As a pastor with 15 years of experience in the Christian ministry, I have come across people with different views regarding condoms.
I have heard some people condemn it while others approve of it because it prevents unplanned pregnancies. Since I am passionate about Bible reading, I wanted to know what the Bible says regarding condoms.
Is using a condom a sin?
The Bible implies in the Book of Genesis that Humans are to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. Most Christians, especially Catholics, believe that using condoms is a sin since it opposes the command of God to procreate. However, there is no mention of condoms in the Bible saying it is right or wrong.
In this article, I will share insights into what the Bible says about using condoms. Join me in this exploration and discover whether condoms are against Christianity and if married couples can use condoms.
Keep reading to discover what birth control methods Christians can use and much more!
Before you proceed, below is a video on the same topic covered on our Youtube channel:
What does the Bible say about condoms and contraceptives?
The Bible gives guidelines on how humans are expected to live according to the will of God, but it does not mention condoms and contraceptives. From the creation story, we learn that God created a male and a female to keep each other company.
In Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
The Bible implies that God commands Adam and Eve to fill the earth with children. Most Christians believe God wants us to be very productive and not use condoms and contraceptives to avoid getting pregnant.
Since the Bible does not say anything concerning condoms and contraceptives, other people believe that it does not condemn them.
Are condoms against Christianity?
There are so many arguments concerning the use of condoms in Christianity. Some Christians believe it is wrong since God said we should procreate and fill the earth, while others believe it is suitable since it is not condemned in the Bible.
There have been discussions among different churches concerning this topic, and various opinions have been heard from this discussion.
According to Catholicism, using condoms or any other birth control method except the rhythm method and abstaining from sex is forbidden.
They believe using condoms prevents conception, which is the same as murder since life starts at conception. Some protestant dominations second the Catholic opinions and are also against condoms, while others have allowed the use of condoms.
Does the Bible forbid Christians from using contraceptive methods?
The Bible does not talk much about contraceptives except in Genesis 38, where most believers believe it is against birth control. However, it depends on how you interpret the story.
The story is about the two sons of Judah, Er, and Onan. Judah found a wife for his elder son, Tamar, and brought her to him.
However, Er was wicked in the eyes of God, and God punished him by death, leaving Tamar a widow with no children. According to the Levirate marriage law, in Deuteronomy 25:5-6, Judah told Onan to take his deceased brother’s wife and bear children with her so that they can bear heirs for his brother.
But Onan knew that even though he was the one that produced the children, they would not be his. Therefore, whenever he went to Tamar, he practiced birth control by pulling out and wasting the semen on the ground.
Genesis 38:10 states, “And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also.”
The reason why God put Onan to death is not that he practiced birth control but because of his selfish motives. He used Tamar for pleasure instead of performing the rightful duties of a brother-in-law as instructed by his father.
Many people that forbid contraceptives use this story to prove that God disapproves of birth control. However, Onan died because of his selfish motives, not because of using Birth control.
Therefore the Bible allows Christians to use contraceptive methods if their motives are not evil.
Does the Catholic Church approve of condoms?
The Catholic Church highly forbids condoms as a birth control method. However, they seem to approve of the usage of condoms as a method for the prevention of disease infection.
In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI stated that the Catholic Church does not regard condoms as a moral way to prevent HIV/AIDS infections, but there are circumstances where it is best to use them.
He gave an example of a male prostitute infected with the disease using a condom. There were controversies about this, and later that year, the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith confirmed that the church considered prostitution a seriously immoral act.
Also, they said that the Pope was trying to say saying “those involved in prostitution who are HIV positive and who seek to diminish the risk of contagion by the use of a condom may be taking the first step in respecting the life of another even if the evil of prostitution remains in all its gravity.”
Can married couples use condoms?
Married couples using condoms depends on their religious belief concerning condoms. For Catholic and Islamic couples, they are forbidden from using condoms.
Catholic theology is that a couple should abstain from sex or use the natural birth control method instead of using a condom.
Islamic couples believe that children are a symbol of wealth; hence, for the couple to be considered wealthy, they have to bear many children. They do not use condoms o any other form of birth control method.
Some protestant denominations have approved the use of condoms, and hence it is not wrong for couples in these denominations to use condoms.
They believe there is no need for a couple to bear many children if they cannot afford the costs involved.
Does using condoms when married defeat the purpose of marriage as intended by God?
According to Genesis 1:28, the Bible implies that man and woman should procreate, and hence the use of condoms when married defeats the purpose of marriage as intended by God.
In Psalm 127:3-5, the Bible speculates children as God’s heritage and a reward to a woman’s womb.
It suggests that blessed is a man that fills the earth with children. Since children are God’s blessings, using a condom prevents these blessings in marriage.
Also, Hebrews 13:4 states, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
This teaches that man and woman should get married, so they obey the seventh commandment of God. Therefore, God wants us to get married so we do not commit adultery by having sex outside of marriage.
Also, God’s plan for sex is to have children and not prevent them from being conceived.
Does the Bible condemn Christians from using contraceptives?
The Bible talks highly about children since they are God’s blessings, but it does not approve or condemn the use of contraceptives.
However, in Genesis 38, there is the use of birth control where Onan withdraws during sex with Tamar and pours the semen on the ground. Onan offends God by his act, and God puts him to death.
However, many argue that it is not the act of birth control that offends God but his selfish motives. Therefore, there is nowhere in the Bible that contraceptives are condemned.
What other birth control methods can Christians use?
- Abstaining from having sex: it is the best birth control method for Christians.
- Oral contraceptives: these are birth control pills taken by women to prevent ovulation by controlling pituitary hormone secretion.
- Spermicides: this is the application of cream inside the vagina to kill sperms transmitted during sex. It also prevents sexually transmitted infections.
- The rhythm method: also known as Natural Family planning, involves timing sex to avoid fertility after sex. It is done by having sex during the safe days of a woman and also involves watching changes in the cervical mucus. There are high risks of pregnancy when using this method.
- Injection: It is a progesterone-like medicine injected into a female to prevent ovulation. It is effective for three months only.
- Hormonal vagina contraceptive ring: a ring placed inside the vagina that produces the hormones progestin and estrogen to prevent fertility.
- Hysterectomy: surgical removal of the uterus and sometimes the fallopian tube and ovaries. It is a permanent method of birth control.
What birth control methods are prohibited in the Catholic Church?
Catholicism forbids all forms of birth control methods (use of condoms, spermicides, hormonal vagina contraceptives, oral contraceptives, injections, hysterectomy, etc.) except the rhythm method and abstains from the sex method.
According to the Roman Catholic Church, the use of birth control is a form of murder since it prevents conception. They explain that life is between conception and death, and no one has the right to end another person’s life.
God’s sixth commandment states that “you shall not commit murder.” The Catholic Church says that when one prevents the conception of a baby has broken this commandment and will receive punishment from God.
The rhythm method is timing when a female is not fertile or having sex during the female’s safe days. Catholics believe that during this time, the baby cannot be conceived; hence, birth control does not involve killing the baby.
Also, another method they approve of is abstinence. The Catholic Church believes that if one does not want to conceive babies, one should abstain from sex since God’s plan for sex is procreation.
What religion forbids its members from using condoms?
Catholicism
The Roman Catholic Church states that the use of condoms is banned in their religion since it is a form of murder. They say that using a condom prevents a baby from being conceived, and therefore the person breaks the sixth commandment in the law of prophets.
However, they approve of using condoms to prevent disease infection though not all catholic churches support this law. Some catholic churches suggest abstaining from sex to avoid disease infection and not using condoms.
Islam
Muslims believe that children symbolize wealth, so the more children you have, the richer you are. Islam condemns condoms and thinks using condoms traps the babies to be born in this world and the next.
They believe there will be a great punishment for those using condoms since the trapped babies will push them back to suffer in this world. Muslims believe that Allah provides for all children, and thus they should not kill them.
Their faith is from Koran, 17:31, “Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We will provide for them and you.”
Reference
The story about birth control in Genesis 38.
Religion view about birth control.
What are the different types of birth control?
Christian views on birth control
What Does the Bible Say About Contraception?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
