Contraception and Christianity

The bulk of the class on Nov 9 was a summary and discussion of a visit to Indiana Wesleyan University by Dale Partin to discuss issues of integrating science and Christianity with science faculty members there. This presentation was completely oral and will not be summarized here.
The following material was presented by Mary Milke on November 2, and concluded on November 9. It involved a detailed discussion of methods of birth control, including physiological, Biblical and doctrinal dimensions. An important issue was to discern the extent to which various methods of birth control are effective in preventing conception, vs those methods that are effective after conception. The Wesleyan Church policy statement on this issue is also attached, and it places stress on using methods of contraception which are effective before conception, in the context of marriage.
It was pointed out that the “abstinence only” position of some local school boards means that a health sciences teacher is forbidden to point out risks of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, psychological problems, etc. of sex outside of marriage to students unless a student asks about it. However, in those school districts with an “abstinence-based” policy, a teacher can teach the benefits of abstinence and also teach the serious limitations of common methods of contraception in preventing these problems.
What follows is an outline of the material that was covered. There are two web sites given which give more detailed information.

Contraception and Christianity
November 2, 2008

I. School curriculum- decided at local level
A. “Abstinence-based”
Abstinence is presented as the only reliable method to prevent STI’s and pregnancy
B. “Abstinence Only”
Methods of contraception are not mentioned
C. Political issues
1. Choosing school board members
2. Sexual health committee members
II. Scriptures relating to human sexuality
www.noroomforcontraception.com/Resources/
III. Physiology
A. Egg is released from ovary 10-14 days prior to menstruation
B. Sperm fertilizes egg in the fallopian tube
C. Fertilized egg (embryo) may or may not implant in uterine wall
D. If no implantation occurs, uterine lining is shed (menstruation)
IV. Questions
A. When does pregnancy begin? When does life begin?
B. Arguments
1. Fertilization
2. Implantation
3. Detection of pregnancy hormones
4. Heartbeat
5. Ability to survive outside the womb
C. Support for idea that life begins at fertilization with embryos conception:
www.princeton.edu/~prolife/articles/embbyroquotes2.html
V. Method of contraception
A. Birth Control Pills
1. Combination pill
Prevents ovulation
Thicken mucus of cervix
Thins uterine lining
2. Mini pill
Progestin only
B. Emergency Contraception (morning after pill)
1. Not an abortion pill which shed uterine lining
2. Same actions as combination pill, but in different dose
C. IUD
1. Implanted in uterus
D. Other hormonal methods
1. Injection- prevents ovulation
2. Patch- similar to birth control pills but delivered through skin
3. Vaginal ring- inserted once a month, releases hormones
E. Barrier methods
Prevent fertilization:
Spermicide
Sponge
Cervical cap
Diaphragm
Condom
F. Sterilization
1. Surgical
2. Males- vasectomy (blocking/cutting vas deferens)
3. Females- tubal ligation (blocking/cutting fallopian tubes)