Condom Fallacies

From Zenit:

Condom Fallacies

"Another book published last year, "The AIDS Pandemic: The Collision of Epidemiology With Political Correctness" (Radcliffe Publishing), also pointed out the need to change sexual behavior, instead of a wholesale reliance on condoms.

James Chin, professor of epidemiology at the University of California at Berkeley, devoted a large part of his book to an analysis of the numbers of HIV/AIDS sufferers, pointing out how often the figures are vastly inflated.

Chin also argued that the fears of a large-scale infection in the general population are unfounded, given that the sexual behavior of most people does not lend itself to falling prey to HIV/AIDS. The greatest risk of being infected is found among homosexuals and those who have multiple and concurrent partners, he explained.

The positive contribution that religion can make in changing sexual behavior was recognized in a RAND Corporation study published last year. People who are HIV-positive and say religion is an important part of their lives are likely to have fewer sexual partners and are less likely to spread the virus, according to the study: "Religiosity, Denominational Affiliation and Sexual Behaviors Among People with HIV in the U.S."

"Religiosity is an untapped resource in the whole struggle against HIV and AIDS, and should be looked at more thoroughly," commented Frank Galvan, lead author of the study in the April 3 press release accompanying the report."

Hasn't the Church been saying this all along about AIDS and condoms? "Religiosity" is not an untapped resource, but the only one to be relied on for the truth.

"The Church's view about condoms does not, however, base itself on to what extent it may help resolve health problems. Sexuality, explains No. 2332 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, affects all of the human person, body and soul. It concerns affectivity, the capacity to love and procreate, and forming communion with others.

Sexuality is truly human and personal when it is integrated into the relationship of one person to another, a relationship that is a complete and lifelong mutual gift of a man and a woman, the Catechism observes (No. 2337).

Benedict XVI addressed the HIV/AIDS issue in a couple of recent speeches made when receiving the credentials of new ambassadors. On Dec. 13, in his address to Peter Hitjitevi Katjavivi from Namibia, the Pope recognized the urgent need to halt the spread of infections.

"I assure the people of your country that the Church will continue to assist those who suffer from AIDS and to support their families," the Pope stated.

The Church's contribution to the goal of eradicating AIDS, the Pontiff continued, "cannot but draw its inspiration from the Christian conception of human love and sexuality." This vision sees marriage as a total, reciprocal and exclusive communion of love between a man and a woman, Benedict XVI explained.

Are they finally realizing the only way to stop the spread of this disease is through complete abstinance? I pray they do, and stop equating us with animals who have no self-control.