Should the Catholic Church change it's policy on contraception?

Question

Currently an AIDS epidemic is sweeping the world. In countries like China and continents like Africa, the Catholic church plays a fairly significant role in political and religious feeling. Should the Catholic Church change it's policy on contraception such as condoms to try and reduce the spread of AIDS?

On one side, condoms can save lives by preventing the spread of AIDS, but on the other side condoms can increase sexual carelessness and premarital sex by taking some of the "edge" off sex.

Maybe the Catholic Church should merely work towards better sex education rather than outright changing their policy? Or should they take an even harder line on promiscuity and traditionally polygamous cultures?

What's a good pope to do?

Answer 1

I think they should have changed their ideas long ago.

Saying no contraception does not stop premarital sex. If someone wants to have sex, they are going to, no matter what the pope says. (I don't mean to offend any Catholics out there - I am just stating facts)

I think that the church should look at the current world - that "rule" was put in place in a time when it was much more "innocent" in the world. Now there is so much more that birth control does than just prevent pregnancy. Doctors use the pill to regulate hormones and menstrual cycles, and condoms can aid in the prevention of spread of diseases such as AIDS. I think they are shirking their responsibility by having this stance and not wavering from it. They are supposed to provide safety and security and spiritual health to their members. Having this stance doesn't promote that at all.

Answer 2

The AIDS epidemic in Africa is undeniably horrible. However, there are a couple of points to be made in regards to the Catholic church and the epidemic:

1. Most of Africa is NOT Catholic, and therefore wouldn't fall under Catholic moral guidelines.

2. A good deal of Africa is nowhere near developed and many of their habits, both sexual and behavioral, are often viewed to be primitive, such as rampant polygamy, child or virgin rape as a supposed cure for AIDS, male sexual promiscuity, and the coming-of-age blood-letting.

3. Condoms won't make one difference if the habits are to continue.

In conclusion, the Catholics need not worry - after all, they don't object to the widespread use of condoms - they only object to their use by other Catholics. However, Africa can't rely solely on condoms to solve and curb the AIDS epidemic. They have to reform their practices and certain traditional cultural aspects if they ever hope to have it fully in check.

Answer 3

A religion should not be force to change it ideology based upon a political situation, nor should a political force be allowed to change policy based upon church.

A little separation is a good idea. Christianity is not the dominant religion in Africa, let along Catholicism. (the dominant religion is Islam) . Better education, more vigorous testing procedure, as well as providing low cost treatments will prevent the AID epidemic from reaching catastrophic proportions. The Pope saying yes to condoms will have Little to no impact. Catholicism is mostly found in Europe, and North American countries where we have comprehensive sex education programs.

Answer 4

Many would agree that the Catholic church (and others) are still living in the dark ages when it comes to sex. However, like any religion, the church has the right to have any statutes they wish.

Even a church goer has "free will", though. And, I can't believe that any sensible person would have unprotected sex with anyone they weren't married to. Unfortunately, in many areas of the world where these churches like to proslytize, condoms are not readily available and there are "taboos" against them. The churches would be doing more of a favor to these folks by providing information and condoms rather than trying to convert them to "save their souls".

Answer 5

I don't know that I have the answer for what society should do, but you are right that condoms are not 100% effective, and condoms may indeed increase the "occurrence" of sex. One African country - Uganda, I believe - had some notable success with its "ABC" approach (abstinence, be faithful, use condoms):

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Africa/BG1692es.cfm

I can't speak for the Catholic Church - I'm not Catholic, for one. I think, from what little I know, that it espouses an ideal supported by a well-developed philosophy, and that I welcome its voice, along with others, in the debate.

Answer 6

The Catholic Church won't be in a position to alter its place on banning using all man made start administration because of the fact it rather is in opposition to God's will that marriage be fruitful. whilst Catholics marry, if or no longer that is one or the two human beings, the two human beings grow to be one flesh. The conjugal act has a twofold measurement. it rather is to be unative and fruitful, (open to life if or no longer that is God's will). in case you get rid of from one in each and every of the two dimensions you enter into sin. Humane Vitae, written via Pope Paul VI replaced right into a prophetic checklist that partly defined what might start to take place to society if it persevered to apply man made start-administration. that element is already right here and an intensive open minded prognosis of Humane Vitae, 1968, Evangelium Vitae 1995 via John Paul II, and God is Love via Benedict XVI could shed some mild into the justifications why Church coaching holds that man made start administration will proceed to stay immoral, no rely if the individuals in a society heed its admonitions or no longer.

Answer 7

No... the African people just need better education on the subject. The only sure fire way not to get AIDS is to not have sex.

Some people in Africa think they can cure HIV by having sex with a virgin. That's just messed up.

I feel bad for the children bron with HIV(if their mother was infected), but the Catholic Church changing its position on contraceptives would have no effect on that either.

Education first. Thanks.

Answer 8

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 a person infected with AIDS 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.

In regards to sex outside of marriage, the Church makes it a practice not to tell people how to sin. Fornication with or without a condom is still fornication. Adultery with or without a condom is still adultery.

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

The papacy, to fulfill its traditional role, must insist on abstinence. Seeing as it can take 35 years for a person to become a self-sufficient adult and be able to raise children, and seeing as we are sexually mature enough to produce at 18 or so, guess what?
The papacy is irrelevant in this question.
(Actually, I'm not just speaking of reproducing, I'm speaking of creating long-lasting monogamous relationships in which we do not have to worry about multiple partners (as much) and therefore the spread of disease.)

Answer 10

The problem with the catholic church is that its views and practices are extremely outdated. If the church wants to have any chance of survival and acceptance in the modern world, it needs to change with the times. In my personal opinion the church has failed to do that, especially concerning homosexuals, women in the priesthood etc. It is sending more people away than bringning people in. And honestly, the church does not need any more bad press.