Birth Control

[Natt]

Where in the bible does it say that Birth Control is up to the couple? Reading scriptures in Genesis seems to show that God sees Birth Control as a sin. First he commands people to multiply and then he is displeased when Onan tried to prevent pregnancy. What are your thoughts/understanding of this?

Genesis 1:28

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Genesis 38: 8-10

And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.

And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.

[peaches]

so wait a minute, are you trying to get to the conclusion that there should be no birth control?

[Natt]

so wait a minute, are you trying to get to the conclusion that there should be no birth control?

No.

I've been for birth control up to now.

It just some verses in the bible seem to suggest it is wrong. It would be good to hear from the side that says birth control is ok using the bible as evidence.

[Smalcald]

I do think a strong scriptural case can be made that married couples are called to have children if they are physically able. How many children I don't think is defined at all. Birth control can be both artificial or natural, I think a case can be made for natural birth control, although I think as long as the artificial method used does not destroy a fertilized human egg, then it would be okay for a married couple to use it.

Of course outside of marriage the question is mute.

[Old Timer]

Gen 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Job 18:5, 19 "Indeed, the light of the wicked goes out

[stevehut]

Natt, God did not slay Onan because he spilled his seed. He was killed because he failed to keep his promise to his brother.

Do you know what "levirate marriage" is?

Steve

[Natt]

Natt, God did not slay Onan because he spilled his seed. He was killed because he failed to keep his promise to his brother.

Do you know what "levirate marriage" is?

Steve

What is the difference with a levirite marriage?

[Iryssa]

I don't think Onan's sin was in using a birth control method (however primitive) itself. I think his sin was in his motivation (selfishness) for doing it (the "lest he give his seed to his brother" part...if his brother's wife never produced an heir for his brother, Onan's own children would get a share in his brother's inheritance).

The type of pill that is most often prescribed these days is the combination pill, which uses the female hormones estrogen and progestin to work in two ways:

1. To inhibit the monthly release of an egg by the ovaries.

2. To change the mucus produced by the cervix in order to slow down the movement of the sperm though the mucus and the uterus. (the sperm does not survive very long, and the older the egg is the more hardened it becomes. Therefore, the sperm would not be able to implant itself).

I have not heard of the combination pill causing a fertilized egg to be destroyed. I believe this is more likely to happen with the mini-pill (which uses estrogen only), but that is not the one most women are prescribed these days.

I talked to my doctor about all of that before I went on the pill. With those reassurances, my conscience is clear. I DO plan on having children someday...but it simply wouldn't be responsible for us to have them now.

[Natt]

I don't think Onan's sin was in using a birth control method (however primitive) itself. I think his sin was in his motivation (selfishness) for doing it (the "lest he give his seed to his brother" part...if his brother's wife never produced an heir for his brother, Onan's own children would get a share in his brother's inheritance).

The type of pill that is most often prescribed these days is the combination pill, which uses the female hormones estrogen and progestin to work in two ways:

1. To inhibit the monthly release of an egg by the ovaries.

2. To change the mucus produced by the cervix in order to slow down the movement of the sperm though the mucus and the uterus. (the sperm does not survive very long, and the older the egg is the more hardened it becomes. Therefore, the sperm would not be able to implant itself).

I have not heard of the combination pill causing a fertilized egg to be destroyed. I believe this is more likely to happen with the mini-pill (which uses estrogen only), but that is not the one most women are prescribed these days.

I talked to my doctor about all of that before I went on the pill. With those reassurances, my conscience is clear. I DO plan on having children someday...but it simply wouldn't be responsible for us to have them now.

Thanks for that. I hadn't heard this before.

[stevehut]

Natt, Onan's brother died childless. So according to custom, he married his brother's widow to produce children on his dead brother's behalf. Those children would be legally considered the descendants of the dead guy. (This is levirate marriage.)

When Onan spilled his seed, it was a selfish act and a breach of his promise to his brother.

Hope this helps.

The Bible is silent on the matter of contraception.

Steve