Condom Condemnation
That “Ugly American Syndrome” showed itself again, these past few days, as the “we gotta have our sex” crowd in this country (and a few other parts of the world - mostly the “modern” world) condemned the Pope for his saying that condoms are not the solution to, but part of the problem in the AIDS epidemic.
In tour most modern culture, once ravaged by HIV but now only plagued by it, we believe that condoms are the prophylactic of choice against HIV’s hell … though the fact that HIV still eats its way through our society like the grim reaper’s second-in-command should make us a little bit uncertain … and wonder if it’s more likely that the availability of a number of super (expensive) drugs that is really the more effective barrier between HIV and AIDS that protects us against HIV’s full promise. Condoms, instead, may well be the reason so many still get the disease, even here in our so-clever and educated and technically savvy and well-able-to-buy society that HIV still thrives.
It may be that a condom well-used protects when it is used. But at the same time doesn’t it encourage the sexual behaviors that are needed for HIV to sneak into a life and perpetuate itself? HIV need only wait for the time the condom is not used, or is used poorly, or fails, to score yet another one for the gipper reaper to take his toll. The condom, and human fallibility, may indeed be seen as part of the problem if, as does the Pope, you both know human nature well enough to KNOW that we will keep on keeping on (sexually) but skip or forget, occasionally, our little guardian friend (the condom), and see the problem of HIV more as one of behavior and morality than biology and a little virus.
Were those offended by the Pope not so ready to take offense and condemn anyone who doubts their own wisdom and view of things, those who have been so loudly and vociferously condemning the Pope’s opinion, they might instead see his point … maybe even agree it has some merit … especially regarding that 60, 70, 80 percent of the world’s people where condoms are not so available, or habitual, or understood, or fresh and reliable. Where his moral remedy would guarantee what the condom cannot. Where, in fact, the condom almost guarantees the opposite, that it only encourages what will ultimately keep HIV alive and well as one of the most effective predators humanity has ever faced!
