How is natural family planning not a form of contraception?

How is natural family planning any different then a condom or a birth control pill? Your still preventing a potential baby and your not really giving your complete self away, if you know you probably won't get pregnant. When I watched "Theology of the Body", there main argument was that you should give your complete self during sex as an expression of God's love, and that contraception prevents giving your whole self. How is natural family planning any different?

It's just a nicer way of packaging the same idea. Don't spend too much time worrying about it; sex is a biological function, nothing more. Let your freak flag fly.

Natural planning is basically counting the calendar days when a woman is not fertile. (you basically have sex without the use of artificial methods or stopping prior to achieving the full union)

I've been married 15 years. Never used contraception, always used the calendar method (and enjoyed it :P). All 3 children were planned

Perhaps it reduces the chances of a baby being born, but I have a friend whose wife was told by the doctors that she could never have children. They now have two beautiful little girls.

"...average failure rate of 13 to 20%"
http://www.epigee.org/guide/rhythm.html

If I didn't do anything to prevent the birth of children I would have a freaking litter

Sincerely yours,

Fertile Myrtle

Its not because the church says its not. That's how most illogical religious proclamations work.

if your ok with condoms i can see it ... ya know .. if theres no fireworks and no baby then no problem ... i see your point ((cinn)) lol fertile mamma .. no need to over-populate or anything ...

The Catholic Church preaches against it. They are obviously quite confused.

It's less effective. Everyone I know who ever tried that 'method' has a litter now.

Because you're still doing it anyway...even if you're "waiting" to give all your love.

What I don't get is why you have a problem with how others have sex. Insecure much?