Did the Pope REALLY say this?

"... the pope got on a plane to Africa, where during an interview, he opined that condoms were not the answer to the HIV and AIDS epidemic that is sweeping the continent and, indeed, they may make the problem worse" -Jon Carroll SF Chronicle


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...

I guess the Catholic Church's view on sex is "Be Abstinent Or Die"

Sounds like some neocons I know.

Locke: Well, I wouldn't call them liberal

Apparently he did.

It makes sense if and only if you believe you can cure sexual immorality with religion. The evidence suggests that highly religious teenagers are approximately as likely to have sex as nonreligious or mildly religious teens but less likely to tell anyone about it or use a condom when they do.

Here's two random Googled articles. There's a lot more.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8470845/

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publica...

The stubborn refusal of the extremely religious to realize this simple fact has killed a lot of people. They have their opinions about what the outcome should be and they are not going to change them just because a bunch of doctors and scientists say they're wrong. Scientists, what do they know? Same bunch of crazies that keep trying to tell evangelicals that the Earth is not really 6,000 years old.

Look on the bright side. The Pope is not as bad as most neocons; he is perfectly willing to accept unimportant facts such as the age of the Earth as long as he can still ignore things that actually matter.

Yes. The church is one of the most reactionary institutions in the world. Always were, always will be.
In a sense they are more dangerous enemies of enlightenment than other threats. The Catholic clergy are masters of deceit. In developed countries with educated citizens they don't show their true face to desperately keep the members they still have trapped.

But in any country that is majority Catholic and conservative they openly support and encourage the most backward tendencies and policies. In the Netherlands and the official line on homosexuality is compassionate, understanding, patronizing! but humane. That doesn't stop them however to silently condone anti gay violence in countries like Poland

This is not the first time a pope has said this and many African Bishops have said condoms don't protect against AIDS. The church even went as far as to encourage anti condom conspiracism to avoid losing control.

Bottom line the Vatican, not ordinary believers but the Vatican is purely evil.

The problem of AIDS in Africa is more complex then just condoms can fix. I think what the pope meant was that handing out condoms perpetuates the idea that sleeping around is ok. The problem is that there are too many people having sex with too many different people. Just throwing condoms at them is not going to help. It makes them think that they can continue their sexual behavior and these magic rubber things will save them from sickness. Most Africans haven't been blessed like us americans have to have grown up with so much medical knowledge and supplies that helps us prevent diseases like AIDS.
There is no debate that the best form of contraception is abstinence. You can NOT argue that. What you can argue is whether someone like me has the right to tell someone who does not believe in God how to live their lives. I do have that right, but you also have the right to disagree with me and continue on your life as you choose. God has given us all that choice. But he also has consequenses for those who do not follow his word and do what he says. But thats another conversation for another day.
But I have to say, I really don't expect anyone who reads the San Fransisco Chronicle to understand any of that.

Yes he did.

But that has been the Catholic Church's stance forever.

"All Birth Control is wrong. Period."

While ignoring the obvious problems with this view, it is not a view that is supported Scripturally.

I agree that moral instruction is vital to eradicate HIV and AIDS, but condoms and other protective devices are not evil nor should be prohibited.

Condoms will not stop the spread of HIV. Condoms have a 10% failure rate. The only way to stop the spread of HIV and the AIDS epidemic is for people to stop engaging in the behavior which transmits the virus. Everyone needs to practice abstinence, until marriage. There needs to be monogamy within marriage between one man and one woman. People need to refrain from same sexual relations and IV drug abuse. We want a panacea when the cure is here; self-control, self-respect, and respect for others.

*GO POPE BENEDICT XVI!!!!!

It depends on the context it was used. One could argue that condoms are merely a bandaid solution and that education is the best route to prevent spread of the disease.

At the same time, abstinence-only contraception is probably one of the dumbest ideas around.

Unfortunately, yes, yes he did.

Jon Stewart made fun of it pretty good:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index....


I really don't like this pope at all.

i don't know if he did or not. But I agree with his meaning. The answer to the HIV and AIDs epidemic isn't condoms. For one they're not 100% effective, and for two, abstinence is 100% effective of course.

The Catholic Church has idolized their lack of birth control for a long time.

Remember, religions that encourage birth control do not grow as fast (practically by definition).

Well, sex is supposed to be for marriage only. So, why do you need to get protection from your spouse if you are married to the person??

The popes are quite silly about anything dealing with life's realities.

There you go...

Cracks in the foundation....

Soon.

Sooooooon.

Yes. He also said that condoms are not the answer. That man is so ODD

He really said it and, yes, it is really stupid.

The pope made an ignorant, bigotted remark? I'm shocked. Next you'll be telling me that bears really do sh*t in the woods.

the pope used to be in the Hitler youth.

catholics are conservative? weird... big change in policy there.

condoms aren't the answer in Africa, in the united states it helps a lot. people in Africa can barley afford food. what makes you think they can buy a rubber? the only thing that will help Africa out of the aids epidemic is getting rid of silly superstitions and a cure.


i would have never ever once in my life called the catholic church liberal at all. they shun pretty much any type of advancement.