In a bizarre (and totally maddening) move, Pope Benedict XVI announced in a book-length interview with a German journalist that condom use, which has been long condemned by the Catholic Church, is permissible for male prostitutes seeking to stop the spread of HIV. Benedict, who has been criticized for making breathtakingly offensive comments about the AIDS crisis (in spring 2009, for example, he told audiences in Cameroon that condoms actually make the crisis worse), tried to fit his claim into Church teachings by saying that although condom use is not a "moral" choice, it can be acceptable if the intent is to "reduce the risk of infection."

Benedict went on to say that this signals "a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way of living sexuality." However, women are still not permitted to use condoms during heterosexual sex, because the purpose of heterosexual sex is procreation - therefore even if the intent is to stop infection, the result is still a destruction of the sacred nature of sex. Which is of course a huge problem for couples where one spouse is infected, not to mention a hugely sexist policy.

He made it clear that he still doesn't think condoms are a solution to the AIDS crisis, and that contraception continues to destroy the intrinsic beauty of sex, explaining that "becoming simply fixated on the issue of condoms makes sexuality more banal and exactly this is the reason why so many people no longer find sexuality to be an expression of their love, but a type of self-administered drug."

The Church's views on contraception are problematic because of their role as healthcare providers in the developing world - by refusing to provide contraceptives or abortion, they make it far more difficult for their patients to assume reproductive freedom or make healthy sexual decisions. So if this means Catholic hospitals will start giving male prostitutes (who I assume are having sex with men...? The pope doesn't make it clear) condoms, that's a tiny, tiny step in the right direction.
http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/pope-says-condoms-are-okay-for-male-prostitutes-but-not-women/


What are your thoughts about this? Do you agree with anything he says?

The Catholic Church is run by a bunch of complete idiots. If anyone who has access to proper healthcare listens to them for sexual health information, they should be shot.

I agree with him that sex isn't just about love any more and just the feeling, but condoms have nothing to do with that.

Basically, he is saying

If you aren't in love, you can't have sex
And when you are, you better not be using a condom.

Not good.

Sex isn't about the love, it is about the feeling, that is common sense, its good that the Pope knows that, I like how he calls it a drug.

Love is just one of the many reasons that people have sex, but everyone does it for the feeling.

Depends what you mean by feeling there Martin. Do you mean the physical sensations, or emotions or something else?

Sex is meaningless without love.

Sex isn't meaningless without love Emilia. You don't have to be in love to enjoy sex.

The feeling can be whatever you want it to be emily.

It's meaningless to me.

"You don't have to be in love to enjoy sex."

I never said that, nor was I speaking on behalf of everyone. Only myself.

oh ok, well everybody has the right to their own beliefs

What did YOU mean though when you said "Love is just one of the many reasons that people have sex, but everyone does it for the feeling" though Martin? What is the feeling that you were talking about?

I don't believe that sex is meaningless if your not in love.
sometimes it's about making a connection with a person, sometimes it's for fun, sometimes it's stress management. But then again if your in love, you could call it 'love making'

I may be catholic but I don't agree with what the pope is saying, condoms may prevent life, but they save lives too. The aids crisis happening in 3rd world countries is insane, the pope needs to realise how many people are dying and are sick because of it, wouldn't the pope realise that god wouldn't want that?
I suppose not

what he said