Catholic NFP classes: How much religion is involved?

[Katala]

I was debating as to whether to ask this here, or on the fertility boards, but in the end I figured that this was probably more appropriate....

I've been studying NFP/FAM on my own and had my IUD removed about 3 weeks ago (I was having a lot of frustrating side effects and after 3 years, decided it just wasn't worth it anymore, plus, I really like to know "how things work", am a huge anatomy/physiology geek, and I feel like charting is really empowering.) DH and I have been using condoms since then.
Anyway, the Nurse Practitioner I saw at Planned Parenthood was really awesome, she gave me several charts and a bunch of reading material about FAM/NFP (Prior to the IUD removal I'd read "Taking charge of Your Fertility" and Katie Singer's book as well.)
She also strongly suggested that DH and I take a class, stating that she tends to see much more success with NFP/FAM when couples learn from other people and not just a book (as someone who is primarily an audible and kinesthetic learner, I totally understand the value of this.)

DH and I live in a fairly small town, and the only classes available here are through the Catholic Church.

I was raised Catholic, but don't practice anymore (One of those "spiritual but not religious" people; I do follow a Yogic path but don't feel right claiming a particular religion--I'm not anti-religion at all, I just don't feel like I know enough about any particular religion to claim to be a member of that faith, and I feel like it would be disrespectful to try to do so.) DH was raised as a fundamentalist Christian and would also consider himself "spiritual but not religious," though he is really interested in Christian metaphysics and Gnosticism.
We both respect that Catholic church and have often attended mass with my family (though their church, while definitely 100% Roman Catholic, tends to be more left leaning than other parishes I've visited--there's a very strong emphasis on social justice; I've heard many many anti-war and anti-poverty sermons and very very few anti-abortion sermons [actually, the only one I can remember was from a visiting priest, and afterward my mother, who is actually pro-life, said that if he were the regular priest she would never go back.] )
DH and I are also both very liberal, and very pro-choice (I've volunteered and lobbied for PP in the past.)

Anyway, I guess my question is, what should I expect?
I imagine, and really don't mind that the class will be taught from a Catholic/Christian perspective, but I want to know what to prepare myself for; for those of you who have taken NFP classes through the Catholic Church, how much religion was involved? Was there a lot of negative talk about contraception?

It's only a one-time class and only a few hours, so I imagine the focus will be mostly on the practical aspects of NFP, but I'm really not sure.

I'm also wondering...
Is it common for non-Catholics to take NFP classes through the church?
Will they ask what religion we are?
Will we be expected to "share" our reasons for using NFP?
Will the fact that we've been married for almost four years with no children make us stand out as "contraceptive users?"

I fully plan on biting my tongue when necessary, utilizing the things that I learn that are useful/relevant to me and my situation and letting go of the things I don't find useful, but I'd very much like to avoid any uncomfortable situations and just, in general, have a sense of what I'm getting myself into prior to the situation.

I'm really excited to take the class, but also a little nervous.

Any insight/wisdom from those who have "been there, done that" is most appreciated!

[Tradd]

It depends on the NFP method/who teaches/sponsors the class.

The Couple to Couple League (CCL) seems to be the heaviest on the religion aspect. They teach the sympo-thermal method. I've read some of their materials (10 years ago?) and they even said that their NFP classes were a tool to bring people to Catholicism.

I took classes from a Creighton Method (mucus) teacher and their materials are much less heavy on the Catholic teaching. It's there, but it's not constant and as in your face as the CCL materials.

You might also consider distance-learning NFP (home study).

Yes, I've known non-Catholics (Evangelical Protestants and Orthodox) to take NFP classes (these were the CCL ones, as they're most prevalent in my area) and the couples as a whole were not happy with the teachers who often spent more time on Catholic teaching regarding ABC rather than actually teaching the NFP how-tos.

ETA: The CCL classes the folks I know have taken were multi-session - at least 3-4 meetings.

[adoremybabe]

I took the class through Couple to Couple League 4 years ago in a Catholic Church. I don't remember any mention of the Catholic Church while in class. There may have been one time that artificial birth control was wrong in the eyes of the Church.

No one was asked what religion they were.

[Bluegoat]

I did a one on one class with an instructor on the Billings Method. I found her on the Catholic diocesan website, and she gave the classes in an office of a Catholic university's chaple. She was also a member of a Catholic physicians group.

But they were quite happy to take non-Catholics, and there was no discussion about religion really. She did say that most people she saw were Catholic and that she would really like the method to become more widely used, as it was in Australia where she got her certification to teach. But that was really just chatting.

[Katala]

Thanks for sharing your advice/experiences. I went to the class tonight and realized I was basically worried about nothing, the instructors were great (super helpful, knowledgeable and friendly), the class was great, and DH actually had a blast.