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Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
On the way to Africa today, the Pope spoke about condoms. He said they make the AIDS epidemic worse.
"You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms," the pope told reporters aboard the Alitalia plane headed to Yaounde, Cameroon, where he will begin a seven-day pilgrimage on the continent. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."
How many people is this man willing to see die to defend his outdated dogma? Can the Pope show us a population where HIV increased because of condom use? Of course not!
What the Pope said today was morally repugnant and disgraceful. He ought to be ashamed of himself - but I doubt he is capable of such humility.
22 Comments:
As usual, doctrine trumps human life. Looks like he's wearing a big condom on his head. I think Mother Benedicta could win RuPaul's Drag Race.
posted by Anonymous, at
3/17/2009 3:58 PM
This evil piece of work should be brought up on charges of crimes against humanity in the world court in the Hague. What can you expect from a former nazi?
posted by Anonymous, at
3/17/2009 4:26 PM
If there is a Hell, it has a place reserved and waiting for that backward nazi fascist. He is so stupid but because of who he is, the words are dangerous and irresponsible. He is an additional problem when his JOB is to be part of a solution. I agree with Wayne, Shame on that douchebag.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
3/17/2009 6:00 PM
You ought to look at the rest of what the Pope said. It is actually quite thoughtful. A part of it:
"The solution can only be a double one: first, a humanization of sexuality, that is, a spiritual human renewal that brings with it a new way of behaving with one another; second, a true friendship even and especially with those who suffer, and a willingness to make personal sacrifices and to be with the suffering. And these are factors that help and that result in real and visible progress."
posted by Janelle, at
3/18/2009 2:22 AM
Janelle, which planet are you living on? Abstinence only and just saying "no" to sex outside marriage just doesn't work in the real world in which this man is totally oblivious to and out of touch with. We've already seen just how ineffective "say no to drugs" has been, a total disaster. More than three quarters of the world's HIV infections are found in sub-Sahara Africa and rising steadily. The majority of males in particular just can't say no to the offer of random sex, straight males are no different than gay males in that respect. This man is not dealing with the harsh reality that as noble as his ideals are, they just aren't practical and its just not going to happen the way he'd like it to. Meanwhile, his blatant refusal to support condom education and use is going to result in millions more unncesseary infections and subsequent deaths. Banning condom use is the recipe for chaos and disaster causing millions more to die for no reason other than ignorance on the part of the Vatican. This is criminal negligence and he should be held accountable for that.
posted by Anonymous, at
3/18/2009 8:11 AM
Janelle: The pope calls for a "humanization" of sex. Guess what? I agree totally! But where was this "humanization" of sex when priests were raping little boys, and their superiors were moving them to distant parishes in Alaska?
If the pope wants a spiritual renewal, why doesn't he get off his behind and make it happen? He's the leader of the largest tax-exempt religious scam in the history of humankind. Hundreds of millions of mostly decent, yet misguided individuals look to this ignorant old man for guidance. With all those funds and that vast outreach potential, why just words from this self-righteous pontificator?
How about taking off his red Prada shoes and actually doing something to make it happen? It's easy for an unmarried, (allegedly:) celibate man who lives in the lap of luxury in Vatican City to make these pronouncements from his throne.
In the meantime, while the world waits for that much discussed "call to renewal" which he does nothing to actually bring about, using condoms during sex is a proven way to dramatically reduce transmission rates of hiv and other diseases. But again, it's easy for him to say it. It's another thing for him to do it.
The sad truth here is that the Catholic church is against condom usage because without condoms or any sort of birth control, Catholics will have larger families. Remember the Irish Catholic families of old who had 10 kids?
Thankfully, this has become less common in America now. Happily, the Catholic church collapsed in Ireland, so it will be much less common there, too. That's why the Catholic church is licking its chops and focusing on Latin America and "Uganda." They don't care where their filthy lucre comes from.
"No birth control" means more Catholics, and therefore more power, and more MONEY. As someone who was born to a Catholic mother and father, I take pride in speaking the truth about these types. It may be hard for many people to accept, but they (the leadership, not the laity) are a bunch of ravenous wolves.
posted by Chris L., at
3/18/2009 8:46 AM
Thoughtful?
The Pope's supposed afterthought word's of compassion for the suffering do not negate his message of lunacy and irresponsibility. Most of us take this rant for what it is. But worldwide the Pope is a huge influence to people of all religions and even those not religious. He is out there with leaders, politicians and the public. Some flock to his every word and treat it as "the word of God". Now that is scary. I'm all for the freedom of religion and speech, but when it comes to spreading false information that endangers human life then it needs to be called out. This is BS. However there won't be too many willing to challenge the Pope publically ~ in any country.
posted by TrevorHere, at
3/18/2009 8:51 AM
Jannelle: Billions of people are far far far from obtaining enlightenment but they pretty much all are screwing like bunnies and that is not about to stop. For that jackass who is perched up as one step closer to God itself to say not to use condoms is unacceptable, ignorant and disgracefully dangerous outdated dogma that leads me and others to believe that each life does not possess sanctity as that cloistered piece of garbage draped in gold jewelry states is the case. The Roman Catholic Church and other religions as well are willing to sacrifice millions of lives by instructing to dismiss known known ways of preventing horrific violent diseases that lead to miserable demise. SO GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE DIRT. Or better yet shut up which is what we are telling that jackass in his crystal palace to do.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
3/18/2009 12:49 PM
For almost 2 millenia, the clergy of this church have been committing acts of pedophilia, philandering and in some instances fathered children, yet here we are in the 21st century and a church that purports to be able to make moral judgments when it needs to get its own house in order once and for all. Maybe Papa Ratzi the Rottweiler needs to sell of all of the church's real estate investments, stocks, bonds, art and other intellectual property it possesses in the millions perhaps billions of dollars and give to the poor and settle the pedophilia cases now pending forever, in so doing learning a little humility before it points fingers at LGBT people when it comes to equality and church sanctioned discrimination, condom banning aside. This is all hypocrisy!
posted by Anonymous, at
3/18/2009 2:07 PM
Robert, the catholic church does this knowing full well why they do it. They couldn't care less about homosexuality, because the church is filled to the brim with gays, and they know it. It's all shrewd marketing. It's actually quite brilliant, too. The leadership (not the laity) knows that religious Narcissists need someone to look down upon and that prejudice is a central part of their fragile egos. So the church serves up bigotry against gays and lesbians as nourishment for those stilted souls. My mom and dad are still in the catholic church. I love them dearly and unconditionally, and it causes me pain to see them manipulated by this gang of thieves. They are so much better than these clowns.
posted by Chris L., at
3/18/2009 4:22 PM
Chris L. I know what you mean. My parents get letters wishing them a happy holiday and inside the envelope is another envelope to be mailed with a gift of money. No stamp by the way. Can you believe such crap? Imagine me sending a card that says "Hi Happy Birthday!!! oh and by the way, i am enclosing an envelope for you to send me money." LOL. PATHETIC. That guilt is dying and these hateful cults will be left to sell all the property they own. It is already happening and i can't say fast enough. Yeah thats right... i say to people like Janelle loud and clear: Not soon enough! And yes i said hateful cults. If Janelle is gonna defend all the good people in the church then let her give me more examples of those in the hierarchy that condemn discrimination against homosexuals than those who persecute. Thought out NOT THOUGHTFUL Janelle. Get your priorities straight and don't try to tell the victims of these institutions to look the other way. That is exactly what you are implying. Creton. The only place we should be willing to deal with people like this Janelle character is in a courthouse with transcripts recording.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
3/18/2009 6:06 PM
As far as I am concerned, ANYTHING coming out of Ratzi the Rottweiler's mouth, especially where sex is concerned, is ignored. AIDS has become nearly endemic in Africa and he is telling people to NOT use condoms?! Serious, serious disconnect there.
And a group like the Catholic priesthood, religious, and hierarchy condemning GLTQ people is beyond obscene. Nothing that closet queen in Prada has to say interests me in the least. As far as I am concerned, Ratzi and his apologists, such a Janelle, can STFU. You AND your church are superfluous.
posted by Merlyn, at
3/19/2009 4:07 AM
They send a birthday card with a request for money? They truly have no shame. It is both disgusting and brilliant marketing, too. The parishioner is placed in the very difficult position of having to either return a donation OR admit the painful fact that their church is exploiting their birthday in order to raise money.
Someone I know very well is friends with two Catholic priests. They go out all the time, have dinner, a few drinks, and they gamble, too. The priests told my friend that once a month, they turn down the heat in the church (during winter time) and announce that they must take a "special collection" for the "heating bill." All they really heat is the small parsonage for two priests that is attached to the church. But last month's "emergency collection" for the electric bill brought in over $11,000.
I remember growing up in that church when I was a little boy. Even then, there were "special collections" for the electric bill, and in summer, too. One time, I remember my mom whispering to me, "They are having trouble paying for the electric" and reaching deep into her pocketbook and giving them a $20 bill that she really couldn't afford to part with back then.
I am not even considering telling my parents this story. They still go to that catholic church, and it would break their heart. In past, frank discussions, I have told them that "religion is a scam," but this would simply be too much for them to handle.
posted by Chris L., at
3/19/2009 9:01 AM
Chris, I hear you. I officially renounced my catholicism years ago, I sent a letter to Cardinal O'Connor, not that it elicited a response.
Did you know that religious denominations get special breaks from utility companies, lower rates?
I also find it quite revealing that a cult such as this advocates feeding the poor and hungry and asks its parishes to collect money, yet it doesn't obey Jesus' admonition to "sell all you have if you want to follow me". Can you imagine any of them doing that as well as the other cults? The Vatican has a huge portfolio, real estate investments, stocks, bonds, shares, art and other intellectual property that it could well dispose of, settle all the pedophilia lawsuits and then it could truly claim to be christian, but it chooses not to for obvious reasons. Its as corrupt as any other major corporate business, its greed and lust for power dazzling. Need I say more?
posted by Anonymous, at
3/19/2009 12:30 PM
And look at the photo of her in that garb. It is such a blasphemous exploitation of someone i was raised to believe was a prophet. All those crosses with his hands out pretending to mimic Jesus himself. What a twisted cupcake that Rat is. You know damn well that thing gets ripped right off her back in private and she goes for the whiskey while counting the cash. Disgusting violent propaganda trying to permeate society the way it has for hundreds of years. Their motto really is "death to anyone who disagrees." If they do not make you believe it with their outdated superstitions they actually do promote murder. Its all true and we all know it. They are evil. Look at that photo. It's evil and greed. Prop that thing up to ring the bell on Wall street.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
3/19/2009 2:51 PM
You know, mail, I was just thinking that Ratzi's face radiates evil. I thought I might be the only person who sees that but I guess not.
I was RC for 9 years and I have never regretted leaving. I was just coming out back in the mid-1970s and a priest told me that all gays and lesbians should be burnt at the stake. That stuck with me, and though it took me anoter 20 years to become fully comfortable with myself and my sexuality, it has all been worth it.
I believe that Church authorities know that groups like Courage do harm to LGBTQ people but they just don't care. As long as it helps people stay in the church, either through membership in shit like Courage or being straights who can look down on LGBTQ people, it means that the money keep rolling in.
Churches like the Catholic and Orthodox churches that oppress an marginalise LGBTQ people are dispicable.
posted by Merlyn, at
3/20/2009 9:53 AM
I know Merlyn: We all have our stories. I was given a sex ed lecture in the fifth grade by a priest who stood in front of us with a raging hard on. That in itself is not unique but it was something we kids all noticed. Years later i got a call from a friend of mine that said "you will never guess who i saw at the Saint?" (a gay bar in NY). It was none other than this same priest who i happen to think is a wonderful man but my problem with him is his ability to tell the world he is a recovering alcoholic while hiding his shame about being homosexual. Just the fact he chose a club called the Saint is proof enough that he felt that that in itself would be enough cover for him if ever seen. As if he could say he was doing some sort of research or mistakenly walked in with pure and holy innocence. He is not an enemy of mine because he does not put others down but he does not live fully as himself. He is very well respected as a beautiful human being who could open up the minds of many homophobic people if only he shared about his inner self. His god given inner self. His gay self. I find it to be not only hyprocritical that he fosters ignorance but extremely sad for him. I am not the type of person to drag people out of the closet because i do not think ones sexual orientation is really all that big of a deal but when people condemn others for being comfortable with something about themselves and then some ignorant antagonist comes out guns ablazin because of their own self made emotional problems that discriminate against people, then all bets are off. This pope is purposely sending people to their death and he is very well aware of how much weight his words hold to so many people all over the planet. He is nothing short of a disgrace. He is the real terrorist and must be conquered and confronted. Then there are people like Janelle who came on Waynes blog, symbolically takes a dump here and purposely does not flush the toilet leaving her stench here to dissipate. She, too, is one sick tart probably in need of sympathy. Unfortunately for her, she is not going to get it from me.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
3/20/2009 3:08 PM
That is one of the worst thing about Catholicism's treatment of LGBTQ people. There are wonderful LGBTQ people in the Church who could be so much more, but are stunted in their emotional/spiritual/personal growth by the Church. It's just all so sad. Though I would never return to Catholicism, I had hoped with the previous Pope's demise, that things might improve for LGBTQ Catholics. That hope was brutally dashed by the election of Benedicta.
posted by Merlyn, at
3/23/2009 11:31 AM
Meenu: I knew you were selling something. Nothing further to comment about you. Herbal remedies do not work. That was hopelessly attempted in the 1980s and THEIR ALL DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!! You are shameless. I do not care if you even think your heart is in the right place. It is ignorant. Your silly silver pills are bullshit. And as far as your blessing of god goes, i suggest you take the valuable stuff off your table cause Jesus himself would come in and lecture you filthy moneychangers. HERBAL REMEDIES IS NOT A CURE FOR AIDS. You are backward if you think that and evil if you know it despite your attempt at sales.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
3/23/2009 3:01 PM
Meenu: i offer acupuncture on the Brooklyn Bridge. It cures the world of YOU. You get pushed off bridge and goal accomplished. Snake oil salesman would not be tolerated for other diseases. What makes you think you can screw around with the emotions of people with AIDS? Your karma is gonna bite you in the ass someday and you are gonna end up bleeding out by gravity alone. Don't for get to say hello to Jerry Fallwell. He is currently rotating on a pig roasting pit in hell. You get approval from the likes of Anthony Fauci or shut the fuck up.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
3/23/2009 3:08 PM
