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What does the Bible say about preventing pregnancy?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 06, 2026

The Bible never explicitly approves of contraception.

Is it a sin to take birth control?

The Roman Catholic Church believes that using contraception is "intrinsically evil" in itself, regardless of the consequences. Catholics are only permitted to use natural methods of birth control. But the Church does not condemn things like the pill or condoms in themselves.

Does the Bible forbid contraception?

Indeed, while Judeo-Christian scripture encourages humans to “be fruitful and multiply,” nothing in Scripture explicitly prohibits contraception. When the first Christian theologians condemned contraception, they did so not on the basis of religion but in a give-and-take with cultural practices and social pressures.

Are condoms a sin in Christianity?

The use of a condom, even when employed to prevent the transmission of disease is a mortal sin, the highest grade of sin in the Catholic church.

What birth control do married couples use?

Among the world's married couples who do practice modern contraception, the next most popular methods after female sterilization, which is used by 36 percent, are intrauterine devices (IUDs), at 27 percent, and the pill, at 14 percent.

20 related questions found

What does the Bible say about reproduction?

From the beginning, God blessed procreation. In Genesis 1:28, God said: "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." Similarly, the psalmist says: "Behold, children are an heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

Where in Bible does it talk about abortion?

The word "abortion" is not mentioned in the Bible, but much in the Bible speaks to the issue. The most obvious passage is from Exodus 21:22-25. This part of the Covenant Code legislates the case of a pregnant woman who becomes involved in a brawl between 2 men and has a miscarriage.

What Christianity says about contraception?

The Catholic Church teaches that the act of sex is a way of showing true love and it is through this expression of love that God works to create new life. Since one of the purposes of sex is to procreate , the use of artificial methods of contraception interferes with God's creative act and is not acceptable.

What religions are against birth control?

Today, the Catholic Church is the only Christian denomination that adheres to a historical standard on birth control/contraception, which is that any form of contraceptive use is against their religion. This includes any form of artificial contraception such as: The pill and all hormonal methods of birth control.

What is the religious argument against birth control?

The Roman Catholic church forbids contraceptive use because it is a sin against nature. Some Protestant denominations have allowed contraceptive use.

Do Baptist believe in birth control?

America's houses of worship support contraception

Even traditionally conservative religious organizations such as the Pentecostal Assemblies of God, the Southern Baptist Convention, and Seventh-Day Adventists believe contraception is an important moral choice for a woman and her family.

Can Catholic use condoms?

The Catholic ban on the use of condoms, or any other device, for contraceptive purposes remains. One of the pope's most senior officials, Cardinal Rino Fisichella, told the press conference condoms were "intrinsically an evil".

What does the Bible say about unborn babies?

In these and other verses, the Bible affirms the life and value of unborn children. The Bible goes even further to explain that the unborn life is valuable because he or she has been uniquely created by God. Paul declares, “He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:25).

What does the Bible say about killing the innocent?

Deut. 27:25 cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person... Psalm 10:8 in the secret places doeth he murder the innocent... Psalm 106:38 And shed innocent blood, even blood of their sons and of their daughters,/; and polluted the land with blood.

What does the Bible say about protesting?

Leviticus 19:13: “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him.” The looting and rioting in these inner-city areas is actually destroying the businesses and livelihoods of predominately minorities and those with lower incomes.

What does Christianity say about surrogacy?

Religious Views on Surrogacy

Catholicism: While surrogacy is present in the Book of Genesis with the story of Sarah and Abraham, the Catholic Church does not advocate for surrogacy. Instead, the Church teaches that children are a gift from God, only to be conceived and carried naturally by a married husband and wife.

What does the Bible say about a woman covering her body?

[6] For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. [7] For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

What does the Bible say about barren woman?

There are six barren women in the Bible: three of the four matriarchs (Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel) in Genesis; Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1-2); the anonymous wife of Manoah, mother of Samson (Judges 13); and the “great woman of Shunem,” also called the Shunammite, an acolyte of the prophet Elisha (2 ...

Who set me apart from my mother's womb?

Abstract. In Galatians 1:15, Paul uniquely presents his appointment and apostleship as God's separating him from his mother's womb and calling him by grace. However, Paul's meaning behind the phrase, “separated from his mother's womb,” has been speculated with little biblical-theological substance.

What does Exodus 21 say?

Bible Gateway Exodus 21 :: NIV. "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him.

Does the pope support birth control?

The Pope's Encyclical

In the papal encyclical entitled Humanae Vitae ("Of Human Life"), Pope Paul VI ended the speculation over oral contraceptives and birth control once and for all. He reaffirmed the Church's traditional teachings and classified the Pill as an artificial method of birth control.

What does the Pope say about condoms?

Pope Benedict XVI has said the use of condoms is acceptable in exceptional circumstances, according to a new book. He said condoms could reduce the risk of HIV infection, such as for a male prostitute, in a series of interviews given to a German journalist.

What does the Church teach about abortion?

The Catholic Church states that abortion is always wrong, because life begins at conception and is God given. This means that in the eyes of the Catholic Church abortion is classed as murder and goes against the commandment, Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13). This commandment is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 19:18.

Do Seventh Day Adventist believe in birth control?

Seventh-day Adventist Church policy opposes abortion, assisted suicide, and the "homosexual lifestyle," but approves of contraception, sterilization, and in vitro fertilization. There are about 90 Adventist hospitals and 350 affiliated provider organizations in the United States, and more than 500 facilities worldwide.

What does it mean to use contraception?

Birth control, also known as contraception, is designed to prevent pregnancy. Birth control methods may work in a number of different ways: Preventing sperm from getting to the eggs. Types include condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges.