As the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae approaches, there seems to be more discussion about natural family planning, at least on the internet, and the title question keeps coming up. The question is deceptively simple; the answer is not.
The end does not homogenize the means. Some say that chaste abstinence and contraception are morally the same because they have the same purpose of avoiding pregnancy. This is an excellent example of how sex can distort the thinking of otherwise sensible people. In any other area of life, who would dare to say that the same end or purpose makes different means or ways of accomplishing that purpose morally the same? Take peace in the Middle East. Someone might say that the way to peace is to annihilate one of the parties in the conflict. Others might say that the way to peace is through non-violent negotiation. Morally the same? Or take the common example of wanting to live in a nicer house you can’t afford right now. How are you going to get that extra money? Selling illegal drugs? Or working to get a better but still honest job? Morally the same?
Regarding almost every good goal in life, there are moral and immoral ways to get there. This applies just as much to birth control as it does in every other area of life. If anyone says that the practice of chaste abstinence is the same as contraception because they have the same purpose, such a person has demonstrated that he or she has not learned this basic rule of thinking: the end does not homogenize the means.
Chaste abstinence or selective contraception? Another twist to the question in the title is whether the couple practicing “NFP” is practicing chaste abstinence during the fertile time or resorting to contraceptive behaviors. This does not mean only using condoms. It also refers to engaging in masturbation, whether mutual or solitary, and/or marital sodomy such as Bill and Monica sex. Any use of these immoral behaviors is selective contraception; it is not any form of NFP.
Ecological breastfeeding or systematic NFP? There are two forms of natural family planning. Ecological breastfeeding (EBF) is the form of nursing in which a mother fulfills her baby’s needs for frequent suckling and her full-time presence and in which the child’s frequent suckling postpones the return of the mother’s fertility. It entails following the Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding – behavioral standards that ensure frequent suckling. Mothers who follow these Standards will experience, on the average between 14 and 15 months between childbirth and their first menstruation. The important point is that this form of NFP requires no justification by serious reason. The mother is simply taking care of the needs of her baby; there is no way she can force the baby to breastfeed more often that he wants to. Another great advantage of EBF is that it helps to ensure a long duration of breastfeeding. Pope John Paul II in 1995 endorsed the recommendations of UNICEF and the WHO that mothers should breastfeed for at least two years.
To be continued next week.
John F Kippley
NFP International
www.NFPandmore.org
Sex and the Marriage Covenant: A Basis for Morality