Church Participation in Sex Education

survey paper on the conflict between condoms advocates and Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church is composed of over one million members, in an established hierarchy, with followers totaling one-sixth of the world's population. The traditional stand of the Church supports the idea that the human soul is the key to eternal life and that the human body is only a temporary container. Therefore, avoiding the sin of premarital sex is more important than the health of the temporary body. This simple idea is one of many spawning points, sparking the controversy of whether or not condoms advance the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The Opposition to the Churches stance include organizations such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Advocates for Youth, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These organizations advertise the use of condoms regardless of moral beliefs and say that the correct use of condoms is the key to limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS. However, these organizations emphasize the possibility that these products, having been manufactured, are capable of malfunction or failure and, therefore, do not provide the means to conduct100% safe sex.
The Pope stated "the distribution of condoms" will not "overcome" the "tragedy" of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa and went further to comment that using condoms "even further aggravates the problems." Should the Vatican be a voice of sex education in any country? Educational opportunities are minimal in Africa, and the words of a religious leader are taken very seriously. Putting forth no alternative for the sinful and disregarding an effective tool is a position the Catholic Church should reevaluate.
In a recent survey of 20 college students, 75% said they received sex education in school, and 95% believed that condoms prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. However, when presented with these remarks from Pope Benedict XVI then asked whether or not condoms encourage the spread of HIV/AIDS, 65% continued to agree that condoms are effective. Of the 30% who changed their positions, 100% are Christians or Catholics. This is evidence that the hierarchy of the Catholic Church is very influential and that it provides moral decision assistance for many people, whether they realize it or not.
The Catholic Church has an extensive network of churches throughout Africa and has provided provisions and medical aid to countless millions of both infected and non-infected locals for many years. When asked if the Vatican Church should be involved in sexual education in any country, those surveyed were split, even down the middle. The Churches' stance on sex is abstinence, and it provides no alternative that is acceptable in the eyes of God and therefore does not advocate contraception. The main answer people provided to the question remain consistent. "Parental guidance" was provided as an alternative by three of those who said no. One surveyor went as far as to express that sex education should be conducted by the state schools, and parents must attend the classes with their children. Personally, I never would have been comfortable in that situation.
One of the respondents had the following to say: "In the line of work that I do, (Paramedic) I am exposed to these [HIV/AIDS] on a daily basis, therefore, I hope everyone will take all the precautions to prevent the spread of these [HIV/AIDS]." Medical experts tend to agree that some protection is a better alternative than none. In a recent news report from CNN, opposition from inside the Catholic hierarchy itself, including several priests and bishops, has emerged. On March 21st 2009 Bishop Januario Toral Ferreira of Portugal, a long time supporter of condom use, said that "From a medical point of view, I have no doubt that there are obviously circumstances where prohibiting condoms is to consent to the death of many people." He was questioned about having a different opinion about the issue, to which he replied "Everyone knows what I think about condom use. It is the people who are advising the pope, who should be more cultured."
Condoms are up for discussion and being carefully approached by the heads of Catholic organizations. In May 2008 many of these leaders met in Rome, including Italian missionary Maria Martinelli and several African Bishops, to protest the churches' stance on condom use, expressing that many circumstances exist for which condoms are necessary. Having the last major religion withdraw their anti-contraception policies would go to great lengths in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Most recently, a Catholic Church in Spain is donating one million condoms to Africa.

Brett Z.