The International Humanist & Ethical Union, assembled at its 8th World Congress in Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, August 1-5, 1982, is of the opinion that the continuously growing number of births is a fundamental cause for hunger and mass-suffering on earth.
World-wide birth control by means of immediate and effectual action is necessary to fight the hunger in this world. The unrestrained growth of the world population may be the end of mankind. In countries with a high birth rate more instruction, material encouragement and easily accessible methods of contraception are very necessary. This has to be pursued in spite of religious or ideological opposition.
Action is particularly important when one considers that e.g. the Roman Catholic Church regards families as a blessing of God and abortion – whatever the reasons for it – as murder.
The world religions are unable to solve this problem. The appeal to and dependence on supernatural powers are ineffective. Only human insight and action can prevent a catastrophe.
IHEU Congress 1982
'World-wide birth control', Humanists International, World Humanist Congress, Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany