Regarding the Wednesday editorial, “A potentially deadly message”:
Pope Benedict is right. “You can’t resolve (AIDS) with the distribution of condoms.” The pope’s position is based on science. People with a disease shouldn’t engage in behavior that spreads disease. People with AIDS can’t donate blood, why should they infect others through sexual contact? Condoms were designed to prevent pregnancy, not disease. They are not 100 percent successful at preventing pregnancy; they have a lower success rate preventing the spread of disease. UNAIDS admitted in 2003 that condoms fail to prevent AIDS 10 percent of the time. Other studies put the failure rate as high as 50 percent. This is science, not religion.
Pushing condom use gives people a false sense of security and causes more infections by encouraging dangerous sexual activity. The editorial said that 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV. Many nations follow the policies of UNAIDS and push condom distribution. Alternatively, Uganda has reduced its AIDS rate by 70 percent through a successful abstinence only education program. Citizens are encouraged to wait until marriage and remain faithful within marriage. Not only does abstinence prevent the transmission of AIDS, but it shores up familial and community support systems for people with AIDS.
The editorial attacked the church for ignoring human nature. What is more human than restraint, personal responsibility and thoughtful consideration of the effects of sex on your partner? Only animals instinctually copulate with no rational thought of the effects. In terms of AIDS policy, abstinence is scientifically grounded, 100 percent effective, cheapest, and most affirming of human dignity. Affirming human dignity is the pope’s area of expertise.
Margaret Stampfli
Marysville
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