Anyone else here think of NFP as a bad idea?

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

I for one have a hard time seeing how most couples that practice NFP can do so with a contraceptive mentality.

NFP requires sacrifice and discipline. I think sacrifice and discipline bring virtue to a marriage. If a couple were doing NFP with a contraceptive mentality, it would be really easy to abandon.

As for serious reasons, I think the Church leaves that up to the discretion of the couple…what circumstance is serious for one couple, might not be for another couple.

But as for NFP being “Catholic Contraception” I don’t believe it at all…it’s like saying fasting at Lent is a “Catholic Weight Loss Program”. It isn’t.

**
:clapping: Well said!!!

As many forum readers know, hubby and I use NFP and it is a struggle, a sacrifice, and in no way shape or form “easy”. And I was recently accused of using it with a contraceptive mentality, and that stings. I used to contracept. So I can speak from both sides…and this in no way resembles contraception.

Another important point that people often miss out on is the concept of “obedience”. Many times, obedience comes BEFORE understanding. Some couples may follow NFP only because they are trying to be obedient to the Church teachings…but that is still better than just using contraception because they don’t fully understand the teachings.

Everyone is at a different point on their spiritual jouney. We need to focus on our own, instead of everyone else’s.**

 

[kevinsgirl]

I am also wondering how NFP messes with the body’s natural processes? To me it’s the exact opposite…you have a natural cycle, unlike women on ABC, and you learn how to interpret the signs of fertility in an unobtrusive way.

I’m not sure about this either. I mean NFP is just observations. That’s it. Well, and then you write them down.

 

[alavenderluvbug]

I think NFP is a GREAT idea because it is the method the Church has given us to use.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

Basically the concept of messing around with the natural processes of the body. Anything that does that makes me suspicious.

Hmm, this would be an argument against artificial birth control. ABC really messes up the natural processes of the body, but taking one’s temperature, or recording any other information about one’s body is in no way messing up the natural processes of the body. The pill, with all its hormones and the way it manipulates and confuses the body? yeah. A thermometer? no.

Anyways, using NFP to avoid is only a bad idea if its being used selfishly, without just/serious reasons to do so. In our family are lucky to not have any reasons right now, but if in the future we did need to avoid, NFP would be a Godsend ( pun intended ).

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

A thermometer? no.

Not to mention that some methods of NFP don’t require temp taking. In those cases it’s even less “invasive” (for lack of a better word). It is simply about observation. Just as we naturally observe other body signs (tummy grumbling-are we hungry? runny nose- are we getting sick? etc etc etc)