Biblical teaching may be more effective than free condoms

Editor - A new report from the United Nations has shown Britain as having the second highest birth rate among teenagers in the developed world, second only to the United States.¹ The increasing availability of sex information and contraception to young people does therefore not seem to be achieving its desired effect.

In the bible, God encourages sex, but only within marriage. He does not do this just for the fun of it. I believe that as our Maker he knows, and wants to protect us from, the painful consequences of extramarital sex—emotional grief, sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancies.

This week has seen reports of schools giving out free contraception to pupils, and thus in my view endorsing sex at school age, as the latest bid to reduce the rising teenage pregnancy rate. I think that the reintroduction of some basic biblical teaching and values into schools would be far more effective than giving out free condoms.

1. Brennan K. Britain is worst in Europe for teenage pregnancy rates. studentBMJ 2002;10:223. (July.)