Each major religion has developed their moral codes, which covers issues such as sexuality and sexual practices. The views of religions and religious believers range widely, with some giving sex and sexuality a negative connotation and some believing that sex is the highest expression of the divine. Some religions believe that sexual activity should only be practised for reproduction and to have children, so sexual activity for pleasure is thought to be immoral.

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Religion has a powerful influence on attitudes and behaviour of many individuals, and it often forms a society’s orientation towards human sexuality and what is considered to be moral or immoral. When there are societies or countries where many people practice a particular religion, it creates a culture that is strongly influenced by religion and certain moral standards, even for those who may not be practicing the religion. Personal interpretations of any religion regarding sex can vary from being interpreted freely to being interpreted very strictly, however this depends on the individual. Different religions have their own viewpoints when it comes to sex, the use of contraception, marriage and abortion.

 

Church of England

  • Contraception is acceptable in most of the Church of England, as long as both partners mutually agree to it. It is generally accepted that parents have a responsibility to decide on the number of children based on the needs of their existing children and how they can care and provide for their family.
  • The Church of England is strongly against abortion, however they do recognise that in a limited number of cases it can be accepted if, for example, the pregnancy puts the life of the mother or child in danger.

 

Catholicism (Catholics)

  • Catholics do not accept contraception, as they believe that using artificial methods to stop pregnancy is immoral. Catholicism believes in natural family planning, and that sex is for the purpose of having children.
  • Abortion is considered by Catholics as the termination of a human life, and those who have an abortion fully aware of what they are doing incur the penalty of excommunication from the religion.

 

Islam (Muslims)

  • Pre-marital sex is prohibited, however a sexual relationship is seen as part of married life for the purposes of having children as well as to satisfy the needs of a couple in a relationship. Contraception has been accepted to space out having children or where there is a fear for the physical and mental wellbeing of the mother.
  • Abortion is never permitted as a means of birth control.

 

Sikhism

  • Sikhs very much believe in monogamy (only having 1 sexual partner), and birth control is generally an acceptable practice.
  • Abortion is permitted in only extreme circumstances such as rape or to save the mother’s life.

 

Hinduism

  • Hinduism is a way of life as well as a religion, and it permits four possible approaches to life. All methods of contraception are permitted in Hinduism, however many Hindus believe that it is their duty to produce a son; therefore contraception is generally not practiced until the birth of a son.
  • Abortion is generally disapproved as Hindus believe that physical and spiritual life enters the human embryo at the moment of conception (when the woman’s egg is fertilised by the man’s sperm). To Hindus all life is sacred, however abortion has been legalised in cases of rape, incest and to protect the mental health of the mother.

 

Judaism

  • Family and community are at the core of religious practice, and the basic source of the Jewish tradition is the Old Testament of the bible, which gives a fundamentally positive view of sexuality.
  • Jewish law states that a man may not use any form of contraception, however since it did not mention a woman’s use of contraception, many have interpreted it to mean that it is acceptable for a woman to use contraception (for example: the contraceptive pill)
  • Abortion is prohibited unless the life of the mother is at risk, or if continuing with the pregnancy will pose a severe threat to her health. Abortion is also allowed in the case of rape.

 

Buddhism

  • Buddhists are free to act according to their own insights and understandings, however they are taught to act responsibly and to take complete responsibility for the effects of these actions.
  • Many Buddhists believe that conception occurs when the egg is fertilised, so the use of contraception to prevent fertilisation is usually accepted.
  • Buddhism teaches that consciousness enters the womb and human life begins when the egg is fertilised, which implies that the foetus has equal rights to that of an adult, so terminating the pregnancy would be seen as killing a human being.