Jewish Religion Family Planning

Family Planning in the Jewish Religion

In the Jewish religion, sex is viewed as both a means of procreation and as a way of expressing love and solidifying the ties between married partners. Family planning can involve most forms of birth control, although some Jewish people may choose to avoid those forms of contraceptives that have been banned by the Torah.

Sex Before Marriage
Like the Roman Catholic Church, Jewish laws (halacha) state that pre-marital sex is forbidden. However, some Jewish sects, both conservative and liberal, have started to change their stance on this issue. Some groups have begun to take steps to discern between those pre-marital relations that involve non-committed partners who are promiscuous and those relationships that are considered to be meaningful, committed and sacred to the individuals involved. For these groups, sex within a committed, non-married relationship is more acceptable than promiscuous sex. The reason for the change in attitude is likely due to the increase in couples choosing to co-habitat before they get married.

Of course, this is not to say that all Jewish followers hold this view. According to the laws of the Torah, Orthodox Jews are prohibited from having sex before marriage and abstinence holds true. In fact, they choose to not touch at all before their marriage night.

Sex Within Marriage
Having sex within marriage is viewed as a sanctified act by the Jewish religion. According to the Torah, marriage is the essential channel through which individuals can obtain companionship, intimacy and love. While sex can most certainly be for procreation purposes, it is also meant to help strengthen the bonds between spouses. Therefore, a married couple is free to have sex specifically for the sake of enjoying each other and expressing love for one another; the possibility of a child does not always have to be considered when having sex.

However, Jewish laws say that sex should be avoided from the start of a woman�s menstrual cycle (the first day she bleeds) through to the seventh day after her bleeding has stopped, at which time she must purify herself through a ritual bath, known as a mikvah. Although this is outlined in Jewish law, nowadays only a minority of Jews, most of whom are Orthodox, strictly follow this law.

Birth Control
Jewish couples may use certain forms of birth control if they wish. However, because the Torah has been interpreted to say that a Jewish man should have at least one son and one daughter, Jewish law states that men should not destroy or waste their "seed" (sperm). For this reason, barrier methods of contraception, vasectomies, and the withdrawal method are discouraged (although a condom may be used if its intended purpose is to protect against STDs). Use of hormonal forms of birth control, including the birth control pill, as well as Natural Family Planning methods, are acceptable in the Jewish religion, but only in certain instances.

Jewish law permits the use of birth control in young women and those women who are nursing as well as those couples who already have at least one boy and one girl. In practice, though, the majority of Jews, primarily those who are non-Orthodox, use whatever type of birth control that they prefer, regardless of whether their method "wastes seed." Orthodox Jews, on the other hand, are much more likely to follow Jewish laws when it comes to birth control. However, there are some Orthodox Jewish people that do not believe in the use of birth control at all, as they feel that only God can decide for them how big (or small) their family should be.

Abortion
Unlike the Catholic religion, which believes life starts at conception, the Jewish religion dictates that a child is not human until the head emerges from the womb. Therefore, the act of abortion is acceptable, but only under certain circumstances. For Jewish people, abortion is never okay if it is done because of a genetic problem with the fetus. On the other hand, if the mother�s life or health is at risk, then abortion may be permissible.

In general, the Jewish religion does support a woman�s right to access abortion but believes that each and every case must be assessed by a rabbi. Furthermore, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform Jews and some Orthodox sects are officially opposed to government involvement and regulation of abortion. In their opinion, the decision to have an abortion should be made by the woman with the assistance of her husband, her doctor and her clergyperson.

Islamic Family Planning

Islamic Family Planning

While Islamic views on sex before and within marriage are quite similar to other religions, followers of Islam have perhaps the most options when it comes to the use of birth control. In fact, for those Muslims that are using birth control, Islam places very few restrictions on the use of contraceptives.

Sex Before Marriage
In the Islamic religion, rules regarding pre-marital relations are quite simple: no relations of any sort are allowed between the sexes. While both the Jewish and Catholic religions allow a courtship to take place between a woman and a man (although abstinence is recommended during this time), the Islamic religion does not. This likely leads many people to wonder, "So how do people get married in this religion?"

In Islam, marriage occurs through family involvement, prayer, and careful thought and consideration. When an individual feels that they are ready to marry, they approach their family who will set about finding them a potential mate. Once a suitor is chosen, a chaperoned meeting is arranged so that a man and woman may get to know each other. A chaperone is necessary so that neither will be tempted to behave inappropriately during this meeting. If either the man or the woman are not happy with the potential suitor picked out for them, they can choose to call off the marriage and their family will set about to try and find another match.

Islam views sex before and outside of marriage very harshly. In some cases, Sharia Law (the governing and religious laws behind Islam) calls for the execution by stoning of individuals who have sex outside of marriage. However, it is very important to note that not all countries with predominately Muslim religions enforce this sentence. Many Muslim countries have gotten rid of it all together while others keep it on the books but do not actually enforce it. While some countries do still strictly follow Sharia Law, there is increasing pressure from other countries, as well as from other Muslims, to stop these practices.

Sex Within Marriage
Not surprisingly, like the Jewish and Catholic faiths, Islam views sexual relations between a wife and husband as an ideal expression of love. Sex between married spouses is both for the sexual pleasure of each partner as well as for procreation. All forms of sexual expression, from intercourse to caressing and kissing, are encouraged between partners. The only stipulation according to the Qur�an is that intercourse should not take place while a woman is menstruating. However, other forms of sexual pleasure are allowed, so long as a woman�s genitals are avoided.

Birth Control
Almost all forms of birth control are thought to be permissible in Islam. Those that are not accepted include surgical sterilization (unless it is medically necessary), as it is viewed as a form of castration as well as alters the body without need, and the withdrawal method, because it interrupts a woman�s pleasure and prevents a woman from conceiving if that is what she wants. However, the withdrawal method may be used if the woman agrees to it.

Birth control use may be allowed for various women. Instances when Islam permits the use of contraception include:

• Allowing a woman to rest between pregnancies
• Preventing the transmission of infectious disease, such as an STD
• A women�s health requires the use of birth control
• A husband cannot financially support more children

Abortion
There is some disagreement among Islamic scholars as to whether or not the Qur�an allows abortions to take place and, if so, when. The cause for the confusion lies in the following verse: "You should not kill your children for fear of want" (17:31 and 6:151). Some have interpreted this verse to mean that all birth control and abortion should be banned. However, many Islamic leaders and scholars say that this interpretation is incorrect. The verse in fact refers to infanticide and killing a child that has been born due to poverty. With that in mind, most say that abortion is in fact legal under Islamic law, so long as it is done before ensoulment. Precisely when the soul enters the body, though, is often debated.

Some Islamic schools feel that ensoulment occurs when an embryo has implanted itself into the womb (although this still allows for the use of the "Morning After Pill" to prevent a pregnancy). Others say it occurs much later, anywhere from 40 days after fertilization to 120 days after fertilization. While the various schools may have differing opinions as to when ensoulment occurs, they all agree that abortion should not take place once the soul has entered the body. They also agree that abortion should not be performed for vain reasons, such as trying to keep your figure, but out of necessity, such as saving the life of the mother.

Catholicism and Family Planning

Catholicism and Family Planning

In the past, some people have associated the Catholic religion with very prudent views on sex. Some believed that the Roman Catholic Church frowned upon all acts of sexual activity except for the purpose of procreation. Yet, this belief is somewhat inaccurate. While it is true that the Catholic Church encourages sex for procreation purposes, it also views sex as the ultimate beautiful expression of love between married spouses.

Sex Before Marriage
Followers of the Roman Catholic Church are strongly advised against having sexual relations before getting married. Referred to as fornication, having sex before marriage is considered to be a mortal sin, requiring one to go to confession before they are allowed to take part in Holy Communion again. However, it is not just strictly the act of having sexual intercourse that the Roman Catholic Church advises it followers against; it is any form of sexual activity.

Because engaging in sexual activity may lead to temptation and therefore sex, couples that are not married should not take part in any type of sexual relation. While couples are encouraged to get to know each other intimately, this intimacy refers to a mental and spiritual intimacy. In some instances, physical affection may be displayed through hugging, holding hands, cuddling and perhaps kissing. However, not all church leaders will agree with this type of physical relationship before marriage and promote complete abstenince. Furthermore, living together before marriage is also viewed as morally wrong.

Sex Within Marriage
For Catholics, sex within marriage is a wonderful thing. It not only helps to unite the couple, but also presents the possibility of creating a new life. In the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church, a marriage is the ideal, stable environment in which to raise children. Couples that abide by the Catholic Church belief system are encouraged to have as many children as their circumstances allow. However, the Church also recognizes the need to space children out � they certainly don�t expect a woman to constantly be pregnant! For this reason, certain forms of birth control are considered to be acceptable.

Birth Control
Since sex is meant for procreation purposes, married Catholic couples should always be open to the possibility of a pregnancy. While family planning is allowed, the use of contraceptives, both hormonal and barrier, are not. Likewise, tubal ligations and vasectomies for purposes of contraception and sterilization are not acceptable, although they may be done out of medical necessity.

Barrier methods of birth control, such as the condom and the cervical cap, along with hormonal contraceptives, like the birth control pill and Depo-Provera, are thought to interfere with the act of conception. Specifically, they prevent the egg from being fertilized by a sperm and in some cases may inhibit a pregnancy further by preventing the implantation of an egg. To Catholics, purposely stopping the joining of an egg and sperm is thought to be a sin, therefore these forms of birth control are not accepted.

So what can Catholic couples do if they want to space out their children? Natural Family Planning methods are encouraged and supported by the Roman Catholic Church. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for various forms of birth control that do not involve any hormones or physical barriers to prevent pregnancy, but instead rely on periods of abstinence during a woman�s menstrual cycle. Popular forms of NFP include the rhythm method, basal body temperature charting and the Standard Days Method.

Because NFP is a very involved form of birth control, often requiring regular charting and monitoring of various bodily functions, it is necessary that both partners be dedicated to practicing NFP. It is precisely for this reason that NFP is generally recommended for those in stable, committed relationships. Additionally, those who use NFP often say that this method of contraception helps bring them closer to their partner, as it improves their communication about their bodies and their sexuality.

Abortion
The Roman Catholic Church considers life to begin at conception, when an egg is fertilized by a sperm. Therefore, abortion is seen as a form of murder, making it a sin. Any Catholic that obtains or takes part in an abortion is considered to be excommunicated from the Church, although they may be allowed back if they ask for forgiveness for their sin. In addition to an actual abortion procedure, the Church views other actions, including the use of an IUD, the Morning After Pill, RU-486; embryonic stem cell research, and IVF, as acts of abortion because they have the potential to destroy an embryo. Yet, the Church also distinguishes between what they consider to be a direct abortion and an indirect abortion.

A direct abortion is an act that purposely ends the life of an embryo or fetus. These forms of abortion are always thought to be morally wrong, thus making them a sin. An indirect abortion refers to an act that is used to save a woman�s life but that indirectly causes an unborn child to die. For example, a woman dealing with an ectopic pregnancy would need to have part of her fallopian tube removed in order to save her life. Although the fetus is not destroyed by this act, it will die because it is taken out of the body. However, this type of situation very rarely arises thereby making the majority of abortion procedures a grave sin in the eyes of the Church.