For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16 ESV
I know many Christians are very concerned about abortion, and rightfully so. But it occurred to me that there is another issue that may have been affecting our culture even more subtly and for a longer period of time: the birth control pill. A quick internet search will reveal that the invention of “the pill” is universally lauded as a wonderful advancement of women’s rights, equality, preventing so many miserable, unwanted lives of “unplanned” human beings. I am not a theological doctor and have heard some pastors who I respect say there is nothing wrong with birth control in a committed marriage. But I understand enough about human biology to wonder what the effects are of pumping a large and important portion of our society full of powerful, behaviour altering hormones. We outlaw anabolic steroids for athletes because they have negative side effects and seem like an unfair advantage. But again, search for negative side effects of the pill and you will find nothing but glowing reviews of how it prevents everything from cancer to acne. But if you look at the incidence of breast cancer and compare it with the prevalence of hormonal birth control it appears there is some positive association. I don’t have all the answers, certainly, but I am asking the questions. What effect has widespread hormonal birth control had upon society? We lament the breakdown of the family unit, the apparent hedonism of our culture, drugs, prostitution and violent crime, the worshiping of musical and sports idols instead of Jesus Christ. Some point to the entertainment industry: movies, TV, music, video games, etc. But what role has “risk-free” sexual libertinism played in the path of global culture?
To bring it a little closer to home, I personally can vouchsafe that when my wife is on birth-control it does affect her personality, moods, and actions. I think that is what got me thinking down this line of thought. When we were trying to have a child, she was happier, more active, more loving, the food she cooked tasted better, even our children could see the changes. Once she decided it wasn’t going to happen her doctor dutifully put her back on the pill and she became more like my cherished friend and a little less like my loving wife. Yes, this is anecdotal. Yes, it could be me. But think about what is going on societially now: we are preparing to pump hormones into children in an effort to change their birth genders to match their psychology. Is this not the endgame of gender based hormonal treatment? According to medicine, the birth control pill is female hormones, which you would think would make a woman more fertile, not less. It seems to me that birth control pills actually make women more like men, since men can’t get pregnant and view sex as generally risk-free (outside of going to hell which most don’t believe is real).
I’m just saying, its worth thinking about.