Is there room for debate concerning contraception in Africa?

[kainedamo]

AIDS is an epidemic in Africa. About 25 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have aids. That’s about 71 per cent of the world’s AIDS population.

I've been watching Comic Relief tonight. And what AIDS has done to the people of Africa is horrible. There was this one clip of a school in this village, made up entirely of orphans. All orphans because of AIDS. Another clip showed a woman who lived with her 7 children in a tiny hut - 3 of whom are AIDS carriers. Another woman talked to Billy Connelly, dying of AIDS. She died two days after talking to him. She talked about the stigma attached to people with AIDS. She talked about how people accused her of being a prostitute. Her own family threw her out of her home. Because of the stigma, people suffering with AIDS are afraid to get help.

It is my personal belief that despite good intentions, people of the Church have made things worse. Instead of informing people in Africa of contraception, they tell them that contraception is a sin. And they oppose anyone that does try to teach and give out contraception. Now, there are many misconceptions about AIDS in the poorer parts of Africa. For example, some foolishly believe that raping virigns will cure them. These people need FACTS. They do not need more stigma. AIDS sufferers do not need their friends and family thinking they are sinful. The Church is part of the problem. Their actions are highly irrisponsible AND selfish. Their stance is motivated by politics - not what's best to help these people. The people of the Church continue to let people suffer, when they can help simply by giving the RIGHT information. And all because a Pope took it upon himself to declare contraception a sin.

Your thoughts?

 

[GunBlade]

Overblown.

 

[kainedamo]

Overblown.

Well, thats informative. What's overblown? The problem of AIDS? The problem of misinformation?

 

[Noir]

AIDS is the My Chemical Romance of STDs.

 

[Golgo-13]

Education is the problem main. Then giving the people, as a whole, the money so they can afford the resources such as adequate health care, etc,etc so they can get checked out.

I was wondering, what kind of church are you talking about? catholic, baptist?...

 

[kainedamo]

Christians in general, but in my post I was being more specific to Catholics since I mentioned the Pope. It's funny that a Pope gets to tell people what is and isn't a sin.

 

[AndThePickles]

I think it's safe to say that the majority of the poor people in 3rd world countries haven't even HEARD of contraception. I watched a documentary on it for class one time and that seemed to be the main problem. People have sex but don't understand "how it works," etc.

 

[Golgo-13]

Christians in general, but in my post I was being more specific to Catholics since I mentioned the Pope. It's funny that a Pope gets to tell people what is and isn't a sin.

I figured it was Catholic (no offense to any Catholics). They have a very strict doctrine. I think when it comes to saving lives, allowances must be made when comes to following religious code. Understanding and compassion is the very foundation of Christianity.

 

[Kritish]

Africa isn't the Western worlds problem, the people of Africa have to change their country. They've proven over and over again that they don't want out help.

 

[kainedamo]

Africa isn't the Western worlds problem, the people of Africa have to change their country. They've proven over and over again that they don't want out help.

Nonsense. Charities like comic relief have helped hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of peoples lives for the better.

The main problem is corrupt governments. Africa has a tragic history of having tyrants and selfish bastards that waste the economy on genocide and civil war and use politics for personal gain.

When the governments in Africa change for the better, the country will change for the better.

 

[Kritish]

Nonsense. Charities like comic relief have helped hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of peoples lives for the better.

The main problem is corrupt governments. Africa has a tragic history of having tyrants and selfish bastards that waste the economy on genocide and civil war and use politics for personal gain.

When the governments in Africa change for the better, the country will change for the better.

People can give to charities all they want, but the government shouldn't be taking out tax money for this.
I'll say it once again, it isn't our job to coddle Africa. If I were president I'd make the US take an isolationist stance towards it.

 

[kainedamo]

People can give to charities all they want, but the government shouldn't be taking out tax money for this.
I'll say it once again, it isn't our job to coddle Africa. If I were president I'd make the US take an isolationist stance towards it.

It's a good thing you'll never be President then.

 

[Golgo-13]

Africa isn't the Western worlds problem, the people of Africa have to change their country. They've proven over and over again that they don't want out help.

They don't want our help because every place the US lends a helping hand in, **** seems to hit the fan. In other words, they want something in return. It's funny that the west has raped and pilidged continental Africa of it's natural resourses for hundrds of years, yet we stood back and allowed the biggest Genocide of the 20th century to take place in 1993, right in plain view, and did nothing. And it's all because we didn't NEED anything from them at that moment.

 

[Golgo-13]

Nonsense. Charities like comic relief have helped hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of peoples lives for the better.

The main problem is corrupt governments. Africa has a tragic history of having tyrants and selfish bastards that waste the economy on genocide and civil war and use politics for personal gain.

When the governments in Africa change for the better, the country will change for the better.

Then shouldn't we swoop in there, and dethrone them like we did to Saddam? Oh that's right, they don't have any precious oil, do they?

 

[Kritish]

It's a good thing you'll never be President then.

You're right, it's the western worlds job to be the world police.

 

[Kritish]

yet we stood back and allowed the biggest Genocide of the 20th century to take place in 1993, right in plain view, and did nothing. And it's all because we didn't NEED anything from them at that moment.

Wrong, because it's none of our business. If you want to go get killed join the peace keepers.

 

[Noir]

People can give to charities all they want, but the government shouldn't be taking out tax money for this.
I'll say it once again, it isn't our job to coddle Africa. If I were president I'd make the US take an isolationist stance towards it.

When we were going to invade Iraq didn't they say Iraq got Yellow Cake Uranium from Africa... So, by taking aid money from our taxes we are basicly paying for Terrorism I mean, Africa says they use it for research but we all know they don't... If you Got 4 Trillion Dollars a year don't you think the countries would have just a bit better housing than ****ing 3 Little Pigs style Straw Huts..?

 

[Golgo-13]

Wrong, because it's none of our business. If you want to go get killed join the peace keepers.

But Iraq IS our business? My point is, the US chooses who to help based on what they'll get in return, rather than 'for the good of humanity' picture they like paint and feed to the niave public.

 

[kainedamo]

Then shouldn't we swoop in there, and dethrone them like we did to Saddam? Oh that's right, they don't have any precious oil, do they?

Exactly. Mugabee was committing acts of massive genocide and human rights abuses while Bush was moaning about Saddam having WMDs.

You're right, it's the western worlds job to be the world police.

You don't want the west to get involved for selfish reasons. If everyone had the attitude of "it's not my problem", the world would be screwed. If you saw an old woman being mugged by a teenager crossing the street, would you say "I'm no policeman, it's not my job to help!".

It may not be our job to help people. But it is the RIGHT thing to do. And you read superhero comics?? I simply don't understand people that have no desire to see the world get better.

 

[Kritish]

But Iraq IS our business? My point is, the US chooses to who help based on what they'll get in return, rather than 'for the good of humanity' picture they like paint and feed to the niave public.

We have no business in Iraq either, we should have looked for WMD and that's all.

 

[Kritish]

You don't want the west to get involved for selfish reasons. If everyone had the attitude of "it's not my problem", the world would be screwed. If you saw an old woman being mugged by a teenager crossing the street, would you say "I'm no policeman, it's not my job!".

It may not be our job to help people. But it is the RIGHT thing to do. And you read superhero comics?? I simply don't understand people that have no desire to see the world get better.

Your such a naive person, it isn't America's job to take care of third world nations. It's America's job to take care of its own people. We have no right to march into little **** whole nations like Somalia or South Africa just because it tugs on our little moral shoe strings.
It's not our job nor is it our right.

 

[kainedamo]

When we were going to invade Iraq didn't they say Iraq got Yellow Cake Uranium from Africa... So, by taking aid money from our taxes we are basicly paying for Terrorism I mean, Africa says they use it for research but we all know they don't... If you Got 4 Trillion Dollars a year don't you think the countries would have just a bit better housing than ****ing 3 Little Pigs style Straw Huts..?

The problems aren't that simple. First of all, there is corruption. Alot of money doesn't go where it is supposed to. But there are charities that make sure it gets where it gets to - 100% reliable charities. The other problem is debt. Africa is in a massive amount of debt and has to pay alot of money back. A few years ago, Gordon Brown lifted some debt off of third world countries. If ALL the debt was lifted, it would be a massive help.

 

[Golgo-13]

We have no business in Iraq either, we should have looked for WMD and that's all.

And how is WMD our business? Just about every country in the world has them, yet we invade Iraq? Why not invade N.Korea(?), who have blatantly told the US to go **** themselves when it comes to inspecting their cache of WMD.

 

[Noir]

The problems aren't that simple. First of all, there is corruption. Alot of money doesn't go where it is supposed to. But there are charities that make sure it gets where it gets to - 100% reliable charities. The other problem is debt. Africa is in a massive amount of debt and has to pay alot of money back. A few years ago, Gordon Brown lifted some debt off of third world countries. If ALL the debt was lifted, it would be a massive help.

Name one 100% reliable Charity.
Debt smebt, the United States is in debt and what do we do? WE ****ING GIVE MORE MONEY AWAY!

 

[Kritish]

I'm all for people giving their money to charities, but the US does not need to be blowing billions of dollars per year on third world nations that don't even like us. We'd have enough money for universal health care if we just took out all of the third world aide.