Pope's Anticondom Statements Really Bad Timing

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The Pope did not say that condoms do not decrease the risk of contracting HIV. He said condoms will make the problem of AIDS worse. You dont see the difference because you ignore what he preaches as the alternative. You believe Chastity is impossible. He does not. Decreasing the risk of a deadly virus by 80% is not enough, and not safe. It's like telling your child you would rather they didnt ride their bike down the middle of the interstate, but you know they are going to do it anyway, so at least wear a helmet. That way, they might not die, they'll just be crippled for life. I agree that it is tragic that women must allow their bodies to be used in prostitution for survival. People were meant to be loved, never to be used. The problem is we love things, and use people. This is the tragedy that we should be putting all our effort into preventing, not trying to treat symptoms of a culture of death. Kill the root of the problem.

John Wood of OH 6:51AM November 03, 2009

+1

soundtracks of AL 6:41AM July 17, 2009

GcczLe

Mejwcgjt of NJ 1:27AM July 14, 2009

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!

soma environmental of NM 5:25AM July 04, 2009

In regards to the comments against condom distribution in Africa, you need to consider the reality of the situation. Just because you are educated in Catholic beliefs does not mean that the women who are finacially forced to sell their bodies are. They have a right to protect themselves, and whether you or the pope think using condoms is wrong or not is NOT going to stop people from having unprotected sex and passing along the virus. In your 'PERFECT WORLD' eve would never have eaten the apple and there would be no sin, in the 'REAL WORLD' there is sin. Being a person of God is about showing compassion, we are incredibly priveledged to live in environments where we do not have to resort to selling ourselves to feed our children (no one can say that they wouldn't do the same if they have never been put in that situation, most people i know would do anything to keep their children safe and well and alive, so would these african women). By allowing these people protection from aids we are doing one of the only things we can to help an unsolvable problem. Women in Africa are being raped at a disgusting rate, would you shake your finger at them as well for having 'promiscuous' sex? It is the same situation, if a woman from africa didn't have to sell herself to keep her children alive, then she wouldnt, unless you're idea of this situation is so distorted that you think they actually WANT to do this? Have some compassion for a culture who has been pushed to desperation to survive, one of the simplest things we can do to help them is give them the chance to avoid getting a disease that will kill them.

holly of TX 12:26AM April 28, 2009

Pope Benedict is right that the use of condoms does not solve the problem of AIDS. This article only confirms it. "Women sell their bodies to feed their children and themselves" Do men who pay for their services give a hoot about whether they are spreading AIDS? Perhaps they have HIV themselves. Do they care that the woman they are paying contracts it. What if they personally do not want to bother with condoms? The problem is made worse because government agencies promote condoms as the only or primary defense. But human sexual behavior also has a moral aspect and this is not being addressed at all. Laugh if you will, but ultimately there will be a day when those who promoted condoms and thus permiscuous sex will have to face judgement. When they do they will find out why promoting condoms made things worse instead of better.

J Davis of IN 7:44AM March 23, 2009

Many African American women have low self esteem and this leaves them open to AIDS infections. They will often had sexual relations with men they do not know well and this is an easy way to be exposed to the virus. The media publishing surveys that say things like " An African American women has very little chance to marry" do not help things. We need to lift the African American woman's self esteem, not scare her.

Amy Rosenberg of PA 9:58AM March 21, 2009

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzJlNzBiNWRlM2IyYzFjZThjNmUwOTcyN2JlZWI0NTY

Malia of CA 1:16PM March 20, 2009

I agree with the Pope 100%. Everyone calls him ignorant for his statement but they don't understand what condom promotes. In the "PERFECT WORLD", yes it helps prevent the spread of diseases. But the question is, in the REAL WORLD, are human beings responsible 100% of the time? Condoms create temptation and infidelity. It makes sex accessible to everyone. We should really think about the behavior of most people. People sometimes have one night stands while they are drunk. What are the chances of them wearing a condom or even wearing it correctly? Condoms can be bought anywhere in the U.S. but why do we still have a problem with STDs in the country?
In the article above, women sell their bodies to provide for their children. I honestly feel very bad for them but isn't it morally wrong to distribute free condoms to them so that they can continue on with that lifestyle? Why not instead, help them financially? Why not provide some volunteer work to help the families? Why not educate them about monogamy/fidelity and abstinence? What's more safe than that?
The marketers of condoms have done a very good job at promoting their products. Safe sex? Lets face it, is it really effective in this real world?

Malia of CO 1:03PM March 20, 2009

I would like to ask how much time you have spent readng/following all this pope (or any pope for that matter) has said publically from his position of spiritual authority and governence. The reality is that the Church actually speaks little on sex (probably even dangerously little) when compared to the rest of the papal teachings, but it seems that these are the only ones that tend to make it into mainstream media because it is largely in the realm of sexual morality that the Church is outside the "mainstream" and these are what media outlets hope to draw attention to for the sake of readers, advertisement, and general attention.
I commend the pope for continuing to stand for the Truth in the face of a very challenging and very public world. Ultimately it is pretty simple, (and echoed by the Harvard AIDS Prevention Center Director just today) if the Church's teaching on sexual morality were embraced, which does not require assent to Christian theology, but simply the clear Natural Law, AIDS and every other STI would be eliminated in one generation.

Josh of WI 12:40PM March 20, 2009