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Pope Benedict Denies Condom Use Can Slow the Spread of AIDS
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by Tina Kells | March 17, 2009 at 09:06 am
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Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Africa Tuesday to launch a two nation tour of the region. In his opening address the Pope spoke of the need for unity among African nations in the face of the global economic crisis.
The influence of the Catholic church in Africa has been slipping and Pope Benedict is hoping to inspire a revival of the faith during his visit. Preaching strong Catholic values and practices the Pope may have appeared out of touch with the daily reality of the people of Africa.
Africa is one of the most AIDS ravaged regions on Earth. As of 2007, 22 million people in Africa were living with HIV, 1.5 million people had dies from AIDS and 11 million children had been left orphaned.
Medical workers in Africa promote condom use as an effective way to stop the spread of AIDS something the Pope claims may actually help spread the disease.
While medical workers advocate the use of condoms to help prevent the spread of AIDS, the Church insists on fidelity within heterosexual marriage, chastity and abstinence.
"The problem cannot be overcome by distributing condoms. It only increases the problem," the pontiff told reporters on board the plane headed for Africa.
There are three regions in Africa with shockingly high rates of AIDS and HIV infection; Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland all claim an HIV infection rate of nearly 25%. West Africa is less effected by the epidemic but in Cameroon, where the Pope started his African tour, the HIV rate is 5.1%.
The Pope's comments have outraged AIDS and HIV outreach workers who have been struggling to overcome local superstition and religious fears when dealing with the epidemic in Africa. Calling the Vatican's position on condom use and distribution archaic and naive they are praying his comments will fall on deaf ears.
The Pope's AIDS and HIV message called the epidemic a "tragedy" that could only be overcome with a deep "spiritual and human awakening."
Speaking to reporters on his way to Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, the Pope said HIV/Aids was "a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem".The solution lies in a "spiritual and human awakening" and "friendship for those who suffer", the AFP news agency quotes him as saying.
While in Africa, the pontiff is expected to talk to young people about the Aids epidemic and explain to them why the Catholic Church recommends sexual abstinence as the best way to prevent the spread of the disease.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (37)
at 09:21 on March 17th, 2009
He is living in the dark ages! I suppose he thinks they are all going to hell too!
I agree abstinence would decrease the spread of AIDS but is that realistic? Sure preach about abstinence, but don't villianize condoms. In this case, listening to the pope will cause a rise in AIDS! While trying to fix the problem he may inadvertently be contributing to it. What a travesty!
at 16:19 on March 17th, 2009
"He is living in the dark ages! I suppose he thinks they are all going to hell too!"
The Catholic Church was the first Christian Church to allow the belief in the theory of evolution. That was 35 years ago. The Catholic Church can never claim who goes to heaven or hell. That is for God to decide.
"I agree abstinence would decrease the spread of AIDS but is that realistic?"
Abstinence is the ONLY way to stop the spread of AIDS. It is realistic. There are people like that, and yes, I'm talking about people who wait until they're married. It's more common than you might think.
"Sure preach about abstinence, but don't villianize condoms."
The pope is not saying condoms are evil. He is stating the fact that they will not stop the spread of AIDS. Are you saying that condoms are hard to get in DC where the HIV rate is 3% now?
"While trying to fix the problem he may inadvertently be contributing to it."
Obviously you do believe that his intentions are good. That's better than most people, but the fact is, that if the Africans listened to him, or anyone for that matter, AIDS would nearly disappear in a generation.
"What a travesty!"
Yes, it is a travesty that millions of people will die slowly, thinking that maybe the pope was right after all.
at 23:49 on March 17th, 2009
Abstinence would not stop the spread of AIDS. Sex is not the only way to become afflicted.
at 14:23 on March 23rd, 2009
The man's an idiot. Fairy tales are okay for little kids, but when grown men who have the power to influence millions of people start using them to justify illogical and purposeless policies that will damage the lives of millions they start to lose their charm...
at 09:34 on March 17th, 2009
It's time for the people of the world to recognize that this old man is irrelevant and nothing to do with the Christian teachings as passed down from Jesus. Yes, I feel strongly about this. Where is the compassion for the women forced into prostitution to feed their too many children while he prances around in his hand made shoes?
at 09:58 on March 17th, 2009
Yes, the pope is in denial, and the men who run around San Francisco, making dates to be "tops" or "bottoms" on Craig's List, high on meth and pumped up on viagra, must be listening to him, because they don't use condoms, either, while on their promiscuous binges.
Personally, though, even when I lived in Italy, I didn't meet but a handful of people who agreed with the pope.No one I know actually listens to him, here or there.
His ideas are an anachronism, but his refusal to reason, something first brought to consciousness in the West by the Stoics and other Roman and Greek thinkers, goes on right here as well.
He is an easy target. We are the more difficult target. The men spreading AIDS in San Francisco have been quoted as saying that such sex is the "right".
at 10:52 on March 17th, 2009
This is unbelievable in this day and age, in fact almost Criminal. Where are his advisers. What about the spread of any sexual transmitted disease apart from HIV. Re abstinence, where there's a will there's a way and the urge to procreate is primeval in all of us. All Christians should protest this ridiculous ignorant statement. This church's leadership is still in the dark ages.
at 14:29 on March 17th, 2009
Who side is this man on? The good guys or the bad guys.....oh, I remember, he was an actual Nazi, once. Hasn't learned much has he? However, he does understand that the politics of religion requires the death of another few million Africans which makes him all the more guilty. What is a real shame is that many Catholics are more developed in ther realtionship with God than the pope (small cap not an error) and know this is WRONG. Sadly because of this crual man, they are powerless to take their beliefs forward into.... the real world.
Shame on him.
at 16:24 on March 17th, 2009
I support the Pope, and he is right abstinence does work.. Rely on condoms that have proven to not be 100% in stopping the spread of AIDS, because body fluids are found more than in the sex regions....Really masterbation is probably the safest sex in the world, no worry of the condom epidemic...Just think... condoms were invented for people to use thinking it stops AIDS, when in fact it increases AIDS.... People have a sense that its OK for rampant sex as long as you have a condom.....is quite malicious... and irresponsible. They say that in Washington DC the AIDS epidemic is worse than in Africa, and condoms have always been an acceptable American practice....yet AIDS is increasing in Washington DC.. So by all means use condoms...Anyone with half a wit of sense would not be putting their life only a plastic balloon millimeters away from a disease that is uncurable......
So bash the Pope all you want.......I am here to defend him.... God Bless him,, and you too....
Rev. Jermano
at 15:54 on March 20th, 2009
Amen! And God Bless you, too! Our's is not a very popular position to take, is it? Because it is a difficult one. But there is the Truth at the heart of it and we must defend that!
at 14:18 on March 23rd, 2009
You are incorrect. Condoms were NOT invented to prevent AIDS. AIDS did not exist when condoms were invented. Sheep skin condoms date back to the Roman Empire, while rubber and latex condoms have been around nearly 100 years.
To use the logic that just because they are not 100% effective they should not be used is not only wrong it is insulting to the intelligence of the reader. Using exactly that logic we should not drive since seatbelts and airbags are not 100% effective, we should not take medicine due to the chance it will not cure your ailment (may we should rely on prayer, right?), and we should not marry since it may end in divorse (and like you masturbation is the safest sex anyway).
Finally, your attempt to link AIDS in Africa versus AIDS in DC to condom use rates is a common mistake. You have confused events that are correlated to those that are causal. Go grab a book on elementary formal logic and call me in the morning.
at 16:21 on March 23rd, 2009
Hey thanks for your prescription Dr. But your data showing condoms have been in existence for years, certainly has not stopped the spread of AIDS. Do correct me if I am wrong, but AIDS came after the invention of the condom.
Right? I am insulting the intelligence of the reader. Go ahead eastvanray....I will bring you a girl who is known to have AIDS.....and I want to see you use a condom and do it to her OK? You are going to trust that condom? And by all means take the pick of any condom you want... You are willing to put your life at risk of getting AIDS, by placing a piece of plastic rubber around your dick? Have at it pal... Your logic in using condoms is like , mowing the grass in your bare feet.
Rev. Jermano
at 18:33 on March 23rd, 2009
I guess you have not found that book on logic yet. wait, of course you live in a communist country. Logic is banned there along with free speech, free press and pretty much most of your liberties and dignaties. I will let you get back to your AIDS-infected girlfriend instead.
at 05:17 on March 24th, 2009
Is that the best you can do eastvanray? Lets just say we have our own logic... and good ways of doing things. Your brilliance is lacking... If I don't want to have sex, and don't want to use condoms...I find nothing wrong with that....And I have no AIDS infected girlfriend. I said I could find one for you to test out your condom theory... What don't you inderstand here?
Rev . Jermano
at 11:06 on March 24th, 2009
You really need to excape that communist dictatorship that enslaves you. For the record: logic is not subjective. You may choose to be illogical but there are not competing schools of logic. Do they not allow books on logic in your dictatorship?
at 15:16 on March 24th, 2009
EastVanRay you are against God?. God is a dictator....a good one.
at 19:21 on March 24th, 2009
I am not going to debate God with you. I will, however, state that the Communist Chinese Government IS A DICTATORSHIP. The Chinese people are not inclined toward communism (as history proves) but the Government definately is.
at 20:40 on March 24th, 2009
You read the wrong logic book there eastvanray. The people support the Chinese government. And I think the USA is a Dictatorship forcing people to accept their incoherent ideals of freedom. Americans don't know what freedom is.. . Alll they spread around in the world is bombs and bullets, murder and mayhem. They think Democracy is the worlds health prescription, and clearly they are worse than a 3rd rate bankruptcy courtroom...not meaning to go off topic here.
Rev. Jermano
at 21:19 on March 24th, 2009
Take the time to read my profile before making uninformed comments. I am not American.
at 05:00 on March 25th, 2009
Never thought you were.
Rev.Jermano
at 17:34 on May 3rd, 2009
Your a fucking idiot. Ok so condoms only work 99.99% of the time they dont prevent the spread of AIDS at ALL! And you idiot you're government is preventing babies by their one child policy so in your catholic eyes they shoud be the real problem becuase they don't want more babies.
at 03:26 on May 4th, 2009
No you are the jokester ello. Condoms promote having sex....they have no real claim to preventing AIDS. Really if I was the government I would promote a no baby policy, because of over population problems, and the lack of jobs.
Rev. Jermano
at 16:31 on March 17th, 2009
Even though I do not agree with the pope, I can see where his reasoning is coming from and the dilemma he is in has head of the Church he has to follow the Scriptures and their interpretation to the letter as well as being a model to follow for others. He is not free to speak his mind nor to debate, he is bound by doctrine.
I read his early works as he was debating intellectual questions at the Sorbonne Paris IV, He had some great ideas and concepts, it is well worth reading his early works before he became cardinal. Now he is the head of a big institution and no longer free to debate openly.
at 23:59 on March 17th, 2009
That's why I chose to be Protestant. More freedoms, same core values. That and I've never heard of child-molesting pastors.
at 15:31 on March 20th, 2009
Rely? Don't get out much, do ya? Why don't you pick up a newspaper now and then and realize that child molesters are suffering from a despicable human condition and that it has nothing to do with their faith or religion... or lack there of...
at 16:42 on March 26th, 2009
Oh my! the ignorance and prejudice against Catholicism is in full bloom on this comment section.
The percentage of pedophiles in the Catholic Church is equal to the percentage of child molesters of any other religion, cult or organization. You hear more about the Catholics in the media, while most other offenders are not identified as belonging to any other particular religion.
I will pray for you and your offspring - as they will need some guidance from a better informed source than they will ever get from you, at least on matters of Catholicism.
Another thing to mention: the majority of AIDS victims in Africa, just like the majority of AIDS victims elsewhere, contract this disease through sex. There are cultural beliefs within some regions of Africa that make this a bigger problem than other countries.
The Pope is being responsible to make those statements. Ultimately, sticking up for Jesus and all the Christian doctrine is something people have been scorned for since the beginning of Christianity. So the fact that most of you think he is out of touch or wrong, says to me that he is doing something right! It is a lot easier to throw someone a condom and not challenge them to change any of their behaviors. And unfortunately that has not been working very well.
at 17:42 on March 17th, 2009
Many Africans believe that having sex with a virgin will cure aides. Others practice anal sex as their chosen form of birth control. African leaders have not done their part either in educating their own citizens. The Pope is out of touch with reality? That is not news. With countries in Africa where millions and millions of people have no work what do you think they are going to do in their spare time? Play XBox? No they are going to have sex. It is pleasurable and free. The Pope can try to convince these people to be celebate but I not betting on a high success rate with that approach. Just another reason I am not a Catholic.
at 17:46 on March 17th, 2009
Though Pagans here might not believe me, the idea of saving sex only for making babies is not truly a Catholic idea.
The first group of people in the world to tout the idea that sex should only be used for reproduction were the Stoics of ancient Rome, pagan, through and through.
Stoics believed that all emotion, sex, wine, and other activities were impediments to a truly rational consciousness. Everything we did for them had to have its rational reason foremost.
So, you had sex to make babies, and then you didn't have sex until you wanted another.
There is an excellent book on this: A History of Private Life- I- From Pagan Rome to Byzantium
at 14:21 on March 23rd, 2009
Apparently that belief system didn't survive the test of time. What good is living without good wine and sex?
at 06:29 on March 25th, 2009
Roy, the idea that sex is only for having babies is not only not "truly a Catholic idea" it is not a Catholic idea at all. No Church teaching has ever limited the sex act to mere procreation. That reduces it to it's animal base and is just as wrong as having sex only for pleasure. The idea is that sex is so important, especially in the marriage because it has a threefold purpose.
1. It is for procreation (obedience to God's command to be fruitful and multiply)
2. It is for pleasure (when Adam and Eve had sex after committing original sin, that was the first thing they had done right)
3. It strengthens and reinforces the loving bond between husband and wife (and the two become one flesh)
The Catholic model for sexuality and the gift of sex is Christ on the cross. He gave himself
A. Freely (no one forced or coerced Him to lay down His life. He has the power to lay it down and the power to take it up again. This explains why rape and prostitution are immoral)
B. Totally (Jesus gave us His life. His whol life until no life remained in Him. We must give our whole self to our spouse in the same way. That is why sex before marraige is immoral. It is not a total self gift. The self gift is not total until the lifelong covenant of marriage is sealed)
C. Faithfully (Jesus death on the cross was for Mankind and had no other motive. His sacrifice is the one sacrifice that saves us once and for all. We are wed to Him eternally and he will not abandon us, and so must our earthly marriages be an endeavor that we do not abandon.)
D. Fruitfully (Jesus death bore fruit- namely, the Ressurection and our salvation. Sex must also bear fruit, new life in children. When we use means that by our actions preclude reproduction it is immoral. This is why the church opposes contraception, whether chemical mechanical or surgical, homosexual sex, abortion etc.)
You might not agree. I pray that the Spirit would open your heart. But the Church's teaching on sexuality is not an ignorant or hateful one. The only ignorance and hate I see is from the opposition.