Almost 9 in every 10 Americans consider birth control as 'highly acceptable,' survey shows

Although some Christians are worried that it might lead to a culture of promiscuity especially among the youth, the use of condoms, pills and other contraceptives seems to be a non-issue for a huge number of Americans.

Almost nine in every 10 residents of the United States regard birth control as "highly acceptable," a recent survey by the research-based consulting company Gallup revealed.

"Birth control is the issue that the largest percentage of Americans approves of, with 89 percent deeming it morally acceptable," Gallup said in a statement posted on its website explaining the results of telephone interviews it conducted on 1,025 adults in the U.S. from May 4 to 8, 2016.

Although both parties expressed large acceptance for birth control, a smaller percentage of Republicans (87 percent) approve of contraception compared to Democrats (94 percent).

The respondents identified eight issues—most of which run counter to Christian teachings—as "largely acceptable."

Among these issues is divorce, which 72 percent of the survey respondents say is morally acceptable. On this issue, the gap across political lines is more evident: 67 percent of Republicans agree with divorce while 83 percent of Democrats support this way of ending marriages.

Another "largely acceptable" issue is sex between an unmarried man and woman, considered to be not problematic by 67 percent of Americans. The same percentage of respondents also consider gambling as acceptable.

Having a baby outside marriage is also considered as morally acceptable by 62 percent of the respondents. Sixty percent meanwhile view gay or lesbian relations, and medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos, as tolerable.

Fifty-nine percent of the survey participants likewise say the death penalty, as well as buying and wearing clothes made of animal fur, ought to be allowed.

Four major issues remain "highly unacceptable"—suicide, polygamy, human cloning, and married men and women having an affair.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
related articles
Essure female contraceptive device has killed over 300 unborn children and should no longer be sold — U.S. lawmaker
Essure female contraceptive device has killed over 300 unborn children and should no longer be sold — U.S. lawmaker

Essure female contraceptive device has killed over 300 unborn children and should no longer be sold — U.S. lawmaker

U.S. high school girls using IUDs less likely to use condoms, exposing them to STDs, new study shows
U.S. high school girls using IUDs less likely to use condoms, exposing them to STDs, new study shows

U.S. high school girls using IUDs less likely to use condoms, exposing them to STDs, new study shows

Paralysed US Supreme Court dodges decision on Obamacare birth control
Paralysed US Supreme Court dodges decision on Obamacare birth control

Paralysed US Supreme Court dodges decision on Obamacare birth control

Big majority of Americans think state of U.S. moral values is getting worse, Gallup survey shows
Big majority of Americans think state of U.S. moral values is getting worse, Gallup survey shows

Big majority of Americans think state of U.S. moral values is getting worse, Gallup survey shows

Catholic leaders ask: Did Facebook censor religious as well as conservative news?
Catholic leaders ask: Did Facebook censor religious as well as conservative news?

Catholic leaders ask: Did Facebook censor religious as well as conservative news?

News
Royal College of Nursing criticised for display of trans flag
Royal College of Nursing criticised for display of trans flag

Typically a flag denotes the ownership of a tribe or group over an area.

Christians call for ceasefire amid DRC's Ebola crisis
Christians call for ceasefire amid DRC's Ebola crisis

So far 131 people have been killed by the outbreak.

Without a culture shift, Christian street preachers will continue to be arrested
Without a culture shift, Christian street preachers will continue to be arrested

Christian street preachers are almost invariably arrested under a section of law that was originally intended to deal with football hooliganism.

Thoughts on Ruth
Thoughts on Ruth

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on poor judges and famine through the lens of the book of Ruth.