The War on Condoms

The Pope’s comments that the distribution of condoms “increases” the problem of AIDS caused a media and diplomatic storm across the globe. In an investigation spanning three continents, Mike Webb spoke to the world’s foremost Catholic theologians and AIDS scientists to discover why the Pope said what he did, and whether the lastest research might, controversially, support his claims.

The Alligator has an interesting story that talks to many experts about this issue. For me the crux of the matter is contained in Webb's ending summary "the real morals of the story." I do not necessarily agree with this portion of his first conclusion, which states:

First, the Pope should not make claims that can be interpreted as being scientific. Whichever way he meant it, the statement that condoms “increase” the problem of AIDS was seen by the world as a assertion of fact: namely, that the distribution of condoms causes the disease to spread...

I know where Webb is coming from but I do not think it is too much for the Pope to expect that reporters speaking to him remember that he is a religious authority only. After all, it is within that context that he is being questioned. Granted, I also realize this is my idea of a "perfect world" ... that people actually think about their jobs as they do them.

However, I can wholeheartedly agree with his other conclusions and appreciate someone's desire to look thoroughly into an issue rather than accepting sound bytes from either side of an issue.