Some Protestants find spiritual appeal in natural family planning

Here is the start of an interesting article from the Austin-American Statesman regarding how Natural Family Planning, often seen as being a "Catholic" method of birth control, is actually a viable option for Protestant Christians.

While I applaud the writer's approach to find some common ground between Catholics and Protestants regarding Natural Family Planning, especially the point that there are great benefits to utilizing the NFP method, not all facts in the article are correct.

Let me quickly state that the use of NFP, if done correctly, is more effective than any other method of birth control. When Mother Theresa was teaching the NFP method to Muslims and Hindus in Calcutta, they had a pregnancy rate of 0.004%. You can't get better results from any other method, but you can get all the undesirable and harmful side-effects of those other methods.

Secondly, one of the women interviewed (Tietz, a Baptist who lives in Oklahoma) stated that she did not believe that the pill causes abortions. I wish the writer had carried the balanced point that there is plenty of evidence to indicate that "the pill" kills.

Lastly, Sam and Bethany Torode spoke of the "dark side" of NFP being the extended periods of abstinence that they felt was more harmful to their marriage than good. I don't know for certain, but I'm almost willing to bet that they were sexually active before getting married. I say this because their statement implies that the welfare of their relationship rests on their ability to have sex whenever they desire. They fail to see that periods of abstinence are opportunities to build upon other aspects of their relationship together.

For those that would suggest that I'm full of hot air on this point, that being married means having the ability to have sex whenever they want, I'd like to point out that any couple that refrained from having sexual relations prior to marriage is also capable of refraining from sexual relations inside of marriage. For those that refrained prior to marriage, their relationship was apparently strong enough and built upon many other common ties that led them to the altar for marriage. I have a hard time believing that their relationship would be somehow weaker inside of marriage that they couldn't still rely on those other relational aspects. And even in those relationships where pre-marital sex and sex-on-demand have been a part of their relationship, NFP provides a wonderful opportunity to explore those other relational aspects in greater depth.

My wife adds that having the ability to abstain from sex during those fertile periods is also an excellent exercise at controling sexual urges. Why is this important? Well, if you can abstain from sex within marriage, you can also resist sexual urges that may come from a person that tempts you to have an affair.

After reading this article, I invite you to review the resources in my earlier post on this topic to learn more about Natural Family Planning. Be sure to also learn more about the relationship-building benefits of NFP, not just the fertility aspects of NFP.

Taking a page from Catholic doctrine, Protestants are avoiding artificial contraception for religious reasons

By Eileen E. Flynn
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Phaedra Taylor abstained from sex until marriage. But she began researching birth control methods before she was even engaged, and by the time she married David Taylor, she was already charting her fertility.

Taylor, a fresh-faced 28-year-old who would blend in easily with South Austin bohemians, ruled out taking birth control pills after reading a book that claimed the pill could, in some cases, make the uterus uninhabitable after conception occurred. She viewed that as abortion, which she opposes.

"I just wasn't willing to risk it," she said.

Taylor wanted her faith to guide her sexual and reproductive decisions after marriage. Natural family planning felt like the best way to honor God, she said.

The Taylors are one of several couples at Hope Chapel — a nondenominational church where David Taylor, 36, was the arts minister for 12 years — who practice natural family planning. Christian scholars say they may reflect a growing trend among non-Catholic Christians who are increasingly seeking out natural alternatives to artificial contraception.

Natural family planning is frequently dismissed by Protestants as an outmoded Catholic practice that most Catholics don't even follow anymore. But 40 years after Pope Paul VI released Humanae Vitae, the document outlining the church's position on marital sex and procreation, the method and the theology behind it are earning respect among some young Protestants, according to Christian scholars.

The 1968 papal encyclical explains the church's interpretation of the moral and natural laws, which includes a prohibition against artificial contraception but allows couples who want to plan their children to "take advantage of the natural cycles immanent in the reproductive system and engage in marital intercourse ... during those times that are infertile."

This approach, for years known as the rhythm method because it relied on a calendar to track a woman's ovulation based on past cycles, underwent improvements over the years, becoming a more reliable system known as natural family planning.

The natural family planning movement among Protestants is difficult to quantify, but there appears to be growing interest, said the Rev. Amy Laura Hall, a Methodist minister and associate professor at Duke Divinity School.

READ MORE...

Once again, I invite you to review the resources in my earlier post on this topic to learn more about Natural Family Planning.

Recently Discovered Letter From Vatican Sent to Bishops Asking For Teaching Support on Humanae Vitae

I've been spending a lot of time on this subject, I know, but I had to bring it up once again. As noted in my earlier post regarding Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI knew the release of the encyclical was going to be difficult for the people to accept. A recently discovered letter was sent out to all of the Bishops prior to the release of HV along with an advance-copy of the encyclical. Sadly, even with this approach, many of the bishops of the time still chose to defy our Holy Father. I have posted the letter below.

It's unfortunate that its intended effect did not appear to gain any ground. However, there's a positive note to include in this post -- CatholicNewsAgency.com is reporting that a former encyclical protester has signed the ‘Humanae Vitae Pledge’. Welcome aboard sir! Your testimony will help lead many others back to the truth.

From the Vatican, July 19, 1968 Segreteria di Stato di Sua Santita

To the Presidents of Episcopal Conferences To Local Ordinaries

Your Excellency,

When directing me to transmit to Your Excellency the enclosed document, publication of which is imminent, His Holiness strongly recommended that I draw your attention to its importance, and to the necessity of a concerted effort on the part of the entire Catholic Episcopate, in order that the doctrine it contains be explained with care in full to the Christian people, and in order that it be courageously put into practice by all as, thanks be to God, it already is by many.

As you are aware, this is one of the most delicate questions of Catholic morals; it has been the object of numerous studies and controversies in recent years; and a reply in this matter was eagerly expected from the Sovereign Pontiff.

During all the period of preparation of this document, the Holy Father unceasingly kept in mind the mute imploration He felt was raised to Him by so many of His children, charged with families, and also by so many men of good will, desirous of a conjugal life conformed to the divine will. He felt acutely and painfully the conditions of life, lodging and work experienced by so many married couples in our day, and the difficult problems which the transmission of life consequently poses for them.

Yet it seemed more and more clear to Him every day that the greatest service He could render in this domain to Christendom and to all mankind was to re-propose in all its purity, with due consideration for recent scientific discoveries and the social evolution of our era, and the increasing appeal for "responsible parenthood", the constant teaching of the Church, for, seeking only the true good of man and of the family, she gives the problem in question its only true and profound solution.

The Holy Father knows full well the bitterness that this reply may cause many married persons who were expecting a different solution for their difficulties. It is precisely the solicitude for those souls in anguish, and the ardent desire to bring them light and solace, which caused the great delay in giving this reply. Mindful of the grave consequences entailed by a decision of this nature, the Common Father wished to study the entire question for Himself and in detail. For a long time He reflected, with respectful consideration, upon the results of the studies and discussions of the Commission charged with examining the various aspects of the problem; for a long time, He prayed. He consulted numerous wise and learned members of the Episcopate, of the clergy, of the laity; and all of this took months and even years.

And now He turns to His Brothers, the Bishops of the Catholic world, asking them to stand beside Him more firmly than ever in this circumstance, and to help Him present this delicate point of the Church's teaching to the Christian people, to explain and justify its profound reasons. The Pope counts upon the attachment of His Brothers in the Episcopate to the Chair of Peter, upon their love for the Church, upon their concern for the true good of souls.

He knows, as they do, the ideas and the practices existing in modern society in this regard, and He is fully aware of the efforts which will be needed to secure an evolution of thought on this point. He knows what sacrifices - sometimes heroic sacrifices - are entailed by the application of Catholic principles in conjugal morals. His desire would be that the Bishops, priests, Christian homes engaged in the various Catholic movements and organizations, should become in joyful docility the apostles of the teaching of their Holy Mother the Church, and succeed in finding the persuasive accents to make it acceptable.

May they strive to present this teaching in its true light, that is, to show its positive and beneficent aspect. What the Church wishes above all is to help Christian husbands and wives to perfect one another, to purify their love, to taste the happiness of a married life lived in the sight of God and in complete respect for His law.

They must be helped to understand all the spiritual enrichment represented by the effort of renunciation which is asked of them; they must be shown what a precious element it is in conjugal and social life, especially in times like ours which are invaded by hedonism, that great obstacle in the fulfillment of the evangelical ideal.

They must then be persuaded that it is possible, with the help of God - Who never exposes man to trials superior to his strength, to progress in chastity just as in the other virtues; and that possible failings, even if repeated, must not lead them to be discouraged, but much rather stimulate them to a methodical and loving effort towards self-mastery, and to more assiduous and confident recourse to the Sacraments.

Finally, it is necessary that both in the confessional and in the pulpit, in the press and by other means of social communication, every necessary pastoral effort be made that no ambiguity exists among the faithful or in public opinion concerning the Church's position in this serious matter. Faithful to the mandate she received to teach all nations, she puts her trust in Him who guides her, Whose will she is humbly confident of interpreting faithfully. She has no doubt that future generations will appreciate fully the importance and benefit of the service she renders to married couples, to the family, to all society, by defending this point of her doctrine without weakness.

Thus fulfilling the mission with which the Sovereign Pontiff has charged me, I assure Your Excellency of my prayers for your pastoral ministry, and remain with sentiments of high regard

Devotedly yours in Christ,
A.G. Card. Cicognani (Amleto Giovanni Cardinal Cicognani)

On the 40th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae

A message from Father John Corapi:

On the 40th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae

The Catholic Church is in the process of celebrating the 40th anniversary of the prophetic and landmark encyclical of Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, on human life. At the time the Holy Father promulgated the encyclical there was a general spirit of dissent in the air. This inspired document put the dissenters into yet a new orbit, even further from the center of Church teaching. Their lack of humility resulted in disobedience, ultimately resulting in moral death for them and countless others.

What has resulted from the rejection of the principles contained in this great document is a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions. “Life begins at conception. Abortion begins at artificial contraception.” Pope Paul VI prophetically predicted that if artificial contraception were to become generally acceptable in society, then abortion would inevitably become just another means of artificial contraception. Today, not only have what is approaching one billion children been murdered in the name of “choice” worldwide, but a host of incredible evils have followed in the wake of the rejection of the Holy Father’s teaching on life.

Pope John Paul II called abortion murder in the clear and inspired language of his encyclical Evangelium vitae. If a single abortion is homicide—and it is—then the cumulative result of abortion on demand is genocide. Numbers of innocent and helpless children totaling more than the population of large countries have been annihilated. Can a society that elevates such an outrage to the noble status of law be pleasing to God? Or, will God’s patience soon run out and visit an avalanche of natural disasters, wars, chaos, and economic collapse on the perpetrators of such violence and evil?

I have no doubt whatever that the Western world is headed for collapse and annihilation, and it will be by suicide, not at the hand of terrorists or enemy states—although that may well facilitate the demise. As Abraham Lincoln asserted, “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”

The Western world’s wholesale rejection of the teaching of “Humanae Vitae” ushered in a death wish that is even now well on its way to completion. Pseudo-Christian Europe has had an extremely low birthrate for decades, while the burgeoning Muslim population is growing exponentially. With the average European family having less than 2 children and the average Muslim family having 8-10 children it won’t be long until Europe as we know it will be no more. Muslims vote and they will vote to radically alter laws that facilitate gross immorality. God may use them to chastise a decadent West. I assure you they will not need bombs and bullets; mathematics will more than suffice.

The unspiritual person cannot see reality as it is, hence they cannot discern the advancing disaster of our rejection of both common sense and proper morality. The spiritual person must pray fervently for the Spirit of God to discern reality as it is. (i.e., 1 Corinthians 2:12-16). Things such as artificial contraception, abortion, homosexual sex, and euthanasia all have something in common—They have no life in them. They are part of a death wish that when brought to its inevitable conclusion will result in the annihilation of the West as we know it, if something isn’t done to change course immediately.

Every one of us, as disciples of Christ, must pray and sacrifice for the cause of life, and do so with earnest. The hour is late and time is now short. The battle between truth and lies, good and evil, life and death rages on toward its consummation. We know the ultimate outcome—truth, the good, and life is victorious in Christ the Conqueror. We, however, must fight the good fight. How we shall live forever is determined by how we live now. We are being called upon by the Spirit of God to be the saints of these times. How we respond to the call will dictate the rise and fall of nations, and the eternal salvation of many.

“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

God bless you,
Fr. John Corapi

40 Years of "Humanae Vitae"

On this, the 40th anniversary of the promulgation of the papal encyclical "Humanae Vitae (On Human Life)" on July 25th, 1968, allow for me to share some very important resources and thoughts surrounding this very important, if not prophetic, writing by Pope Paul VI (262nd Pontiff: 1963-1978). Humanae Vitae contains the basic teaching on birth control fundamental to Christian (not just Catholic) marriage and includes other uplifting topics such as the dignity of women.

First, I wouldn't be surprised if the secular media tries to spin this anniversary in a way that shows polls and interviews of countless "Catholics" who don't believe in the teachings of the Church with regards to contraception. Already one organization, the militant pro-abortion group "Catholics for Choice" (an organization that incorrectly defines itself as being "Catholic"), plans to write an open letter to the Pope criticizing Humanae Vitae. Thankfully there have been some responses to this group, such as the response by the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, but I still have my doubts that the secular media will give a balanced perspective.

The unfortunate truth is that there are a great multitude of people who have chosen to go against the teachings. They have their reasons for doing so, some of which are expressed as being because they believe the Catholic church to be "archaic" or "behind the times". But those people fail to understand that there isn't a choice when it comes to this or any other teaching of the faith. The teachings are always relevant throughout all of time.

Now I know that's a bold statement and hard for many to accept. But the fact remains that church teachings -- all of them, not just those on contraception -- have been passed down for over 2,000 years and are also based in natural law. Truth doesn't change because of new medicine or technology. Nobody has the authority to change revealed truth. It is what it is and we would be wise to abide in the truth.

When Pope Paul VI wrote Humanae Vitae, he wasn't coming up with something new. He wrote the encyclical to apply the existing natural law and church teachings to a new question -- whether or not contraception (of any kind) was moral and acceptable. In the encyclical, the Pope stated that contraception is intrinsically evil and warned us all of the consequences to marriage, families and society if contraception were accepted.

The Pope anticipated that many would not easily accept the teaching of his encyclical, but he did so because of the duty of the Church to proclaim the moral law. And sure enough, Americans and people around the world rejected the encyclical almost instantly after its release. Many held on to their sexual hedonism that still exists in today's society. And with the rejection of this teaching and acceptance of contraception, we have also come to witness the fulfillment of those predicted consequences.

For example, we now live in a society where sex on a first date is deemed acceptable, even glorified. The sacredness of sexuality has been reduced to a minor decision synonymous with where the couple plans to go for dinner or which movie they wish to view. In just a few decades, our society has largely abandoned any consideration to the moral implications of their sexual actions, choosing to also ignore both the unitive and procreative aspects of sex, and how those two aspects are best to be shared within the loving institution of marriage.

We also see examples in the world where humanitarian aid is withheld unless the nation to receive the help agrees to force "population control" measures on their people. And in perhaps the worst example possible, China self-imposes a sinister birth policy that often resorts to kidnapping pregnant women and forcing them to have abortions.

The wrongful acceptance of contraception has promoted the rise of other evils -- fornication, m*sturbation, p*rnography, homosexuality -- just to name a few. We have also slumped to the level that abortion, the deliberate murder of children in their mother's womb, is accepted as commonplace throughout our nation and many nations of the world. The rise of abortions and the use of contraception have a clear correlation. It is a lie and morally wrong to assume that the use of contraception is effective at reducing abortions.

The lies run rampant because people, perhaps through no fault of their own, have not been made aware of the truth. Many people have grown up in a contraceptive society and have been bombarded throughout their life by the constant noise of secular society that says that what is wrong is right. At the same time, many Catholic priests have neglected speaking of the sin of contraception, thus leaving the lies to run undisputed. The ignorance of the people at large stems in the fact that they simply have not been exposed to the truths surrounding contraception.

There are some efforts underway to educate the people and to dispel the lies. The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy are challenging their colleagues to reacquaint themselves and their people with Humanae Vitae. Furthermore, Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President of Human Life International, is also calling for a "Generation of Assent" to Humanae Vitae. Combined with a demand from us Lay people to be taught the hard, honest truth, it is my hope that these efforts will provide loving encouragement to our priests and bishops to tackle these issues head-on.

As the Lay Faithful, it is very important for us to take this opportunity to rediscover -- or perhaps discover for the first time -- the great moral teachings on this subject so that we may continue to influence our secular society and our elected officials to become more aware of the pitfalls that are tied to contraception. Namely, if we continue down this slope of moral decline, we risk the health of our entire nation. We need only to look back at history to see that the moral demise of a nation almost always precedes the ultimate demise of a nation. No nation, including our own, is invulnerable to this threat.

In the pursuit of truth, allow me to share with you the following multitude of resources.

Catholic Church Teaching:

• Humanae Vitae (Paul VI, 1968)
• Family Values vs. Safe Sex (Pontifical Council for the Family)

The Protestant Perspective:

• Randy Alcorn, Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?
• Charles Provan, The Bible and Birth Control (available from the HLI Catalog)

Related Websites:

• HumanaeVitaePriests.com
• NoRoomForContraception.com
• OneMoreSoul.com
  Be sure to get Professor Janet Smith's amazing presentation "Contraception: Why Not" on CD for FREE or listen to the MP3 online.
• Comprehensive list of resources on the abortifacient effect of birth control

Related Articles:

• "Benedict XVI: 'Humanae Vitae' as Relevant as Ever" from Zenit News Agency (zenit.org)
• "Humanae Vitae: a bold sign of contradiction" from Catholic World News (cwnews.com)
• "Technology is no substitute for marital love, says Benedict XVI" from Catholic News Agency (cna.com)
• "Priests still suffering from effects of Humanae Vitae dissenters, Vatican cardinal says" from Catholic News Agency (cna.com)
• "40 Years of 'Humanae Vitae' - Interview With Dr. Thomas Hilgers" by Zenit News Agency (zenit.org)
• "Humanae Vitae: A Prophetic Document?" by Dr. Janet Smith [PDF Document]
• "Paul VI versus Playboy" By Donald DeMarco on the Catholic News Service website
• "The Vindication of Humanae Vitae" by Mary Eberstadt on the First Things website
• "Archbishop: For the Clergy, Obedience to Church 'Requires Preaching About the Moral Evil of Contraception'" from LifeSiteNews.com
• "Cardinal Ouellet Praises Humanae Vitae - Abortion the Consequence of the 'Culture of Contraception'" from LifeSiteNews.com
• "Senior Curial Cardinal says Humanae Vitae Was a 'Defence of the Dignity of Women'" from LifeSiteNews.com
• "Humanae Vitae: Lasting Truth" by Arwen Mosher on the Faith & Family blog

Morally-Acceptable Natural Family Planning:

• NFP Outreach http://www.nfpoutreach.org/
• Natural Family Planning International http://www.nfpandmore.org/
• Couple to Couple League http://www.ccli.org/
• Family of the Americas http://www.familyplanning.net/

Theology of the Body:

• http://www.theologyofthebody.net/
• http://www.christopherwest.com/

Fr. Euteneuer's Mini-Series on Contraception:

• Should We Deny Communion to Dissenters on Church Teachings? (VIDEO)
  Audio transcript
• Is the World Overpopulated? (VIDEO)
  Audio transcript
• Is NFP Just Catholic Birth Control? (VIDEO)
  Audio transcript
• Does Contraception Prevent Abortion? (VIDEO)
  Audio transcript

Dr. Ray Guarendi:
Excerpt from "Why Be Catholic" on the unchanging moral standards of the Catholic Church (in reference to contraception).



American Life League:
"The Pill Kills Babies"