The UN is saying that the Catholic condom ban is helping AIDS spread in poor countries with large catholic populations. To me, it seems that some liability should be placed upon the people on one hand, but the on the other hand people are going to be people and the encouragement of this no condom policy by something as powerful as the RCC should in some ways make the RCC responsible for the health care of the infected.
Kind of a tricky problem. Thoughts?
2007-10-23 06:40:52 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
EDIT: link to the news story
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071023/hl_nm/honduras_aids_dc
2007-10-23 06:41:17 · update #1
Possibly. If they are supposed to look out for all the souls on the planet, then you would think they might try a little harder to understand human nature. People will have sex. A lot. Its what they do. Its generally how we get more people. The question is, should the church try to offer sound advice and help them even though they are "sinners", or forbid them from using protection that could save their lives?
To use an old Christian adage, What would Jesus do?
2007-10-23 06:51:41 · answer #1 · answered by Rafael 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
So, people having sex outside of marriage (which is AGAINST the church's teaching) aren't using condoms when they are having sex, and the church is to blame for that?
If they would obey rule number one--don't have sex until or unless you are married-- the number of AIDS cases would be limited.
You're right - people are human, but if they are going to go against church teachings and have pre or extra marital sex, why WON'T they also use a condom? They are just being irresponsible and lazy, and the church's policy has nothing to do with it.
I'm not Catholic, but the Catholic church is not liable for the irresponsibility of people.
And in a very meaningful way, the Catholic church IS paying for AIDS - as it runs more hospitals and offers free medical care to poverty-stricken people than any other group in the world.
2007-10-23 06:58:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is far more complicated than that. In ANY society where there are a different set of sexual moral standards for women and another set for men, you will have problems. In Latin America, women are expected to be virgins till marriage. Men are expected to be macho and virile. The two cannot co-exist.
Other factors such as poverty play a part. If a woman's ONLY currency is her body and she is dependent on men for survival, you will find a high risk of HIV contraction. The same applies to Sub Saharan countries.
The RC church's stance on condoms is probably a factor but not the sole one or even the main one.
2007-10-23 06:56:25 · answer #3 · answered by pixie_pagan 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You can't spread AIDS if you don't have sex, can you? This isn't anybody's fault except for the people who know how AIDS happens, and act irresponsible anyway.
It's not a tricky problem. I have never used a condom. I don't have AIDS. I have a wonderful wife and family. It's not tricky at all.
My point is, don't point the finger at the Catholic Church, or any other political group for that matter. Aids is going to happen as long as morons walk the face of the Earth.
2007-10-23 06:49:37 · answer #4 · answered by Nobody Special 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I think the church should voluntarily help in providing health care, but they should not be punished. They have their own rules and the Vatican is a sovereign country. The UN has no say over the internal rules the Vatican sets.
2007-10-23 06:50:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
What evidence does the UN have regarding these alegations? How does the R.C. help in spreading this disease..I always thought unprotected sex -primarily in the make homosexual communitys were the primary "aids givers"..W hy would you respect anything coming from the UN? What country or region has ever been exalted or protected by the UN?
2007-10-23 06:55:55 · answer #6 · answered by berry-steven@sbcglobal.net 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My thought is that if people would keep their pants on AIDS wouldn't be spreading. Don't blame religion - blame the lack of self-control on the part of the people who are sleeping around. AIDS is the consequence of their actions. They are reaping what they sow. Maybe if they stopped sleeping around AIDS wouldn't be such a problem.
2007-10-23 06:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by Blue Eyed Christian 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
What? The catholics are saying no to condoms for married people. Unmarried people are supposed to stay virginal. If people practiced what Catholics teach no AIDS spread. Check your facts!
Your arguement is totally faulty if I told you to jump off a cliff and you did am I responsible for your death. Get real.
2007-10-23 06:50:15 · answer #8 · answered by Zed 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This is what you call Darwin at work, this is evolution of the species, and all these hypocrites are going to meet their maker, because they are stupid enough to stick to this law of no condoms, but can't appear to obey the law of not converting thy neighbours wife etc..
You can't blame the church, they are not giving out bad advice, no-one would have aids if you obeyed both of their rules.
2007-10-23 06:50:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Actually, if people followed all of the teachings of the Church, then they wouldn't be in this situation anyway!
The Church should not change her ways to accommodate the sinfulness of people, people should change their ways to be in line with the holiness of the Church.
Abstinence, the fidelity of marriage, chastity, charity, etc.
2007-10-23 06:56:38 · answer #10 · answered by Vernacular Catholic 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋