Religious Controversies on Contraception and Ethics - Essay Example

Religious groups such as Wheaton College claim that ACA policy that faith-based institutions should cover contraception is a violation of their religious freedom. However, these institutions forget that as much as a careful consideration is demanded by freedom of religion, so does the right of employees and students to obtain safe and affordable healthcare services. In other words, institutions like Wheaton College may be right to protect their religious freedom; however, they should consider the unethical bit of denying students their rights to medical coverage.

Moreover, just as commented by Hollinger, there is much that can be commended in the Biblical teachings that sex is fundamentally procreative. However, birth control can be given defense through the use of contraceptive devices that are fundamentally not immoral. Wheaton College before exercising their complete removal of birth control coverage should consider this aspect. WHO estimates that provision of contraception to women living in developing nations can prevent 54 million unintended pregnancies, 7 million miscarriages, and 26 million abortions (whereby 16 million would be risky abortions).

WHO therefore emphasizes that this would prevent infant mortality and maternal mortality (79, 000 maternal deaths). Generally, these statistics prove that most women rely on contraceptives for medical purposes, for instance, women may rely on birth control pills to help the lower menstrual pain, prevent migraines, and treat excessive bleeding.