A Commentary on John Paul II’s Assertion: “Contraception and Abortion are Fruits of the Same Tree, and are Hallmarks of a Culture of Death”

Abstract

In these modern days, more and more methods and techniques are developed by science and medicine about birth control. Among these methods are contraceptive methods and abortion which have become normative in many parts of the world. Many people argue that contraception reduces the rate of abortion. However, John Paul II mentioned that “contraception and abortion are fruits of the same tree, and are hallmarks of a culture of death”. This article will be a commentary on John Paul II’s assertion. It will be divided into three main parts. The first part will be about definitions of some key terms of John Paul II’s assertion. That is to say what is meant by the “culture of death”, abortion and contraception? The second part will try to elaborate on contraception and abortion as “fruits of the same tree”. And the last part will point out how to understand contraception and abortion as “hallmarks of a culture of death”.