Family planning is embraced by religions across the spectrum as a moral good and a basic human right. The world's religions recognize that planning families protects the health of women and children, reduces child and spousal abuse, and prevents unintended pregnancies.

"Religious" Right political organizations, which have made abortion a political issue, defy logic—and decency—by trying to undermine family planning. They conduct aggressive campaigns to reduce funding for clinics, restrict adolescents’ access to contraception, and allow religiously affiliated health care providers to refuse to provide family planning services—even when they accept public funding and participate in public health programs.

The same groups are also trying to eliminate U.S. funding for family planning services in the developing world—despite the fact that an estimated 165 million women around the world want to limit or space their children and do not have access to family planning services.

Religious support for contraception and family planning is consistent with faith principles that give primacy to well being, including the health of children, families and the community at large. Religions recognize that children fare far better when they are born into nurturing environments and families prepared for parenthood. In fact, many religions believe that family planning is a moral duty, a stance echoed by well-known leaders.

Religious Views on Contraception

Prevention First Act - A common sense way to prevent unintended pregnancy

January 25, 2007