CONSERVATIVE PROTESTANTISM AND ATTITUDES TOWARD FAMILY-PLANNING IN A SAMPLE OF SEMINARIANS

We begin by developing arguments linking aspects of Conservative Prote stant theology with attitudes toward family planning. We then develop a theoretical model, and test hypotheses distilled from this model usi ng data on a sample of Protestant seminary students (base N = 635) dra wn in 1995-96. As expected, seminarians from Conservative Protestant d enominations are less supportive of family planning than their mainlin e counterparts, although respondents in both groups express broadly fa vorable views of family planning. This observed denominational pattern is accounted for by the diaproportionate tendency of fundamentalist a nd evangelical students to view the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. In turn, the strong relationship between inerrancy and family plannin g attitudes seems to reflect the inclination of inerrantists: (a) to i nterpret a key fertility-related passage, Gen. 1:28a, as a command and /or a blessing from God directed at individuals and couples; and (b) t o harbor more conservative attitudes regarding human sexuality. Severa l alternative explanations for the denominational variations in family planning attitudes are also explored. We conclude by discussing the i mplications of our findings for future research on Conservative Protes tant attitudinal distinctiveness, and on the links between religion an d health issues.