Pope Won't Be Silenced On Condoms and Neither Will I

Most of the world knows by now the Catholic Church's stance on condoms but enough is enough. If the Catholic Church actually cared about helping those infected with AIDS it wouldn't be condemning one of the best forms of prevention even if it went against their official doctrine. Just because condoms don't work 100% of the time in preventing the spread of HIV is no reason to preach against its use to millions of African people.

But that's exactly what the Vatican is doing. The current pope, on a recent visit to Africa, basically said that condoms aren't the answer and could even make the AIDS pandemic worse.
Here is a direct quote:

"You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms. On the contrary, it increases the problem."

How, you may ask. Well, apparently, there are tiny holes in condoms that allow the permeation of the virus. Can you believe that? And where exactly does the solution lie according to him?

Abstinence what else. Because that worked so well in America in preventing teen pregnancies. And monogamy too.

Methinks it's time for the Vatican to stop being so goddamn irresponsible and butt out of people's lives.

This world is way overdue for an Atheist/Secular/Humanist organization with billions of dollars at their disposal to combat the Catholic Church's irresponsible influence around the world.

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Religious Drug Use Ok, Medicinal...Not So Much

I find it hard to believe that some religious people can get away with using illegal drugs while cancer patients who use marijuana for relief of nausea get charged and convicted. Medicinal marijuana use is illegal in the US while in Canada, it is not. The debates still rage among medical professionals and scientists as to whether marijuana is more harmful or beneficial to cancer patients, those with glaucoma, AIDS, MS, etc. Still, I think that people suffering from these diseases should be allowed to decide themselves whether to use marijuana or not. If it helps some people ease their suffering, why not let them? Marijuana, in my opinion, is no worse than alcohol. In fact, I believe that alcohol is far worse and far more damaging to our society than marijuana ever will be. And if you are one of those people who believe that marijuana is a gateway drug, then you'd be wrong and it would do you good to do some research.

It is more than a stretch to say that the legalization of marijuana would lead to legalization of cocaine or heroin; it's a bloody leap.

Among Christians in the US, opinion seems to be divided on the whole issue of marijuana legalization. Both sides can point to passages in the Bible to support their stands. But is this really the best way to decide whether to legalize marijuana? I think not. The Bible is notorious for contradictions and by using it to decide whether something should be legal or not in the 21st century is absurd. Killing disrespecting children is condoned in the Bible; it's actually the proper punishment. So, should we look to the Old Testament to decide what is allowable here and now? The New Testament, perhaps? How about neither?

The Bible is not the moral law of the United States, though many would like it to be, and as such it should have no bearing deciding the legality of anything. Religion just muddles things up.

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