Although there are many compelling reasons for couples to limit or space childbirth, only those family planning methods which uphold the dignity of the woman and the marriage, and that don’t separate the love and life-giving aspects of sexual union, are acceptable.
In the book of Genesis it is revealed that God designed marriage for a twofold purpose: to communicate life and love. In the first creation account, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.” And, then comes the very first command given by God: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” God’s purpose for marriage is that it be life-giving.
In the second account of creation, we learn that the other purpose God has for marriage is that it be love-giving…. “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God intended for husband and wife to be intimate friends, supporting each other with forever and faithful love. Love and Life: The two purposes of marriage are so interconnected that they must never be separated. With NFP, both the loving and life-giving aspects are respected every time the spouses are joined together in the marital act.
NFP is true family planning because couples are taught to identify, chart, and interpret the signs of fertility so that they can either avoid or achieve pregnancy in a safe, healthy, and effective way.
The church has always taught that every act of sexual intercourse must be open to life. However, since times of infertility are a part of each woman’s cycle by God’s design, it is perfectly acceptable to have intercourse during these times. But, some ask, “What’s the difference? Why would God care if we practiced NFP or used contraception? The result is the same.” Contraception is the choice to engage in an act of intercourse, but render it sterile, thus separating the Life and Love meanings of the act. Contraception is a contradiction of the wedding vows: it contradicts the free, total, faithful and fruitful love promised between the spouses. Sexual intercourse with Natural Family Planning is a renewal of the weddings vows and does nothing to sterilize an act of intercourse.