having, gasp!, sex.

although i could give 1,000,000 reasons why i believe in contraception i will only give two. michelle druggar and nadya suleman. that's reason enough to strongly support contraception.

Many people who are opposed to abortion, are similarly opposed to contraception---not all, but a good number. I finished reading two publications which sparked the topic of my paper. Here's a very brief summary: 1st essay (Don Marquis, "Why Abortion is Immoral") - claims that abortion is wrong because is takes away from the fetus/child, the potential for a future like ours. The child, he argues, loses the potential enjoyment, friendships, experiences, activities, etc. and THAT is at the core of WHY abortion is wrong. He also claims that the use of contraception is not morally questionable because it doesn't take away anything. 2nd essay (Alastair Norcross, "Killing, Abortion, and Contraception") -- Norcross says that anyone who follows Marquis's reasoning would also have to conclude that, in fact, contraception IS just as wrong as abortion. He then concludes that since, in his opinion, to think that way is "absurd", he calls Marquis's argument a "reductio ad absurdum". ME--- I think it is presumptuous for Marquis to assume contraception is a non-issue, AND I think it's wrong for Norcross to assume that people who consider contraception on par with abortion/killing is absurd. ** For the purpose of this paper, I'm playing Devil's Advocate a bit! I am pro-choice, but I feel that there are people out there who can probably make a solid claim that contraception poses moral problems. I'm not concerned with opinions here---I'm concerned with lines of reasoning. You can think pro-lifers are crazy, but if you can't logically, open-mindedly and systematically address their arguments---I'm not interested in what you have to say. It's about understanding people's approaches and reasoning---not about converting people. That's why these forums get so "hot"---people like to talk over everyone else and not listen. It's not always about agreeing with your opposition. rant off.

I come from a conservative community. When my friend got engaged, she had to take a stand with her mom and say that she was going to use contraceptives until she was ready to have a child. My parents, on the other hand, EXPECT me to use contraceptives (wisely). This strange chasm between extremely conservative views on contraceptives and moderate ones in my community originate from our belief that families are central to having a good relationship to God, our spouse, and society. Some people believe that if you do anything to keep from having as many children as God intended you to have, then you are not being good stewards of gift of procreation. I would say that if you have children that you can't take care of, you're not a good steward of the gift of procreation. I believe that there is abundant evidence for these different viewpoints, but I hope that somewhat answers your question. I see in the comments that you are focusing on the idea of killing and the moral question of contraceptive right and wrong, and the people I know who are against the use of contraceptives align prevention with (spiritual) murder. I hope this makes sense/helps!

I guess if you assume sex should only be done as a means of procreation you could easily make an argument that contraception is morally questionable.

What I'm examining and writing this paper about is how it could be plausible to suggest that contraception which prevents "fertilization" might be akin to "letting die", whereas, contraception that prevents "implantation" (read: fertilization and thus conception has already occurred) is more on par with "killing" (to many people), just as aborting a more mature fetus (be it 3 weeks or 9 weeks) is considered "killing".

perhaps those who disapprove contraception has something to do with sex practice in their minds rather than contraceptives themselves. well, actually I think that it is best if you have sex with someone that you know close enough, you dearly love, care and with whom you would have no problem to grow a baby together if such are chances. I also disapprove people who arent intimate with each other trying to have sex.:) how possible is that? it is ridiculous to think of two human trying to have sex like that :) if you dont have such an intimate relation and love for someone, why need for sex? I also dont get it. but of course it doesnt mean that you should be pregnant each time. but I think my point is clear enough anyway.

I don't believe all contraception is wrong (i.e.condoms), but specific types that prevent fertilization of an embryo are morally questionable. To me, it is equivocal to an abortion and unnecessary. @Phuquer - I am pro-life but do not believe that sex for pleasure is wrong or disgusting. On the contrary, I believe that spouses have a responsibility to one another to ensure that their physical needs are met. We are not "idiots".

"I think contraception is disgusting - people using each other for pleasure." Joseph Schiedler, Director, Pro-Life Action League Because they're idiots.

The argument could be that as long as the egg wasn't fertilized then no harm no foul. With the IUD, all it does is keep the fertilized egg from implanting. To some this could be a area of conflict. I think birth control is a whole lot better than bringing unwanted children into this world.

SoulPancake

ahimsa16

Why do some people feel contraception is morally questionable?

Isabella

They do? I would like to know the answer to that myself. Maybe just because it's "not God's way"? and not natural. Haha, I definitely think that's BS, though. But, they're entitled to their opinions.....

alessnam

For me is simple, have as many kids as you can love, and support. Then use contraception to have as much sex as you can with the person you love.

llessur

Well - Spirit says there are no accidents. Add into that freewill. Humanity will want to not generate new life out of desire. So, since whenever, contraception has been developed to deter pregnancies - way back when. It is not morally questionable to a person in that manner of lifestyle.

applegrass

muchmadness

because it implies people are having, gasp!, sex.

afierce

although i could give 1,000,000 reasons why i believe in contraception i will only give two. michelle druggar and nadya suleman. that's reason enough to strongly support contraception.

ahimsa16

annxdisaster

Jabbasi

I guess if you assume sex should only be done as a means of procreation you could easily make an argument that contraception is morally questionable.

ahimsa16

LouMay

Tellie

Phuquer

"I think contraception is disgusting - people using each other for pleasure." Joseph Schiedler, Director, Pro-Life Action League Because they're idiots.

Bonster

The argument could be that as long as the egg wasn't fertilized then no harm no foul. With the IUD, all it does is keep the fertilized egg from implanting. To some this could be a area of conflict. I think birth control is a whole lot better than bringing unwanted children into this world.

Why do some people feel contraception is morally questionable?

They do? I would like to know the answer to that myself. Maybe just because it's "not God's way"? and not natural. Haha, I definitely think that's BS, though. But, they're entitled to their opinions.....

For me is simple, have as many kids as you can love, and support. Then use contraception to have as much sex as you can with the person you love.

Well - Spirit says there are no accidents. Add into that freewill. Humanity will want to not generate new life out of desire. So, since whenever, contraception has been developed to deter pregnancies - way back when. It is not morally questionable to a person in that manner of lifestyle.

because it implies people are having, gasp!, sex.

although i could give 1,000,000 reasons why i believe in contraception i will only give two. michelle druggar and nadya suleman. that's reason enough to strongly support contraception.

I guess if you assume sex should only be done as a means of procreation you could easily make an argument that contraception is morally questionable.

"I think contraception is disgusting - people using each other for pleasure." Joseph Schiedler, Director, Pro-Life Action League Because they're idiots.

The argument could be that as long as the egg wasn't fertilized then no harm no foul. With the IUD, all it does is keep the fertilized egg from implanting. To some this could be a area of conflict. I think birth control is a whole lot better than bringing unwanted children into this world.

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