I am curious about the following issue. I have been searching online for the definitive Orthodox position on the issue of NFP or Contraceptives in marriage and I cannot find it. I mean, that both sides seem to be advocated.
Does anyone know if there is a solid and settled position on this matter?
It's a pastoral matter, not a dogmatic matter as in the RC church. The only thing that is unacceptable are contraceptives that are also abortifacients, e.g. pills often prevent pregnancy not by preventing fertilization, but by preventing the fertilized egg, i.e. embryo, from lodging in the uterus wall.
Yes, I did hear that the "preventative pill" actually acts often as an abortifacient instead of a preventing fertilisation.
Ok, so if there is no official position on the matter (and I have got the feeling that according to some Orthodox out there that for them even that assertion is not actually true patristically) what do you think is likely to be the stronger of the two positions if one were to generalise and say, "more often than not," or, "On general principle it is more in keeping with Patristic and Orthodox ideals to..."
What would you say in that case? Because I think it is fair to say that Orthodoxy, while it may allow some discretion in these matters pastorally, does have ethical and spiritual ideals that would better reflect one over the other. And Roman Catholic advocates of NFP have, I think, made very solid and reasonable cases for NFP on such grounds as that NFP follows a more ascetical spirit than being able to do it anytime you want to without having pregnancy being a consideration or motivation to exercise self-control or responsibility. Pleasure without responsibility it seems to me is something not really in the plan of God in such cases. What do you think?
(You can tell, that I am leaning in favour towards the Roman Catholic arguments for NFP. I do find their arguments very compelling, I will admit. However, I would like to hear some other views I might not have considered, or to know if I am feeling something that is possibly correct, that NFP is the stronger of the two positions even if only in general sense -- without dogmatising about it.
I would agree with your last point and advise advise you not to attempt dogmatizing about this issue, since there clearly isn't a consensus. Rather, consult your spiritual father (assuming this is an issue relevant to you), and rely on what he says.
I know the temptation to get into theoretical debates about this or that, but ultimately we should remember that in Orthodoxy, practice comes first, theory after. 
I wonder why I always think of consulting by priest last? :ohvey: Doh!
Good points, Jonathan.
Icxypion wrote:I wonder why I always think of consulting by priest last? :ohvey: Doh!
Good points, Jonathan.
That's what I'm here for. 
I think even Natural Family Planning is not right.
Contraceptives are way off the scale as far as EVER being acceptable.
A TOTAL disaster.
I stress that these are my common sense views; they have no bearing on those of any specific clergyman.
I am only adding to the topic to render some balance.
[As well as to encourage any families who may read this to consider skipping any pharmaceutical whatsoever, as well
as to trust in God, simply. Impractical as that will sound to any reader !]
