The most explicit Scriptural foundation behind the immorality of contraception comes very early in the Bible, in the book of Genesis. Under levirate law, Onan was obligated to father children for his dead brother: “Then Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.’ But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife he spilled the semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother. And what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD, and he slew him also” (Gen 38:9-10).
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