Busted Halo . BustedBlog » Features » Why I disagree but don’t with the Pope on condoms

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So, being 28… On Overthinking (and Susan Boyle) How Heresy Becomes Theology Why talking to certain Catholics is like talking to communists Changes to the Blog More Blog Entries	BustedBlog March 18th, 2009 Why I disagree but don’t with the Pope on condoms by Jeff Guhin To be honest, I am a bit heterodox on this one. (I dissent from Church Teaching. It’s true. It happens sometimes.) I recognize that condoms could really help the situation in Africa, but I am with the Pope on this mostly, in that I think he is right to warn people that condoms are far from a panacea. There need to be significant changes in Africa, and (here’s where I show my liberal stripes) most of them need to be economic. I actually think its ironic that leftists, who are generally rightly suspicious of rational-choice individualism, think that if you just give everyone a condom the problems be solved. There are structural problems that have to be dealt with at all levels, and to imply that giving condoms will solve them might actually be worse , if we mistake a bandage for surgery. That said, I think the theology behind banning condoms is flawed and inconsistent. But that’s another post. For a smart analysis of why condoms won’t solve anything, see this post in America. print email editor comments (2) 2 comments about “Why I disagree but don’t with the Pope on condoms” judy -- March 19th, 2009 at 1:14 pm The problem is this : while the pope may condemn the use of condoms for all the sexually moral reasons the magisterium may posit the bottom-line is this : milllions of women are being exposed daily to deadly viruses that can be significantly reduced through the use of condoms during sexual activity. Yes, there are more things tjat need attention in the countries of Africa that go way beyond condom use–however until that happens, saving lives is paramount. Everytime there is an incidence of unprotected sex, lives are endangered–men, women, children, babies. If the Catholic Church is truly the Church of life, then the pope needs to acknowledge that the protection of life must be front and center. Sexual abstinence may be a reality in the Vatican, but in healthy marriages it is actually damaging to the relationship. Add to the mix relationships in cultures which are heavily patriarchal, have low education levels and sub-standard access to good medical care . Pope Benedict, please look beyond the walls of St. Peter’s, get your hands dirty and really feel how real people, real Catholics live. It’s messy out there ! Greg Popcak -- March 19th, 2009 at 3:49 pm Hello Jeff, Thought I’d chime in as a friend of BH and something of an expert on sex and Catholic Sexuality in particular (I’m the author of Holy Sex! a Catholic Guide to Mind Blowing, Toe-Curling, Infallible Loving) One may certainly hold a different opinion than Pope Benedict, but one cannot argue that the Pope is ignorant on this matter. The facts are actually on his side. According to Dr. Edward Green of the Harvard AIDS Prevention Research Project, the effect of condoms is highly over-rated. In fact, in those countries, like Uganda and the Philippines, who have eschewed condom-based programs for those emphasizing abstinence, respect for persons, and marital fidelity have had success curbing HIV/AIDS transmission rates that far outstrip the success of those countries who employ condom-based approaches. Secondly, condoms do increase risk of transmission, according to research conducted by the University of Texas because they convey the illusion of safety. “Safe sex” does not mean “risk free sex.” Third, studies of people who use condoms report that they actually do not use them 60% of the time. Likewise, 13% of the time, condoms will slip down the penis far enough for infected fluid to be exchanged. (Of course, condoms do not prevent HIV/AIDS transmission by oral sex). So, despite the fact that “everyone knows” that “condoms are necessary” in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the Pope’s comments were more reflective of science than mere theology. Disagreement with the Pope is one thing. May I respectfully suggest that basic ignorance of the facts, however, is really unacceptable. 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