can i be excommunicated now?

[rmd]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/aids/story/0,7369,1059068,00.html

the vatican is telling people that condoms won't help prevent the AIDS virus.

Comments

[aliza250.livejournal.com]

Sounds like very selective truth-telling - the comments cited would be true of the old "lambskin" (intestine) condoms, which aren't widely sold any more specifically because they don't protect against HIV. But Grrrr.

As I already ranted in someone else's journal (http://www.livejournal.com/users/dreamingcrow/332881.html),
Scaring people into abstaining from sex, , would in fact be a good way to cut HIV infection rates. I actually think the Ugandan ABCD campaign has the right idea:

A. Abstain
  ...if you can't/won't, then 
B. Be faithful to your (equally faithful) partner
  ...and if that's not in the picture, 
C. Use condomns
  ...if you don't do any of the above, then
D. Die

One of the problems is that women in relationships don't have the power to insist that their male partners wear condoms. "Why should I wear a condom? Are you a cheating slut???"

Bleah.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

I believe I've seen lambskin condoms on the shelf recently. Back in the early 80s, the word had it that lambskin ones transmitted tactile sensation better. They were, however, significantly more expensive so most people just used latex ones. I imagine there are still people who are in a monogamous relationship, are more worried about pregnancy than STDs, and for one reason or another choose to include condoms in their pregnancy-prevention measures.

<overshare>I happen to like some of the thin Japanese-manufactured ones for sensation, myself.</overshare>

In the 80s, though, those brands weren't common, and the common brand (Trojans) were rather thick, leading to the old "shower in a raincoat" sensation.

[marith.livejournal.com]

Those evil, evil bastards. And they're airing this statement on BBC TV?

I *like* the ABCD thing, though. Can I quote that?