When I was a child there were only two, or sometimes three, channels to turn to on the television set, so when the news came on there was no escape! Even though I would have done almost anything to avoid such boring adult dribble, my parents insisted in watching it, so I sat and endured. In spite of my distaste, newscaster Walter Cronkite became quite familiar to me (during the heyday of CBS News in the ’60’s and 70’s, he was often referred to as “the most trusted man in America” after being so named in an opinion poll).
What he reported carried weight in my mind, and something he said in a news special documenting the major events of the 20th Century really struck me. Sitting at a news desk all of those years must have given him quite a perch from which to observe the changes and movements of humankind, and while discussing the decade of the 1960’s he made a profound statement; he said that birth control had ushered in the “s*xual revolution.” But he didn’t stop there; he went on to connect the dots and dared to speak of the moral breakdown that resulted.
This is a foreign thought to most of us now. These days we can hardly imagine a world without “birth control,” but there was a time when it was rare or non-existent. People were expected to meet, marry, and have children. Good girls said “NO” to their suitors because they did not want to get pregnant, and those that said “yes” were rare. Oh, and ALL Christian denominations were against contraception, not just the Catholic Church.
In fact, it used to be that no one worried about defending marriage because marriage didn’t need to be defined; s*x was saved for monogamous commitment because it wasn’t about self-gratification, it was about procreation (producing offspring).
Enter: Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood.
Some view Ms. Sanger as an angel, others as a demon. One thing is for certain; if she was an angel, her ideals were definitely not heavenly!
Of course, she claimed to be the champion of womanhood. She droned on and on about the plight of the poor, the slavery of women tied to children, etc.
Despite her own claims, however, her care for the poor was little to none. The concern she feigned to show for women who were poor and “trapped” with numerous children was simply a means to an end; to free society from any vestiges of Christian morality so that all could enjoy, “romantic dignity, unfettered self-expression, and the sacredness of unbridled s*xual desire.”
She was the first person I ever knew who was openly an ardent propagandist for the joys of the flesh.
Mabel Dodge, hostess for some of Margaret Sanger’s early discussions of “free love.”
Among Sanger’s works was a self-published rag called The Woman Rebel. It’s slogan was, “No Gods! No Masters!” and “denounced marriage as a ‘degenerate institution,’ capitalism as ‘indecent exploitation,’and s*xual modesty as ‘obscene prudery.'” (George Grant, Grand Illustions: The Legacy of Planned Parenthood)
One article in this publication asserted that “rebel women claim the following rights: the right to be lazy, the right to be an unmarried mother, the right to destroy…and the right to love.”
Ms. Sanger was also a student of Thomas Malthus and all of the offshoots of his infamous philosophy of population control which included Phrenology, Eugenics, and Social Darwinism.
Consider this quote from Malthus himself originally published in his magnum opus, An Essay on the Principle of Population:
All children born, beyond what would be required to keep up the population to a desired level, must necessarily perish, unless room be made for them by the deaths of grown person…Therefore…we should facilitate, instead of foolishly and vainly endeavoring to impede, the operations of nature in producing this morality; and if we dread the too frequent visitation of the horrid form of famine, we should sedulously encouraged the other forms of destruction, which we compel nature to use. Instead of recommending cleanliness to the poor, we should encourage contrary habits. In our towns we should make the streets narrower, crowd more people into the houses, and court the return of the plague. In the country, we should build our villages near stagnant pools, and particularly encourage settlements in all marsh and unwholesome situations. But above all, we should reprobate specific remedies for ravaging diseases; and restrain those benevolent, but much mistaken men, who have thought they were doing a service to mankind by projecting schemes for the total extirpation of particular disorders.
Sanger’s engagement with Malthusian ethics gained her some strange bedfellows. Ultimately, she became associated with the ideas of Adolf Hitler himself–going so far as to publish articles by Ernst Rodin, head of the horrific Nazi Medical Experimentation Program.
Sanger wrote repeatedly about the evils of “excessive” family size, and claimed that a woman’s health continued to decline with each child, but research has since overturned her assertions; recent studies suggest that giving birth 10 times actually benefits a woman’s health. She also claimed that children had a greater chance of death with the addition of each child to a family, an assumption which does not hold up under closer scrutiny, and had more to do with probability than actual health (this becomes glaringly clear when we consider the long list of famous, influential people who were born to burgeoning families, many of whom were poor).
Because of her beliefs, Sanger became responsible for the opening of the first birth control “clinic” and then the founding of The Birth Control League, which was later renamed Planned Parenthood, responsible for the slaughter of 60,000,000+ human beings.
The most merciful thing that the large family does to one of its infant member is to kill it.
Margaret Sanger, Woman and the New Race
As a one-woman army fighting for a woman’s “right to choose,” “The Pill” was her Holy Grail. She invested over two million dollars of her own money in ovulation research during the 1950’s and encouraged Dr. Searle in his development efforts.
Hormonal contraception was eventually given full approval by the FDA in 1960, just six years before Sanger was to die at the age of 86, her ultimate dream realized.
The moment civilization is wise enough to remove the constraints and prohibitions which now hinder the release of inner energies, most of the larger evils of society will perish of inanition and malnutrition. Remove the moral taboos that now bind the human body and spirit, free the individual from the slavery of tradition, remove the chains of fear from men and women, above all answer their unceasing cries for knowledge that would make possible self-direction and salvation, and in so doing, you best serve the interests of society at large.
Margaret Sanger,
The Pivot of Civilization, 1922
But what has actually transpired in the last 56 years since the introduction of hormonal contraception into our society? Are we safer? Have wars been lessened (something Sanger prophesied would happen if contraception was approved and adopted)? Are there fewer unwanted babies? Has the overall health of women improved (consider the increases in cancers of the female organs, increased heart attacks, diabetes, etc.)?
Are women more virtuous and well-adjusted? Are men more responsible and caring towards women and children? Has human misery been eradicated or even lessened by one degree?
It seems that, instead of improving the plight of humankind, we have fallen farther down the slippery slope towards the abyss. More babies are born without fathers to teen girls than ever before, more women are rearing children by themselves, cohabitation is now the new “norm” for relationships, and promiscuity is acceptable and encouraged among the young and the old alike.
In releasing s*x from its association with procreation, we have opened up a huge Pandora’s Box. The proliferation and celebration of homos*xual lifestyles, the redefinition of marriage, and legislation that opens the door for hormonal treatments and surgical gender changes in young children can all have their origins traced to the “gift” of chemical contraception.
It makes one wonder; given the roots and the outcomes, shouldn’t we as Christians have a different attitude about The Pill than those in the world?
No condemnation here; using contraception will not send us to hell, but it is a bit telling, isn’t it?
Could it be that when we claim surrender to God we are holding back certain areas, areas that we don’t believe He has authority over?
Or maybe we are afraid because the true name of our God is spelled with a little “g”.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 14:12
Excellent, straightforward summary of a very sticky subject! Thank you.
And thank you for leaving such a supportive comment!
I love your writing style and admire your witness. I think this information is very much needed to people today because we assume that the way things are is normal. It is not normal for us as a society to equate pregnancy as a disease or to see marriage as contract of romance. Marriage is about love and love begets life. I do have to ask you this question though. How do you know that contraception does not lead to hell? I am not here to judge any soul because God is the only one that can judge culpability of the heart and mind. But what is your understanding of the seriousness of contraception? I think this is where your article lost it’s momentum. As a Catholic Christian we believe this is a serious sin – an act that goes against God – disobeys God’s command – and a serious one at that (dealing with marriage and the holy creation of life) and if it does not lead someone to hell because of knowledge of what they are doing it can in the very least cut a person off seriously from a lot of grace and lead them down a sinful road where they can get lost in other sins as well. I urge you in your own faith journey to look deeper into this because if contraception is evil then why should we as Christians validate ourselves for using it? I say this as a mom that has experienced very severe postpartum depression and have been helped immensely to actually heal this problem through Creighton Model (Natural Family Planning) which actually treats the cause. The charting has helped us to have longer spacing of babies as I have needed without fear or anxiety. NFP is God’s gift to marriages to help families in dire situations to be able to have intimacy as well as avoid pregnancy. Please check it out moms – do yourself a favor- your husband- your children- you will be so happy you did. BTW- hormonal contraception is a Group 1 carcinogen – and can cause chemical abortions- so yes, stay away! God bless! Bernadette
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Bernadette. As for the perspective on the pill and sin, I believe these verses sum up my position:
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. 1 John 5:16-17
I believe the use of contraception falls into the above category, although there are definitely consequences in this life, but this actually comes under the idea that “whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” and so we are all very guilty of making decisions that are not according to faith almost every day.
This is why I believe this is something that must be worked out by each individual.
Nicely done. The historical trail from Sanger to our present problems is hard to refute!
One addition — You said that in days past, “Good girls said “NO” to their suitors.” Also in days past, good suitors never asked it of their ladies!
Thank you! True, the godly suitors didn’t ask, but even if one was tempted or an ungodly suitor did ask, even ungodly girls knew to say “no” because they knew it could mean pregnancy (I’m sure you already know this).
Wow! I love your post!!! Have you read Humanae Vitae? A very chilling foretelling of what society would turn into with birth control. He saw the writing on the wall! Thank you for speaking out! xo
Thank you for your encouragement! Actually, I have read it–even though I am not Catholic, I found it very insightful.
Tragically, this form of “birth control” has been reported by girls and young women who have managed to escape from Daesh. The girls are forcibly given oral/injected hormones so that do not become pregnant. Welfare of girls and babies is NOT the basis for this. Perpetual “availability” for perpetual slavery of the most abhorrent kind is the basis of the hormonal contraception. Being passed from one man to another with no respite is the horrific result.
These poor girls are in unimaginable bondage. The men continue in a life of bestial behaviour. Even some mothers assist their sons in maintaining “available” slaves, by taking the girls to hospital for pregnancy tests & contraception (and sometimes abortion).
What an unholy mess for all! And what to do?
Pray to God to set the captives free. And that includes the captors & their families too. He is able to change stony hearts; He is able to heal the broken of heart and spirit.
Doesn’t your heart ache for those poor people? I can’t imagine how the Father’s heart is grieved. God help us to be part of the solution however small that may be.
“The prayers of a righteous man availeth much”. Availeth isn’t a word used very often these days, which helps draw attention its full meaning. And we are righteous through Jesus, not in our own right. So our little prayers are large. 🙂
Amen.
Interesting article. I have heard all of this before, and it is amazing how this simple medication has impacted society. It is indisputable that it CAN be used for evil; however, many things in this world can be used for evil OR good. Like the internet! As a mother of two, I have been through extreme postpartum anxiety and depression. I am SO THANKFUL for birth control! I am blessed enough to be super fertile, and have no doubt that without birth control, I would be pregnant non-stop. Some of us are called to ministry – by limiting the number of biological children we have, we can make ourselves available to serve the Lord and share the gospel. If I have ten kids, I could do a great job to disciple them for the next two decades… or with only two kids, I could disciple dozens! Some people don’t even get married in order to serve the Lord. Just because there is an OPPORTUNITY to procreate doesn’t mean that we are denying God if we choose not to procreate. Is the unmarried denying God by not getting married, but instead sacrificing their life to serve the Lord? Of course not! And so, I think it is a stretch to imply that Christians who are serving the Lord are sinning against Him by limiting their family, whether for health reasons, mental health reasons, financial reasons, etc. I have known several families who have fallen apart because the parents thought they were supposed to have a large family, but couldn’t keep their marriage together while trying to parent 6 kids with the expectations of the modern world. We live in a different world, with medical advances ensuring usually ALL of our children will survive to adulthood, so you don’t need to pop out 10 kids to ensure that 3 or 4 will survive to take care of mom and dad in their old age. Also, current society expects much more that just turning out honest God fearing farmers. It’s important to help each child pass math, history, science, and even attend a 4 year college in order for that child to be able to provide for his or her own family one day. Each child must take driver’s ed, learn to do taxes, learn to use the internet safely, and learn to navigate an incredibly complex social network safely. That takes a LOT for energy for a parent for EACH child. I would rather raise two children well to honor God than 6 children poorly. I don’t think it’s “holding back God”. God throughout the Bible gives us principles of wisdom to live by, yet expects each of us to make our own decisions about who to marry, what career to choose, what church to attend, what car to buy, what college degree to pursue. I believe in this modern era, that God expects us to apply the same principles to deciding whether to have children, and how many we believe we can responsibly take on.
If you can imagine, having 15 children has helped me to hear these types of arguments over and over. It is not damning to use birth control; God still loves those who do. It just lessens the ways available to God to work and pour out His providential provision. Children are a blessing, period.
I think you have made the point rather sweetly, here & elsewhere, that it is beneficial to look first at what God requires of us. This relieves us of the huge burden of dubious essentials that the modern world expects of us.
The things that I really appreciate from my own Mum: teaching me to pray, teaching me to read, teaching me to read the Bible. Ours was not a home schooling family. These three things have stood me in good stead all my life and are the basics for my home schooled family. They are not the only things in our repertoire by any means. I think these are uncomplicated goals and “do-able” with any number of children and on any budget.
I think you are advocating trusting our God. I have the impression that God has shaped you in the midst of your large family, & I have been encouraged that you weren’t ever perfect mummy material. You have, however, allowed God to show Himself strong at your time of weakness and providential in your time of need.
And, at risk of backhanded compliment, your intelligent posts show that mothers & members of large families aren’t semi-literate hayseeds. Rather: interesting, informed, edifying company. 🙂
Thank you for your sweet reply. You had a smart mum.
Thank you for posting on this subject. I have read about this before but I really enjoyed the way you delivered this. It has encouraged me. I am a young mom to four boys which we homeschool. Our family would be bigger but two of my babies were born premature during two different pregnancies and passed away shortly after. My husband and I have been convicted to leave our family size in the wise Lord’s hands (meaning we don’t use birth control). I am very fertile and my pregnancies just like my babies have been very healthy, but ultimately THE LORD IS THE GIVER AND TAKER OF LIFE. I wanted to share my story because some people seem to think that not using birth control will automatically lead to many children and that might not always be the case. The Lord is good and He knows best and when you put your trust in him he will transform you and always provide for you.
Thank you, Paulette, these issues are not easy to deal with, and each one has our own story as we walk with God in this life. It was good to hear yours.
I am certain that the pill is evil. Besides what you said, there is another problem with the pill. In some cases it’s contraceptive role fails, and then comes into action the backup mechanism, which is abortive. My english is very poor, so I copy from an article: ” first, it was supposed to prevent ovulation; second, in case ovulation did occur, the pill’s backup mechanism was designed to prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg; finally, the backup to the backup was to render the uterine wall inhospitable to any accidental zygote that may have formed if the first two steps failed.” For me, this is a very important problem. And is not a story, I found this information in contraceptive leaflets
This is a very important point, and one that many pro-life people are ignorant of. Thank you for pointing it out. By the way, your English is very good!
In the book “Lies Women Believe” Nancy Leigh Demoss calls birth control the “mother” of abortion. That impacted me in a huge way. I had never thought of it like that before. My husband an I were considering birth control before marriage. There were so many voices telling us that we shouldn’t get pregnant for at least a year. So as the wedding day got closer we realized we would have to make a choice soon. After praying and talking we decided against it and I’m so glad. The thing I remember saying (and it still encompasses my feelings) is, “I don’t want to say no to God.” I find it so strange now that it felt almost revolutionary at the time. We were revolting against the “acceptable” path. We have been married six and a half years and have three children and people already make comments about how we’re done having kids, right??!! That always fills me with mixed emotions, a smile that starts way down deep (because the absurdity of it is just laughable) and a deep aching sorrow that this can be the view point even in the church. That our opinion and wants could ever surpass the omnipotence and goodness of our loving God.
I wasn’t aware of the mention in “Lies Women Believe.” I agree that it is hard to believe we in the church have accepted a viewpoint that takes away from the intents of God, and also one of His first directives to mankind to “Be fruitful and multiply.” It really strikes me as absurd among those who claim to walk in the faith of God. I suppose having 15 children seems quite ridiculous to most, but God just might have to bless a few of us bountifully in order to shake things up a bit.