the universe according to the Vatican

[jillybean74]

Apparently it's ok to believe there was a big bang, and that life might have evolved on other planets (even intelligent life). But not ok to believe humans evolved by natural selection?
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSL146364620080514?feedType=RSS&feedName=scienceNews

Comments

[jillybean74]

I'm glad that that's the official policy, thanks for pointing it out. It's too bad that throughout history, the Vatican has contradicted science, as most other religions have. Therefore this seemed pretty ironic to me.

[jillybean74]

but perhaps it will minimize them.
Hopefully. I'd like to see the Catholic Church redefine its attitude toward condoms. For the benefit of millions of poor, African (mostly married) women who already agree with and subscribe to the values of fidelity that the church prescribes, I'd like to see the Pope listen to his science advisors on this one. Some bishops are calling for it, but not others...

The Catholic bishops of South Africa, Botswana, and Swaziland categorically regard the widespread and indiscriminate promotion of condoms as an immoral and misguided weapon in our battle against HIV/AIDS for the following reasons. The use of condoms goes against human dignity. Condoms change the beautiful act of love into a selfish search for pleasure-while rejecting responsibility. Condoms do not guarantee protection against HIV/AIDS. Condoms may even be one of the main reasons for the spread of HIV/AIDS.
-from Family Values Versus Safe Sex 2003

[jillybean74]

PS. I'm not really trying to single out the Catholics on any of this. It's just an ironic example of the contradictions inherent in many faith systems.

[jillybean74]

It was a little tongue in cheek and not really meant to be accurate. I think any biases I have against catholicism are probably less militant than even my husband's are.

[jillybean74]

My question to you is the claim coming from the Vatican or from the individual archbishops?
That's great that people are speaking out. Unfortunately, I think the current pope shares the more regressive attitude.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4081276.stm

I have no problem with the abstinence message, but in Africa, the ones getting the AIDS are the faithful married women. It makes me want to shake any Catholic official heartily by the shoulders.

[jillybean74]

Perhaps it's not possible to find a quote where the pope actually says condoms don't work, but according to fairly numerous reports, there are a fair number of catholic officials saying, apparently, that condoms aren't really "safer" so people shouldn't use them, and that the AIDS virus is hundreds of times smaller than a sperm cell, etc. The argument goes that people should be abstinent or faithful to their partner instead of ever using a condom. That works fine, if both partners comply. When only one partner complies, the other one is left with AIDS.

What about the children of such marriages, who are not at fault in any way? They either end up with AIDS, end up orphans, or both. I hate the fact that catholic officials go around saying "condoms aren't good enough" and use that rationale to justify bad policy.

The idea that condom use promotes a promiscuous lifestyle is what I object to. Even if it did, it's about saving lives and reducing human misery. I have to see proof that the traditional catholic teachings reduce

Re: Omelettes and broken eggs

[tblumens]

Excellent discussion, why was 'Bou's last comment deleted?
I side with her, I dislike the current Pope, and I admire the grassroots work - there's loads of it in Brazil, where most Catholics use contraception - when a religion is mainstream, most mainstream behaviours end up being reflected in it. Not many Brazilians are deeply religious, though, so people in general take what the Pope says with a pinch of salt.

Re: Omelettes and broken eggs

[jillybean74]

I think it was Andrew that deleted his own comment