Catholics Call for Obama Aide to Resign

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I absolutely agree with you that Catholic doctrine provides a framework making it difficult to get AIDS through sexual relations, but as you say, that depends on people following that lifestyle. And even though the Bishops well know not everyone, not even all Catholics, will not live the sexual lifestyle in Catholic doctrine, as representatives of that doctrine, the Bishops can't violate it even though condoms can attenuate infection rates. I can't say, "Boxing is a terrible sport" and then remind you to wear gloves.

bezant of FL 3:08PM February 24, 2010

>but can't expect the head of the Catholic Church to contradict its own >doctrine
Of course NOT. It works. The more Catholic teaching the less AIDS. The doctrine works. Anybody following the Catholic doctrine has virtually NO CHANCE to contract AIDS. Furthermore, science tells that condoms are not a solution monogamous relation is.

George of AL 3:14PM February 23, 2010

We have the horrible reality of AIDS vs. religious morals here, but can't expect the head of the Catholic Church to contradict its own doctrine.

bezant of FL 12:31AM February 16, 2010

Somebody removed my comment. I will reiterate then: the higher the proportion of Catholics in any African country, the lower the incidence of AIDS (based on CIA factbook).
Rwanda 56% Catholics 5.1% of infected with AIDS
Congo 50 4.2
Gabon 50 8.1
Angola 47 3.9
Uganda 42 4.1
Kenya 33 6.7
Kamerun 25.7 6.9
Mozambik 23.8 12.2
Zambia 20 16.5
Malawi 19.6 14.2
Namibia 16 21.3
Zimbabwe 7.7 24.6
RPA 7.1 21.5
Botswana 5 37
-0.86 P<0.001

George of CA 4:44PM February 11, 2010

How the Catholic Church contributes to spread of AIDS in Africa?
Negatively!!!! The higher the percentage of Catholics in a country, the less widespread is the disease. Here is the statistics.
Country %_of_Catholics %_of_infected
Rwanda 56 5.1
Congo 50 4.2
Gabon 50 8.1
Angola 47 3.9
Uganda 42 4.1
Kenya 33 6.7
Kamerun 25.7 6.9
Mozambik 23.8 12.2
Zambia 20 16.5
Malawi 19.6 14.2
Namibia 16 21.3
Zimbabwe 7.7 24.6
South Africa 7.1 21.5
Botswana 5 37
-0.86 P<0.001
The majority of infections in the world are due to one simple truth that people are NOT in monogamous relations. The more risky behavior, the more risk. Condoms do NOT guarantee 100% protection because of the clause "if properly used." Nevertheless, the condoms are advertised as a GUARANTEE. What is worse, young people are pushed to premature sex before they understand the complexity of the problem.
Gay men are NOT paying much attention to what the Catholic Church is teaching, except if they want to blame somebody else. Scientific studies clearly indicate that the only guarantee against infection is a monogamous relation. Particularly in Africa, where there is no easy access to condoms in remote areas.
Despite the decades of warnings, the spread of AIDS to general population didn't materialize in the West. Still 60% infected are men involved in homosexual relations, and ~40% are intravenous drug users. The cost of AIDS epidemics in the US is staggering: One hundred billion dollars per year, which adds to 3 trillion since 1980 (with interest it is more tan 4 trillion).

George of CA 4:31PM February 11, 2010

The majority of infections around the world are due to one simple truth that people ARE having sex without a condom!
Many women and men who considered themselves to be in a monogamous relationship were infected by their spouse. This is clearly evident now with the increase of HIV infections among married women.
Knowledge of and the use of a condom is necessary in relationships!
Seventy five percent of the world population infected with HIV is heterosexual.
Fifty percent of all HIV infections are women. The proportion of adults living with HIV/AIDS who are women has been steadily increasing. AIDS now ranks as one of the leading causes of death among women aged 20 to 40 in several cities in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and North America!
Studies show that anal sex is common throughout the world and in some countries 60% of adults practice anal sex.
Condom usage is lower for heterosexual anal sex compared to vaginal sex.
Many men who have sex with men do not define themselves as gay. More and more women are being infected with HIV through sexual intercourse with their male partner, unaware their partner is bisexual! Responsible sexual conduct means using a condom and if this is not being taught then many more people will be infected with HIV.
Around the world the use of condoms is seen as a trusted weapon in the prevention of HIV infection, however, these efforts are often hampered by religious beliefs.
We will not see change in the HIV/AIDS pandemic until the use of Condoms are a standard practice for all!
Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ since 1984
wwww.PositivelyPositive.ca

Bradford McIntyre 1:46PM February 11, 2010

PEDOHILES SPREAD DESEASE LIARS SPRED DESEASE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DO NOT CAR SPREAD DESEASE,. ABORTION IS CONVENIENT NOW . SO IS THE SAYING NOT MY KID......GOD HELP BABIES BEING STILLED......

VERN FISHER of MD 6:15PM February 09, 2010

I am sorry but you totally missed the topic. The pope made statement on moral issues and noted that condoms do not positively affect the epidemics in Africa as confirmed by scientific studies. Monogamous relations do. The pope's opinion has no influence on epidemics among gay men either (>60% of all cases in the West). Unless you believe that gays do not use condoms in their sexual relations out of obedience to the Holy Father.
Yes, homosexual abuse of teenagers by the priests or pedophilia are strongly against the Catholic faith (as you perhaps might have overheard). Perhaps you heard or saw what the pope did on this matter during his visit in the US. If you did not, perhaps you need "condom in your mouth." I don't like leftist impersonators and impostors.

George of CA 2:35PM February 09, 2010

As a life long conservative Catholic, I find the church's attempt to mingle into politics appaling. The church would serve better by stopping priest from homosexual abuse of young men.
Where was the church's outrage when it allowed the little boy (who was fathered by a catholic priest with several mistresses and abortions) to die? The church signed a secret pact with Adam's mother and provided no support for Adam. It took public exposure and outcry from the American people to get the vatican to force the church to pay for Adam's burial. My Catholic church is a joke.
Benedict needs a condom in his mouth.

You Lie of TN 11:52AM February 09, 2010

The disturbing fact is that Knox is an ideologue (in the same way as van Jones, another appointee by our President). Obviously, attack on the pope by the Administration official is OK (at least it demonstrates "civility" so much advocated by the President. What is outrageous, is denial of facts. Knox dismisses scientific evidendce supporting the position of the pope:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/27/AR2009032702825.html
Of course, he is not a scientist, and this proves my point that he is an ideologue not an objective thinker suited to advise our President. This kind of "civility" invites Catholic backlash in the coming elections. Therefore, the President would be well advised either to correct his remarks or to let him go.

George of CA 2:34PM February 08, 2010