AIDS "cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems".- Pope Benedict XVI, recent message to Africans
Is this man really so ignorant about the basic facts of biology? I doubt it, but I bet he's hoping potential new recruits from Africa are. Maybe some teaching about evolution would be of use here? Maybe the drive to reproduce has more to do with mutation and our ancestor's success in passing on offspring and less to do with Satan and his condoms? Just a thought. Guess that's the problem with putting a 90-year-old virgin on the soapbox. And what's up with the dress?
Hopefully sensible catholics are smart enough to ignore this idiot.
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12 comments:
I'm a personal fan of how he's also preaching against witchcraft and superstition... cos that'd be illogical, right?
Guys, I've loved seeing some of the recent discussions going on around your postings. May I suggest have the time and date listed for each comment posting? I find that having that information adds context and value to the flow of reading a comment board. Cheers, keep up the great work.
I'm a personal fan of how he's also preaching against witchcraft and superstition... cos that'd be illogical, right?
Haha. Yeah. That's pretty ironic coming from a guy who dresses like a 21st level sorcerer and reads incantations from a spellbook.
May I suggest have the time and date listed for each comment posting?
Not sure how to do that. Anybody? Times (but not dates) can be seen by either looking at the individual post (clicking the post title) or by opening the comments window.
You know, as unhelpful as his comments were he is right. The only way to prevent aids entirely (failing the miracle cure/immunisation) would be complete abstinence before and being faithful after marriage, as well as abolishing rape. In other words a complete overhaul of human nature...
Knowing teenagers around here and seeing as 1 in 3 south african women have been raped I'm guessing it's a lot harder to adopt than passing out some condoms lol. STDs and teen pregnancy would be a thing of the past if only people could keep it in their pants >_<
***For the record I'm nowhere near the moral high ground on this one... we'll leave that to His Infallible-my-backside-ness.
Brooke,
While you are, scientifically, correct - the only failsafe way of preventing HIV is complete abstinance - there is a fundimental flaw in your logic.
People like putting their penises into other people. Some even enjoy having it done to them.
Alas, there's not a lot that can be done about this. Absolutely all evidence points to the fact that people don't do abstinance. They just engage in sex without saying, feel bad about it, or worse, engage in unprotected anal sex, which is about as risky as sexual intercourse gets (notwithstanding kinky stuff).
Basically, it's a terrible strategy.
On the other hand, you can work WITH people who like to put their penises into things, and suggest that they can have their cake and eat it too... wear a condom. Not only does it prevent HIV, but it also prevents a host of other bad germs getting into folks.
In short: condoms, when used properly, work. We know this to be true. It's been studied. Abstinance doesn't work. In places where condom usage is high, the HIV rate is low. It's that simple.
That, and the pope wouldn't know about sex if he walked into a brothel. How on earth does he hope to understand what people do during intercourse if he's never done it?!
"Absolutely all evidence points to the fact that people don't do abstinance."
Isn't this post about a "90 year old virgin"? Clearly *some* people do abstinence. :P
"How on earth does he hope to understand what people do during intercourse if he's never done it?!"
I hear the Vatican has the best porn.
Anonymous,
Unless you have emperical evidence to the contrary, I'm going to assume that the pope is like all the other Catholic priests one hears talk of.
The issue of condoms and HIV protection is complex and there is research evidence in support Pope Benedict's comments.
I suggest you look at the research documented by the Aids Prevention Research Project at Harvard University.
http://www.harvardaidsprp.org/
The tone of this thread is offensive.
Curiously, a brief read of that website, Anonymous, indicates that they basically agree - condoms are effective - however they also feel that "partner reduction" is also an effective strategy.
You will note above that I said the same thing. Not having sex is the only foolproof way of preventing HIV. HOWEVER people like having sex, and as such, tend to have sex with other people. Condoms are an effective method of preventing HIV transmission during intercourse.
People tend not to abstain. That doesn't mean it's not a good idea. It's just not realistic. And the pope's assertion that "Condoms make the problem worse" is a flat out lie. NO research suggests that to be the case. If I'm wrong, send me the references.
Let me clarify my initial criticisms. My problem is with his holiness' using his influence to campaign AGAINST the use and distributions of condoms to Africans.
I don't think anyone (certainly not I) has a problem with him promoting responsible sexual activity (including the choice to abstain where possible), or familial commitment. But it's pretty obvious that neither should be promoted at the exclusion of protective measures. All of the above need to be part of an effective public health program.
To go to Africa and say that condoms promote the spread of AIDS is totally off the wall. It's like if the CEO of a company selling anti-viral drugs went to Africa disguised as a humanitarian to tell people that the Polio vaccine will not help prevent the spread of poliomyelitis. In fact, "it only makes things worse".
There are a lot of dedicated people working with Catholic and Christian humanitarian organizations to reduce human suffering in places like Africa.
They deserve better leadership than this.
Bayman,
I believe your original comments were clear. I don't think anything I said actually goes against that either.
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