What do you think about Pope Benedict XVI opposition to contraception & the use of condoms to combat HIV/AIDS?

Answer 1

it's myopic.

Answer 2

It's awesome! Sure you might not be able to 'do it' and not have kids, but that's real irresponsibility. I'm not saying you should have a thousand children, in most cases that would not be smart, but if you look at declining birth rates in Europe and the US there aren't enough children to replace the population. We need more children. But there are family planning ways that don't involve artificial intervention into a marital relationship- Natural Family Planning for one.
Go Benedict XVI!

Answer 3

Judeo-Christian tradition has taught for thousands of years:
1. Single people should be celibate.
2. Married people should be faithful to each other (adultery is wrong).
3. Married couples should welcome God's gift of children and, therefore, artificial birth control was against the will of God.

If the world is going to ignore teachings about chastity (1 & 2), then why is the world so upset about teaching artificial birth control (3)?

People who are already ignoring the more important teachings about chastity (1 and 2) should have no problem ignoring the less important teaching of artificial birth control (3).

Even if an infected person was to use a condom to help protect his or her spouse, condoms are not 100% effective (read the box) and the spouse may be infected and die anyway. A person who truly loves their spouse would not endanger them in this way.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

Sin fuels itself with its lust for sin, and contraception helps add fuel to many sins against Marriage like: fornication, homosexual behaviors, adultery, and respect for life. We get into danger when the Pope's message is not heard in full, and ppl only take headlines for information --- leading to cafeteria religion.

The original Pope who preached against "Birth Control" is Pope Paul VI; first Pope to come to the USA, who prophesized the dangers of birth control. Pope Paul's message (encyclical) warned that birth control devices would enslave women as objects. Wasn't the whole "Hippie - Burn Bra's" movement about women's freedom? Seems women fell out of the frying pan and into the fryer with this new "Freedom".

We are "Enslaved" by "Objectivity". Since the advent of birth control (Pills, condoms, sponges, abortion, create/ made legal in the 1960's) the pornography industry has taken off like a missile. It started with "Play-Boy" (1960's ... coincidence this was when the Pill started to be distributed? I think NOT), then pornography movies, then internet pornography. Would Paris Hilton have that Porno on the internet if not for contraception? I would think she would be more careful with her sexuality ... dunno.

Now we are facing major problems like, “Human Trafficking” / “Sexual Slavery” & “Crimes Against Children” because sin fuels itself with its lust for sin. Beastialtiy, dead ppl, and other horrific images are being saugh for the shock value. Where will it ever end? More women are enslaved by being "Objectified", and more and more, women's dignity is being lost. Men's compassion and humanity too is diminishing with this.

The Church teaches us that sex within marriage represents the "Trinity". Man, Women, & God joined together (Holy Spirit) to Create. Birth control is denying life and creation; it's denying God.

Certainly, I am thankful for some of the advances that contraception has allowed ... however, I do hear the Church's message loud and clear from witnessing first hand the negative effects of the contraception.

Answer 5

Pope Benedict XVI is old school and the College of Cardinals, who voted him in, wanted the status quo.

Answer 6

Until fairly recently, all the Protestant churches also agreed with the Pope's position.

God's way is marital fidelity or abstinence.

The real villain here is promiscuity and lack of concern for God's laws.

Get real!

Answer 7

It's destructive. They're going to have sex no matter what. Might as well give them condoms. If I were a believer I'd value life over abstinence. If they want abstinence that's fine, but do it one step at a time and once they've gotten past the AIDS crisis.

Answer 8

I think it's well within his realm to express his religion's belief that contraception is against the Will of God, and condoms are not necessary when sex is kept within the bounds He set, within marriage. Rhythm is NOT the only natural means of contraception.

Answer 9

His opposition is only half the story. It is accompanied by sexual commitment that needs no contraception abstainance which curbs desease and an overall strong family values which promotes higher standards. I think they understand that more catholics means more of many other things they are in favor of.

Answer 10

Forget Pope Benedict XVI! Instead look at Jesus looking at you!!
The wild sex life that you lead, what do you think Jesus, Lamb of God could tell you??

Answer 11

It's wrong. The Catholic church always wants people to have more babies, regardless of their ability to feed them, ( I hate to suggest that they are trying to produce more Catholics:--what a recruiting tool ).However, Aids being the problem it is, they should rethink their policy re. contraceptives.