What is the difference between natural family planning & contraception?

[RMallory]

Please explain the difference betwen NFP and other forms of contraception. My understanding is contraception is any process that seeks to deny the process of conception, which is fulfilled by NFP as well. Why is one acceptable and the other is not?

 

[Reginald_Plum]

Richard,

These links should be helpful in understanding the difference between artificial birth control and natural family planning and when and why NFP is acceptable for a married couple to use to avoid pregnancy. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please contact Catholic Answers directly.

Recommended Reading:
Why is NFP okay?http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=20169
What is the moral difference between contraception by artificial means and NFP?http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=20169
If Onan was struck down for wasting his seed, why is NFP OK?http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=20169
Contraceptives and Natural Family Planninghttp://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=20169
Must a couple have “grave reason” to use NFP?http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=20169
Is NFP OK for birth control or only for spacing births?

Recommended Resources:
Birth Control from the Catholic Answers Library
God, Sex, and Babies by Christopher West
Love, Sex, and Babies by Jason Evert
Good News About Sex and Marriage by Christopher West (book)