Natural Family Planning
4. Theological Reflections on Natural Family Planning
To begin this essay I will first explain what Natural Family Planning is and I will then turn to take a look at the essay written by Joseph W. Koterski entitled Theological Reflections on Natural Family Planning. Natural Family Planning 'is the general title for the scientific, natural and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancies. '1 Methods of Natural Family Planning depend on the observation paid to the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman 's menstrual cycle. The main idea behind Natural Family Planning is that no methods of artificial contraception are used. Such methods of artificial contraception include drugs, devices or surgical procedures which are used to avoid pregnancy.2
The first question Koterski asks is 'Can the use of Natural Family Planning to avoid pregnancy be morally justified? '3 He then goes on to state that many discussions come to the conclusion that Natural Family Planning is acceptable providing one does not have a 'contraceptive mentality. '4 The writer agrees with this statement, however one finds themselves asking does the whole idea of Natural Family Planning not have a somewhat contraceptive mentality to it also?
The article then puts across the idea that procreation is good within marriage however if a couple do have a contraceptive mentality it should be for a moral reason such as 'spacing births a bit for the good of the mother 's health, or caring better for the sake of one 's existing children, or for the good of the marriage in a time of great pressures of some sort '5 If these scenarios do come into a couples lives who use Natural Family Planning they are still remaining open to having children at these times however they are just hoping they will not until these scenarios have sorted themselves out.
It appears that throughout the article the writer
To begin this essay I will first explain what Natural Family Planning is and I will then turn to take a look at the essay written by Joseph W. Koterski entitled Theological Reflections on Natural Family Planning. Natural Family Planning 'is the general title for the scientific, natural and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancies. '1 Methods of Natural Family Planning depend on the observation paid to the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman 's menstrual cycle. The main idea behind Natural Family Planning is that no methods of artificial contraception are used. Such methods of artificial contraception include drugs, devices or surgical procedures which are used to avoid pregnancy.2
The first question Koterski asks is 'Can the use of Natural Family Planning to avoid pregnancy be morally justified? '3 He then goes on to state that many discussions come to the conclusion that Natural Family Planning is acceptable providing one does not have a 'contraceptive mentality. '4 The writer agrees with this statement, however one finds themselves asking does the whole idea of Natural Family Planning not have a somewhat contraceptive mentality to it also?
The article then puts across the idea that procreation is good within marriage however if a couple do have a contraceptive mentality it should be for a moral reason such as 'spacing births a bit for the good of the mother 's health, or caring better for the sake of one 's existing children, or for the good of the marriage in a time of great pressures of some sort '5 If these scenarios do come into a couples lives who use Natural Family Planning they are still remaining open to having children at these times however they are just hoping they will not until these scenarios have sorted themselves out.
It appears that throughout the article the writer
Bibliography: Dominian, Jack, 'Masterbation and Premarital Sexual Intercourse ' , God Sex and Love (London: SCM Press, 1989), Koterski, Joseph W. Theological Reflections on Natural Family Planning, http://www.nvjournal.net/images/stories/SampleArticles/6.4.pdf Murray, John, Lecture notes. http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/natural-family-planning/what-is-nfp/