This posthumous collection of Gandhi's statements about birth control is historically interesting but more or less useless to anyone hoping for the wise insight of a Mahatma on the current sex-education or abortion controversies. Proponents of abstinence-only education will be pleased to learn that Gandhi was firmly on their side and presented many arguments not only against contraceptives but for complete chastity. However, they will (I hope) be disappointed to realize that all of these arguments are complete rubbish.

Arguments are as follows:

1. Sexuality is unnatural. Persons who indulge in sexual intercourse, regardless of love for their partners or their marital status, without the sole purpose of procreation are raising their bestial nature above their spiritual nature. (Beasts, on the other hand, never engage in sexual practices for any purpose other than to procreate.)

2. Women's sex drive is significantly lower than men's. As such, "the only difference between a prostitute and a woman using contraceptives" is the number of men to which each sells her body. It is the responsibility of women to understand that they have the right to resist sexual approaches. Gandhi does not explain how women are to resist, beyond saying "no."

3. The universal use of contraceptives would be "racial suicide," not a physical death, but--what is worse--the moral death of refusing to face the consequence of self-indulgent actions. Likewise, overpopulation, unwanted children, etc. are punishment for self-indulgence.

4. The only Right Way of birth control is Brahmacharya, the perfect control not only of one's sexuality but of the entirety of one's body and mind. Because Gandhi (and, we assume, his wife, whose opinions are never mentioned) and a few other people he knows have to some degree achieved Brahmacharya, it is desirable and within the grasp of everyone in the world.

5. The sexual aspect of Brahmacharya results in an ideal state of health and energy because of the conservation of the seminal fluid, which because of its immense procreative properties is therefore equivalent to "creative energy of the highest order." This applies to women too. Sexual indulgence leads to weakness and effeminacy. ( )