Reflection on September 5, 1984

https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb120.htm

“By separating the natural method from the ethical dimension, one no longer sees the difference between it and the other methods (artificial means). One comes to the point of speaking of it as if it were only a different form of contraception.” I have to admit that up until a few years ago I would have joined in this group. I was one of the ones that argued NFP was just another form of birth control. The entirety of Theology of the Body, up until the discussion, lays out the “ethical” dimensions, or spiritual dimensions, of this method and the understanding behind it and the importance of following God’s method. I am not sure you could honestly go through Theology of the Body and come out the other end seeing that the artificial methods are anything but evil.

What I see as the issue with above quote is that throughout these reflections I have seen and stated that the theology that SJPII has preached is not only not fully (or even partially) known by the world, they have no desire to know it or will try purposefully to disregard it, mock it, promote the exact opposite. If “one no longer sees the difference between it and the other methods” if you separate the natural and the ethical dimensions, the world will refuse and go out of its way to see that NFP is the better method because it will refuse to have the debate about the ethical areas. NFP is exactly like all other forms of birth control because there are no ethics in the world. The world will never see NFP as a solution as long as they don’t see the ethical dimension.

The world is a broader scope, but I think the same discussion and arguments can be made in regards to the “Catholics” in the pews in regards to issues like contraception. Too many in this group (and I counted myself among them at one time) there is no difference because this theology of SJPII has not been taught clearly enough or spread well enough to the large percentage of Catholics. I understand that NFP is required teaching for couples getting married, and in our class there were small sections about Theology of the Body, but the length and breathe of Theology of the Body is so deep and rich, I wish it had been covered on its own prior to marriage. You can offer NFP classes to get the details, but I think if you taught Theology of the Body in greater amounts, people would be lining up to better understand NFP because it flows naturally (pun somewhat intended) from an understanding of this theology.