Topic: Birth Control

You and your classmates differ widely in your familiarity with this topic.

1) You may be unmarried and have not thought much about it yet.

2) You may be married with a family and have used birth control at some point.

3) You may have been badly disappointed by some method of birth control.

4) You may view birth control use as unscriptural. Can you see the high value in doing some research on this as a group and then-lovingly, humbly, and modestly-sharing your conclusions with each other? This could be a tremendously valuable discussion, especially for the younger members of the course. This is an opportunity for ministry.

To prepare for this discussion, do research using 4 reference sources:

• Scriptural statements about life's sanctity and God's authority over creation of life
• The section on "Control of Birth" in your textbook's chapter on human reproduction
• The course presentation entitled "Birth Control Issues"
• Trusted websites considering birth control issues/methods

Below is a set of 6 general categories of birth control that you will evaluate for your classmates:

1. Pills/patches/rings (estrogen and progestin based)
2. Sympto-thermal and condom/diaphragm
3. Intrauterine devices (such as ParaGard, Mirena)
4. Surgical - vasectomy (male sterilization)
5. Surgical - tubal ligation (female sterilization)
6. Male withdrawal during sexual relations

Preparing for your thread:

Compare each of these 6 categories against the following 4 criteria:

1. Protects the rare new life formed while the method is in use
2. Protects maternal (paternal?) health
3. Is reversible
4. Is effective

It is assumed that these 4 criteria are not equally important. Ignore the following criteria: value in preventing STDs, cost, and ease of use.

Choose the category of birth control that you discover to represent the best balance of these 4 criteria. Assume that you are selecting this birth control for a young, married woman with no unusual sexual health issues. Avoid exceptional personal experiences by generalizing from the 4 reference sources above.

Writing your thread:

Either: Represent your choice using 3 numbered sentences: Sentence 1 (very short) states the category you have chosen. Sentence 2 (using many phrases) explains the principle virtues of your category based on the above 4 criteria. Sentence 3 lists the single greatest limitation of your category. No personal experiences/stories. Limit is 100 words total within the 3 sentences.

Or: If you categorically will/would not use any birth control method, use your sentences in the following way: Sentence 1 states your position and gives a biblical passage (reference only) that urges you toward your position. Sentence 2 explains which category of birth control least offends you and why. Sentence 3 explains which category of birth control most troubles you and why.

Know Your Category Boundaries!!

Be particularly sensitive and thoughtful. Kindly question your classmates' views on contraception. Gently raise issues left unaddressed. Please don't go down rabbit trails on susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases, various adulterous situations, or early pre-menopausal situations. We're trying to help "young married women" who are presumed to be in reasonably normal health. If you really want the profit from this board, you have to wait till next week and read the whole thing!

Be Nice!

As we approach our last discussion board, let's remember to follow these guidelines in our communications with other students:

1. Let's make comments from a thoughtful caring and respectful posture.

2. Let's avoid vulgar, sexist, racist, or other objectionable language.

3. Criticize without insulting.

4. Present accurate ideas using accurate spelling and grammar. Do not write in all caps.

5. Do not share e-mail addresses without permission.

6. Be careful about sharing your own usernames and passwords.

7. Consider the possibility that a holy God reads what you write.

Must be no more than 100 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge.