Abortion & Birth Control

The Baha'i Faith provides answers appropriate for our day and age.  Two of the many moral and ethical questions for our society today concern abortion and birth control. Typically, when asked these questions, Bahá'í's will turn to the Bahá'í Writings, followed by careful thought and consideration of what they have read. Then after some prayer and discussion with other Bahá'í's as to their interpretation(s), each follower of the Faith will arrive at their own conclusion. Some might find it surprising, but these conclusions are usually very similar, and agreement over the interpretation of the Writings is often easily reached.

"Chastity is not just a highly placed virtue, but a necessity."

 Sex Before Marriage...
The Bahá'í Faith has very specific teachings regarding sex. Chastity before marriage is not just a highly placed virtue, but a necessity.

"He is my true follower who, if he come to a valley of pure gold, will pass straight through it aloof as a cloud, and will neither turn back nor pause. ... And if he meet the fairest and most comely of women, he would not feel his heart seduced by the least shadow of desire for her beauty. Such a one, indeed, is the creature of spotless chastity."
-- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, page 118

"...concerning the Bahá'í attitude toward the problem of sex and its relation to marriage... The Bahá'í Teachings on this matter, which is of such vital concern and about which there is such a wide divergency of views, are very clear and emphatic. Briefly stated the Bahá'í conception of sex is based on the belief that chastity should be strictly practiced by both sexes, not only because it is in itself highly commendable ethically, but also due to its being the only way to a happy and successful marital life. Sex relationships of any form outside marriage are not permissible therefore, and whoso violates this rule will not only be responsible to God, but will incur the necessary punishment from society."
-- Lights of Guidance, page 1157

"The proper use of the sex instinct is the natural right of every individual, and it is precisely for this purpose that the institution of marriage has been established."
- Lights of Guidance, page 1156 

 Abortion...
One who observes chastity has no need of an abortion except in rare circumstances. Regrettably, in todays society, abortions are most often used as a means of terminating an unwanted pregnancy, simply to avoid the responsibility which comes from having sex.

"Abortion and surgical operations for the purpose of preventing the birth of unwanted children are forbidden in the Cause unless there are circumstances which justify such actions on medical grounds, in which case the decision, at present, is left to the consciences of those concerned who must carefully weigh the medical advice in light of the general guidance given in the Teachings. Beyond this nothing has been found in the Writings concerning specific methods or procedures to be used in family planning."
-- Lights of Guidance, page 1155

 Birth Control...
Birth control is left to the discretion of (married) individuals. However, the Teachings state that the soul appears at conception, and that therefore it would be improper to use such a method, the effect of which would be to produce an abortion after conception has taken place.
-- Lights of Guidance, page 1155