Different religious views about contraception
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different Christian teachings and views on contraception and family planning.
Key learning points
- There are ethical questions to ask when considering the use of contraception and family planning.
- Christians may use different sources of authority and teachings to answer these questions, which leads to diverse views.
- Some Christians use situation ethics to work out the most loving decision and/or look to Bible teachings.
- Roman Catholic Christians may use Humanae Vitae and use an absolutist approach to Natural Law for these issues.
- Social science methods help to find out people’s views on these issues, including the use of surveys and interviews.
Keywords
Absolutist - someone with the belief that there are certain actions that are always right or always wrong
Contraception - precautions taken to prevent pregnancy
Family planning - regulation of births; planning when to have a family and how many children to have by using birth control and /or contraception
Procreate (procreation) - having a child; seen as a duty in many religions
Situation ethics - an ethical theory which argues that the most loving action should guide decisions in each situation, rather than following fixed rules or laws
Common misconception
All members of a Christian denomination follow all its teachings.
Christians may use their conscience to decide which teachings to follow or not.
Teacher tip
Students need to remember to use a source of authority in their answers, so using quizzes can help pupils to remember and retrieve these.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an example of hormonal contraception?
Q2.Which of these is not a type of artificial contraception?
Q3.Which statement best describes surgical contraception?
Q4.What is the main purpose of natural family planning?
Q5.Why might humanists support the use of contraception?
Q6. contraception refers to methods that do not involve medical or artificial intervention.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which Christian teaching supports the idea that humans should have children?
Q2.What does the Catholic Church say about contraception?
Q3.Why do some Catholics follow Natural Law when deciding on contraception?
Q4.Which Christian ethical approach focuses on the most loving decision rather than on fixed rules?
Q5.The Catholic Church accepts the use of the method, which relies on a woman’s natural cycle to prevent pregnancy.
Q6.Some Christians believe that using contraception is acceptable because it follows the principle of love, which means selfless and unconditional care for others.
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Different religious views about contraception, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Different religious views about contraception, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Relationships and families unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.