ARE YOU HEALTHY? ARE YOU HAPPY? Part II

 In the area of the Church’s teaching on birth control, we can present the scientific evidence so that the decision is no longer a moral one (Most contracepting and cohabitating couples are moral relativists, and morality is irrelevant to them.) but rather, about the life and death of the woman (The pill increases a woman’s risk of breast, cervical and liver cancer, and possibly her long term risk of heart attack and stroke.). In light of hormonal contraceptives’ detrimental effects on the woman’s health, NFP becomes a reasonable and positive alternative to hormonal birth control. We can also present NFP as helpful, in a very practical way, for their relationship—and therefore, make it about the life and death of their marriage.

This approach has been tested and refined for 10 years and has generated tremendous success in Overland Park, KS. Dr. Laurie Heap and Richard Heap have developed a program that helps 75-100% of contracepting and often cohabitating couples decide – a free choice not directed by requirements -- to discontinue their contraceptive and learn NFP—on the spot, with no “planting seeds”, no hoping “they will get it in the future”.

The program is entitled: Are you healthy? Are you happy? New insights into women’s health and a couple’s satisfaction in their relationship. It is a 3-cd, 50-page color printed workbook set. CD one addresses and corrects all the misconceptions about NFP, as well as, how NFP can be used as a basis for treatment of various gynecological disorders. CD two discusses how hormonal contraceptives are not effective, not easy to use and are anything but safe. CD three discusses how NFP practically enhances a couples relationship and upholds and promotes the expression of the wedding vows in every aspect of a couples marriage. The total recording time is one hour and forty five minutes. The presentations are interactive, conversational, informative, playful, entertaining and highly persuasive!!

The beauty of approaching couples in this way is that it ultimately leads them to the truth and to the Church.

Once they are persuaded on the science and see the stark contrast between the results of women’s medicine springing from the culture of life vs. women’s medicine springing from the culture of death, they begin to think that there may be something to the Church’s teachings on just about everything. They make the connection that the Church teaching in this area is geared toward protecting them from physical harm (as evidenced by medical journals that have published studies on the risks of hormonal contraceptives).

In other words, they see that the Church is looking out for their best interest. Perhaps this is also true in other areas…….

This transformation seems to take about ninety days. Once the couples discontinue their contraceptives and begin the process of learning NFP, they form new habits, and gain control over themselves in ways they never thought possible. By the end of ninety days, couples that were not considering children begin to open themselves to that possibility, and the culture of life in their relationship begins.

The culture of life is ninety days away…….it is just a matter of approaching couples from an angle that will help them respond.

Where can we begin?

Can you imagine if 75% of engaged couples came out of Catholic marriage preparation deciding to learn NFP and stop their contraceptives? The Church has a tremendous opportunity to turn our culture around, if only we would promptly act on the opportunity!

Exposing couples to NFP materials during marriage preparation is good, but if it is not effective at convincing them to give up their birth control pills, then what good is the time and money spent?

Finding or developing effective tools that convert the majority of couples is essential. Materials can and must replace other content that do not effectively address core areas of marriage – and the natural top priority of converting couples from using contraception to practicing NFP.

But it is not only essential; it is completely possible. Planting seeds is not an option, in the cause for life.

The stakes are high.

We have the truth.

The truth is both scientific and theological.

Science is the key to open up the culture of death to the beauty and magnetic appeal of the culture of life!

In conclusion, we go to Denver… to August 15, 1993… to Cherry Creek State Park… and we enter Holy Mass with the late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.

At that historic hour, John Paul engendered young people of the world with his call “to enter the struggle against the ``culture of death''. “In imitation of the Blessed Virgin, you pilgrims must be at the service of life for the sake of all.”

NFP leadership has the opportunity to MORE EFFECTIVLEY enter this struggle by persuasively presenting medical facts at the service of life for the sake of all.


Laurie Heap M.D.
Director
The Center of Relationships
Building strong relationships by helping couples understand the value of science and medicine that upholds the dignity of the human person.

9525 Beverly
Overland Park, Kansas
66207
ljheap@yahoo.com
Ph: 913.515.5093

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