Birth Quote by Susan Jacoby
“It is easy to forget, since the Catholic Church is now the only large American religious denomination whose ecclesiastical hierarchy continues to oppose birth control, that only a century ago the leaders of nearly all churches were united in their resistance to any public discussion of the subject.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Age of Consent: A History of Birth Control in America, Susan Jacoby, 1997
The quote highlights how the Catholic Church remains uniquely opposed to birth control while historically most Christian denominations shared similar resistance to public discussion of the issue.
In simple terms: Catholic Church is now the only major US denomination still opposing birth control publicly, unlike most churches a century ago.
Key Takeaway
Recognize historical shifts in religious attitudes toward sexual health.
Themes
religion
sexual health
history
public policy
social change
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
historical
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- church leadership meetings
- policy debates
- public health campaigns
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
institutional authority
cultural norms
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How have religious teachings on sexuality evolved over the last century?
- What factors drive a denomination’s stance on public health issues?
A Different Perspective
Other denominations have also opposed birth control at times, so the claim of uniqueness may oversimplify.
