Stand of other religious groups
Bernales, E.H.
Population Forum Monthly Newsletter of the Commission on Population 6(3): 12-13
1980
PMID: 12337557 Document Number: 460246
It has been 12 years since the papal encyclical "Humanae Vitae" was issued continuing the Catholic Church's opposition to mechanical methods of birth control. 10 individuals are interviewed as to their attitude toward the Church's teaching regarding birth control. The individuals are identified by name and occupation in some cases; there is no indication of where in the world they live or how representative their views are of the majority of Catholics. Views range from completely supportive of to completely opposed to the view of the encyclical. 1 individual felt that work toward economic development rather than control of population through artificial means would be most successful. Another opposed artificial means of birth control because of their adverse effects and the possibility that Western nations might be trying to control the growth rates of developing countries. Natural family planning, i.e., the rhythm method, was favored by 1 as a means of promoting husband-wife dialogue. Another mistrusted the rhythm method as unreliable. Several others felt that the Church must face the present, realize the problem of uncontrolled population growth in the world, and condone family limitation.