The Pill Vs. Nfp

[Kilroy the Ninja]

I know that there are programs out there to help low-income families, but I won't be one of those people. And even if I were, my husband isn't.

Thank you. As one of "those" people I'd just like to say that I hope your situation does improve.

Then maybe, one day, you'll be as happy as I am.

And BTW, I too have to put a roof over my head, pay the bills, and buy food.

God bless you and yours.

Edited February 20, 2012 by Lil Red

[Lil Red]

*opening mouth*

*inserting foot*

I'm sorry, I reread that and I sound like a pompous donkey.

[marielapin]

I think you are "risking" it more with condoms. They are only 88-97% effective at preventing pregnancy, whereas NFP is 99% effective. Plus NFP is soo much cheaper. Plus it is morally sound.

[cmotherofpirl]

Because I am disabled, I am low income. Because I recieve some child support my children and I have never qualified for a single program. I would give my eye teeth to be one of "those people".

Still, I have managed to keep a roof over my head (leaking of course), food on the table, and will start 3 kids in college this year.

Whether you are in a mansion or a homeless shelter, children are a gift from God.

Which is more important pride or obedience?

[jessinoelw]

I would love to use NFP, I really would, but I can't chance it.� I thank you all for your comments and ask for your continued prayers that my situation improves.

P.S. Hyperdulia, we are using condoms, not the Pill.� The Pill has too many hormone side effects for me besides everything else about it.

Condoms are more likely to fail you that NFP. If you are having intercourse when you are fertile you are taking a much greater risk than you would be by abstaining with NFP. Modern methods of NFP are 99% effective when you are properly educated and use them correctly. Proper use and instruction is the case with every birth control method.

My husband and I are NFP teachers through the Couple to Couple League. We have been using NFP personally for 3 years now. At this time we are avoiding pregnancy because I want to lose weight before we have a second child, we are trying to pay off our debt, both of us are in school full time this semester, and I can't handle the psychological impact of having another child at this time. We are converts to Catholicism as of 2001.

There is an NFP message board at http://forums.delphi...m/nfptalk/start Some of the ladies there have extremely serious reasons for avoiding pregnancy and are using only NFP. Two of the ladies have clinical psychological phobias dealing with pregnancy and childbirth. One of these ladies has been using NFP to avoid successfully for 9 years now.

If you want to explore more of the effectiveness of NFP I have a booklet I can send you. You can also read any number of the NFP books that are available currently. I have a links page with links to other NFP sites, books, charts, and message boards at http://catholica.hom...nfpprolife.html

You are certainly not a bad Catholic for wondering about the effectiveness of NFP, but using artificial birth control is a matter of mortal sin that should be confessed.

--Jessica

Edited February 20, 2012 by Lil Red

[Dave]

You are certainly not a bad Catholic for wondering about the effectiveness of NFP, but using artificial birth control is a matter of mortal sin that should be confessed.

And Red (I hope you don't mind me calling you that for short), you also shouldn't be receiving Holy Communion if you're contracepting. If you have been doing so, then you're committing sacrilege -- which is another mortal sin and would also need to be confessed.

Edited February 20, 2012 by Lil Red

[VanHooty]

Well... uh... Red, there is another way besides NPF and condoms. 100% effective. Abstenence. Granted, that takes a whole lot of sacrifice. Particularly for a young married couple. And, not being married, I have no idea what I'm talking about.

I just wanted to chuck the idea out there for people to discuss if they wanted to do so. :)

Edited February 20, 2012 by Lil Red

[vianney]

This topic is so hard when dealing with married couples. They have waited their whole lives for this and I know people should be show some chastity in marriage but abstaining from all sex while married after you have waited you whole lifetime for it? JP2 even said sex is amazing and frankly if i were married I would NOT be abstaining from ALL sex.

Secondly;

This is just an observation but those families who practice NFP seem to have enourmous families...But this may be what Jake said that some families practice it to HAVE more kids and Jake himself said his prents used it and only had three kids. So I dunno its a hard one..I know it can be very tempting to just get out the condom and do it right there to and get your sexual needs done and easy bam your married so no guilt...

[Lil Red]

I guess I should explain a little more of my family background. My parents are devout Catholics and had 10 kids (and about 3 or 4 miscarriages). There are only 19 years separated the oldest from the youngest. I've seen first hand how hard it is to make it in life with a lot of kids. Or kids at a time when you can't afford it. We were on welfare for probably 10 years and I know how hard it is to be one of *those people*. I have already been there and done that as a kid. My whole life I've said that I didn't want to grow up and be on welfare - no matter what.

That being said, I have prayed about this since I first posted on this thread. And I am doing much more in depth research on NFP than I first had. And my husband and I are considering it. So I do want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has helped me and prayed for me. I really do appreciate it. Thanks everyone!

Does anyone know how I can find a source in my hometown in Edited by moderator: personal info ? If you do, I'd appreciate it. Thanks

Pax Christi

Edited May 26, 2006 by Lil Red

[Jake Huether]

Edited by moderator: personal info ,

Maybe you could do a little research on your family. Try asking your parents if they used NFP (as it is today - or the rhythm method). You should want to find out if your parents actually planned that many kids, or if NFP failed. Because if the kids were planned, then that isn't showing that NFP doesn't work, rather, it is showing that NFP DOES work. And if NFP failed, you should find out how (was it due to the method - or was it user related ).

Like we had mentioned, NFP is 99% effective (that is of course, like contraceptives, it must be used correctly).

And I also would like you to consider: When we do God's will He helps us. And in some cases God helps us EVEN when we are dead set against Him. But think of the blessings God will give you if you decide to use NFP instead of contraception! You seem to already be discounting God's abundant Grace, and saying that He can't help you. He CAN help you! But we all must do his will and submit our lives to him in order to reap the benefits of his help.

Have you ever heard the story of the guy who waited on his roof during a flood. He thought that God would come and save him, so he let the boat and the helicopeter go. When he finally died and met God, he asked God why He hadn't saved him. God replied, "I sent you a boat and a helicopter, but you didn't take them!".

You will never know the blessings of using NFP unless you try it. Many of the blessings, I can guarantee, you WONT be able to research. There are blessings untold that the Lord will reveal to you when you submit to His will (His will is manifest through the Church that His Son established - the Catholic Church).

My prayers are with you.

Edited May 26, 2006 by Lil Red

[jessinoelw]

Red,

Click on this link: http://catholica.hom...nfpprolife.html

There are a bunch of books and Web sites listed on this page about NFP. If you're looking for a teacher near you you can go to http://www.ccli.org/learn/search.shtml (that's the Couple to Couple League). There's also http://www.boma-usa....instructors.htm for the Billings Method and http://www.creightonmodel.com for the Creighton Model Method.

--Jessica

Edited February 20, 2012 by Lil Red

[eternal]

My finance and I are currently going through the ccl classes. It’s a hard thought at first but it’s pretty amazing the science that has went into nfp. It has brought us closer together and gave me better respect for Gods work in humanity. I recommend it to all faiths. There is a baptist couple going through it as well as well as a feminist. Its only affective as you are so it can be from 0 to 99% depends on how you follow the different rules.

Edited August 5, 2003 by eternal

[cmotherofpirl]

Go catholicity.com and join the theology of the body forum (TOTB)under email groups. It has a priest who writes on the subject, reseachers in science and NFP teachers. THey probably have the best info on the web.

NFP makes marriage into dating with fringe benefits.

[littleflower+JMJ]

as married couples, they must be open to life....while making your marriage blest before God's eyes you both promised to love and be open to life and children....did one not mean it?

i believe Pope John Paul II says it best by this...

"Americans are known for generosity to your children. And what is the best gift you can give your children? I say to you: Give them brothers and sisters"

we must be open to life and open to God's and His will for us....if we refuse God's gift of life, we are refusing God Himself and all his blessings He wants to bestow on them.....

God bLess!

+JMJ

[littleflower+JMJ]

Please READ!!! http://priestsforlife.org/articles/contrac...ptionmaster.htm

i also wanted to add words of Mother Teresa,

"...the most precious gift you recieved on your wedding day is the gift of each other. So know each other as God's special gift of love to you and love and cherish each other. Keep the joy of loving each other and share this joy with your own and with those who ahve nothing and no one to call their own. As the fullness and fruitfulness of marriage is found in children, welcome children into your wedlock and help them grow up to be the sunshine's of God's love in your family and neighborhood.

From the first day of your life together as husband and wife, pray together. for the family that prays together stays together in love, peace and unity. Prayer gives a clean heart and a clean heart can see and serve God in one another. Let us pray."

~Mother Teresa of Calcutta

God BLess!

+JMJ