Edge of Reason Debates: Contraception and God

So, we had our first "Edge of Reason" or EoR debate. The topic was ... Contraception and fertility treatments in all their forms interfere with God’s action and are therefore inappropriate for Christians.

The debate did not go well. There was very little reference to source and other than vague counterarguments there certainly was not a debate in the sense of point-counterpoint.

We did get the debate converted into a discussion where the majour points were made but we will need to work a bit more on our debating skills. The other issue with the debates is that they are an opportunity for people that are hesitant to speak in class to contribute (as is this blog). As we continue into the course those students that do not contribute will get low subjective evaluation marks.

With respect to the debate topic the expected progression (with reference to sources) was:

Theists have a position on the sanctity of life that should inform the KIND of contraception (barrier, chemical, abortificant).
Theists have a belief in an immanent God that can participate in procreation.
Theists believe that God wants us to enjoy a sexual relationship with our life partners.
Theists (some at least) believe that (like lightning rods) science has revealed blessings from Creation to help us enjoy life ... that includes contraception.
Atheistic science pretty much has a different morality and ethic based on reductionism and a profound materialist view that this life is all there is.

Christians in good conscience disagree about contraception mostly on the issue of the sovereignty of God in procreation and the role of an immanent God in our lives.

So, it isn't so much that there is a "Right" or "Wrong" position on contraception but that as thinking Christians we can articulate why we have our position consistent with our worldview and personal theology.