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

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

There have been fundies in the US spreading the same "condoms don't stop AIDS" canard for a while now. It scares the crap out of them that a few simple precautions can help people retain the overwhelming majority of enjoyment that comes with sexual activity while reducing the risk to something that's within most peoples' risk management envelope.

I'd say the main danger with condoms is in forgetting to use them, and/or the condom falling off or breaking during intercourse.

[jim-p.livejournal.com]

Well, if their previous record with respect to scientific insight stands, they'll correct their error in about three hundred years...

[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.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

Oh my fucking god. As far as I'm concerned, what they're doing is tantamount to voluntary manslaughter at the very least. I'm thoroughly disgusted. >:-|

[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?

[sunspiral.livejournal.com]

More like 500 years, which is how long it took for them to issue an apology about that little misunderstanding with Galileo.

[sunspiral.livejournal.com]

Is anyone really surprised that the Vatican would stoop to this? They've got a solid many-centuries-long record of a fundamental disregard for human life. Sometime get me started on my Why Mother Theresa Was More Dangerous Than Charles Manson rant.

[chhotii.livejournal.com]

Rant away! I'm all ears.