Updated! Pope Benedict to Africa: Condoms Not the Answer in AIDS Prevention
March 18th 2009 21:43
*scroll to the bottom of this message to read an update*
Pope Benedict XVI has just made the most boneheaded and potentially dangerous statement imaginable.
"You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms," he said to reporters in reference to the AIDS epidemic in Africa, "On the contrary, it increases the problem."
There are roughly 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are that are infected with HIV, according to UNAIDS. In 2007, three-quarters of all AIDS deaths worldwide were there, as well as two-thirds of all people living with HIV. To tell these people that practicing safe sex is not only not beneficial, but actually part of the problem is irresponsible and just plain untrue.
Up until this point, Pope Benedict had not made a public statement regarding condom use. It is understandable that the Church's official stance on sex is that abstinence is the best policy in disease prevention. However, his recent words could have dire consequences amongst Africans, particularly those who are devout Catholics.
Rebecca Hodes, director of policy, communication and research for the Treatment Action Campaign in South Africa says, "...his opposition to condoms conveys that religious dogma is more important to him than the lives of Africans."
This is not the first time the Vatican has made misleading and harmful comments about condom usage. The late Alfonso Cardinal Lopez Trujillo, the former head of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family, caused a stir when he said that condoms may help spread AIDS through a false sense of security, claiming they weren't effective in blocking transmission of the virus.
I think we can all agree that religious groups are entitled to their opinions about the best way to get into heaven, the best way to lead a pure life, and the best way to maintain relationships. It is when they start interfering in areas of proven science and health issues that they cross the line.
Further, by preaching that sex is only ok after marriage, and condoms are never ok, what is to become of men or women who are married to someone infected with HIV/AIDS? Are they supposed to maintain their marital duties, because the Church says so, and infect each other and their newborns? Not to mention married couples who already have more children than they can afford. Would the Church have them continue having babies, or just stop having sex? What sense does this make?
I am appalled. To expect impoverished people to avoid contraceptives under threat of religious guilt makes the Catholic Church somewhat culpable in the continued death of millions of people. It is possible to preach against the so-called sins of the flesh while still advising those that would continue to have sex to protect themselves. No one argues that behavioral modifications are necessary in the overall battle against disease and unwanted pregnancy, but condoms are a huge step in helping to keep people safe.
**Update** Our friend Post Modern Critic has supplied us with a link to an online petition specific to this very topic. If you'd like to sign and show support for the cause, please click on the link below:
Sign Here
souces:
BBC.com
MSNBC.com
UNAIDS.com
Pope Benedict XVI has just made the most boneheaded and potentially dangerous statement imaginable.
"You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms," he said to reporters in reference to the AIDS epidemic in Africa, "On the contrary, it increases the problem."
There are roughly 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are that are infected with HIV, according to UNAIDS. In 2007, three-quarters of all AIDS deaths worldwide were there, as well as two-thirds of all people living with HIV. To tell these people that practicing safe sex is not only not beneficial, but actually part of the problem is irresponsible and just plain untrue.
A nun was among throngs greeting Pope Benedict XVI as he arrived in Yaounde, Cameroon. (finbarr o'reilly/reuters)
Up until this point, Pope Benedict had not made a public statement regarding condom use. It is understandable that the Church's official stance on sex is that abstinence is the best policy in disease prevention. However, his recent words could have dire consequences amongst Africans, particularly those who are devout Catholics.
Rebecca Hodes, director of policy, communication and research for the Treatment Action Campaign in South Africa says, "...his opposition to condoms conveys that religious dogma is more important to him than the lives of Africans."
This is not the first time the Vatican has made misleading and harmful comments about condom usage. The late Alfonso Cardinal Lopez Trujillo, the former head of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family, caused a stir when he said that condoms may help spread AIDS through a false sense of security, claiming they weren't effective in blocking transmission of the virus.
I think we can all agree that religious groups are entitled to their opinions about the best way to get into heaven, the best way to lead a pure life, and the best way to maintain relationships. It is when they start interfering in areas of proven science and health issues that they cross the line.
Further, by preaching that sex is only ok after marriage, and condoms are never ok, what is to become of men or women who are married to someone infected with HIV/AIDS? Are they supposed to maintain their marital duties, because the Church says so, and infect each other and their newborns? Not to mention married couples who already have more children than they can afford. Would the Church have them continue having babies, or just stop having sex? What sense does this make?
I am appalled. To expect impoverished people to avoid contraceptives under threat of religious guilt makes the Catholic Church somewhat culpable in the continued death of millions of people. It is possible to preach against the so-called sins of the flesh while still advising those that would continue to have sex to protect themselves. No one argues that behavioral modifications are necessary in the overall battle against disease and unwanted pregnancy, but condoms are a huge step in helping to keep people safe.
**Update** Our friend Post Modern Critic has supplied us with a link to an online petition specific to this very topic. If you'd like to sign and show support for the cause, please click on the link below:
To His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI: We appeal to your compassion to consider the men, women, children - and the poor - who are at grave risk from the spread of HIV/AIDS. We urge you to exercise care in your public statements, and refrain from undermining life-saving public education and AIDS prevention programs on the use of condoms.
Sign Here
souces:
BBC.com
MSNBC.com
UNAIDS.com
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Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
Great men of former times such as Pope Pius X (of fond memory and benediction) and Pope Pius V (of the same) would have told the truth. The current pope likes reading Herman Hesse. He's a Ciceronian.
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
My grandmother had 15 children at great risk to her own health because the family was Catholic and therefore not allowed to use any form of birth control other than abstinence (which according to the priest at the time was unnacceptable as she had a duty to provide sex for her husband) or 'natural' methods. Fifteen kids, natural contraception worked well didn't it? Well imagine how good it would be as protection from disease!
To tell people who are in the worst possible circumstances where HIV is at epidemic levels not to keep themselves safe is barbaric.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
irresponsible . . .
and i dont get the issue with condoms in general, the sperm is released regardless of whether there is a condom blocking it or not, at least when you use one you have some likelihood of preventing infection
Comment by Time to Get Up Club
Comment by Time to Get Up Club
Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
Morgan Bell should get off her lazy arse and go and do something about the multitude of causes she professes to champion.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
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Movie Train
Comment by Anonymous from above
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
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Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
I have always been one to respect a religion's right to make statements regarding morality, and I don't think anyone is trying to diminish the Vatican's right to do so.
That said, it shocks me that the Pope would make statements that are designed to deter safe sex in general. It really is time for Catholics to move into the 21st century. I mean, the Vatican told people its ok to believe in UFOs for pete's sake. You'd think condoms would make it to their list of acceptable behavior after that!
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Meanwhile the amount of sex abuse claims made against Catholic priests in America has risen...again.
The right to make statements on morality? I don't think so.
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
If their public statement on morality included acceptance of pedophilia...totally different story. That isn't protected speech.
Not defending the actions or the philosophy.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
I was SO pissed off when I heard the news... I think this makes me officially hate the Pope. Poor Christians in Africa...
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Comment by shadowmoon87
How can people still listen to this man?
He forgave that priest who denied holocaust and denied the existence of gas chambers.
Now he says that condoms can help spread aids.
For me it only shows that we shouldn't underestimate human stupidity and how too much faith can blind people to a scary degree.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Really Long Link
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Comment by shadowmoon87
Time to sign it.