Obama Versus The Pope On Abstinence Only - Pope Says Condom Use Increases AIDs Problem

[Median Democrat]

Well, this is going to put a crimp on support from the Catholic community. Obama is considering cuts in abstinence only family planning programs, and the Pope reiterated his opposition to birth control, and argues that condom use helps spread HIV/Aids. However, the interesting thing will be whether Republicans try to use the Pope's comments against the President, since the Pope also condemned evangelical movements as a threat to the Catholic church.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7950671.stm

/snip

Several EU states have criticised Pope Benedict for saying that the use of condoms could endanger public health and increase the problem of HIV/Aids.

The Pope argued that distribution of condoms aggravated the problem, rather than helping to contain the virus, as he began a visit to Africa this week.

France's foreign ministry said condoms were fundamental to prevention.

German ministers said it was irresponsible to withhold family planning from the poorest of the poor.

The Roman Catholic Church believes marital fidelity and sexual abstinence are the best way to prevent the spread of HIV.

Some 22 million people are infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, according to UN figures for 2007.

This amounts to about two-thirds of the global total.

* * *

The Pope also warned of a threat to the Catholic Church in Cameroon from evangelical movements and from the "growing influence of superstitious forms of religion".

/snip

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7951839.stm

/snip

With Africans - 22 million of whom are infected with HIV - hanging on his every word, that made his statement aboard the plane heading to Cameroon this week all the more significant.

There is something at stake that is greater even than the fight against AIDS


The Pope said the "cruel epidemic" should be tackled through fidelity and abstinence rather than condoms, and that "the traditional teaching of the Church has proven to be the only failsafe way to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids".

An awareness of the Pope's huge position of strength has sharpened the criticism of his remarks, by others with a more liberal approach to preventing the transmission of HIV.

Rebecca Hodes, working in South Africa for the Treatment Action Campaign, was among the most trenchant critics.

She described Pope Benedict's remarks as "alienating", "ignorant" and "pernicious".

/snip

[SemiCharmedQuark]

1. Do you honestly believe that the AMERICAN Catholic community follows the pope's teachings exactly?

The fact that the birth rate of Catholics in the U.S. is the same as the birth rate of other Americans suggests not.

[Median Democrat]

3. I Hope You're Right, Since Obama Is Probably Going To Cut Abstinence Only Programs...

...and he has dropped the conscience rule. I think the more surprising thing is that despite the fact that most mainstream Americans support use of birth control, the Bush administration was able to promote "abstinence only" programs despite evidence that such programs were ineffective. You can't take it for granted that reason will prevail. Heck, in the midst of the Bush years, there was a resurgence in efforts to teach creationism in public schools. So, if anything, the Bush years demonstrate how easily we can slip back to the Scope monkey trial days.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

9. Many Catholics in the United States are "Cultural Catholics"

Irish, Polish, Hispanic, Italian, etc.

[Median Democrat]

11. I Wonder - Where In The Bible Is Condom Use Prohibited?

I can understand promoting abstinence, but I don't get condemning condom use. Where in the bible does it prohibit the use of a jimmy cap?

[Harry Monroe]

22. This Catholic ignores the pope's teachings on this matter

I'm not taking advice from a man who took a vow of celibacy and hasn't a clue as to what he's talking about.

[firedupdem]

2. "alienating", "ignorant" and "pernicious". Agree!

now excuse me while I go look up that last word....

[Manifestor_of_Light]

5. Named after Saint Pernicious of Anemia.

A pale, tired looking saint.


(I'm pulling your leg.) :D

:rofl:

[firedupdem]

13. LOL!

:spank:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

14. Do I get a DUzy?? Huh, huh, huh?? DO I?DO I?DO I??????

:rofl: :bounce:

[firedupdem]

17. You should!

That was pretty good!

:yourock:

[BlooInBloo]

4. (shrug) The pope is a worthless piece of shit.

[Median Democrat]

6. Yet, the Pope's Abstinence Only Stance Was Federal Policy Only A Short Time Ago

We shouldn't get cocky about dismissing the Pope's teachings. Remember just four years ago?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-11-25-abstinence-funding_x.htm

/snip

President Bush's re-election insures that more federal money will flow to abstinence education that precludes discussion of birth control, even as the administration awaits evidence that the approach gets kids to refrain from sex.
Congress last weekend included more than $131 million for abstinence programs in a $388 billion spending bill, an increase of $30 million but about $100 million less than Bush requested. Meanwhile, a national evaluation of abstinence programs has been delayed, with a final report not expected until 2006.

Ten state evaluations, compiled by a group that opposes abstinence-only education, showed little change in teens' behavior since the start of abstinence programs in 1997.

/snip

[BlooInBloo]

7. So much the worse for federal policy only a short time ago.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

10. That wasn't because of Catholics though. That was to please Evangelicals.

Catholics supported Obama over McCain.

[Hanse]

20. The Pope's not so bad because Bush agreed with him?

Was that supposed to be an actual argument? Or a joke?

[valerief]

8. Nobody listens to Popey anyway. nt

[spanone]

12. popes poping on sex.....how do they know?

[Webster Green]

15. The Pope is a fucking dickhead!

Fuck the pope! :thumbsdown:

[Colobo]

16. The Pope himself needs some sex.

[LynnTheDem]

18. Dear seriously stupid dangerous idiot Pope;

You are a seriously stupid dangerous idiot helping to cause the deaths of millions.

So please, STFU.

[Median Democrat]

19. I Can Understand Pushing Abstinence, But Attacking Condom Use?

That does not make any sense whatsoever. Tell people not to have sex, but if you are not going to promote safe sex, then at least don't encourage unprotected sex, by suggesting that condoms cause HIV/Aids.

[saltpoint]

21. I think Ms. Hodes & the EU nations are in the right. The Pope should apologize.

[lame54]

23. The cure for AIDS is the best way to prevent it...

but since that is as existent as mass abstinence - he should just shut the fuck up