Thursday 26 March 2009

Aids/HIV


















Before anyone goes off, I am putting out this disclaimer ‘I am Catholic.’ And yes, I know I am much more than Catholic, blah blah blah, but for the intent of this post I am just stating it up front.

When the Vatican picks a man like Joseph Ratzinger to become the Pope, is it any wonder that the Catholic Church is losing people in droves?

Besides being on the polar opposite end of almost every thing he stands for, I wanted to know if anyone has heard what Pope Benedict said about Aids/HIV in Africa last week.

Pope Benedict said that the condition was ‘a tragedy that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems.’ I would be laughing my head off right now if it weren’t for the seriousness of this statement and the many people in Africa who will follow what their local priests tell them.

Condoms aggravate the problems of Aids/HIV?? It is the one thing that we do know helps the situation and spread of this horrible disease.

He is so out of touch and such a loon. It is so time to get a Pope that is young and knows what the hell is going on in the world.

Pope Benedict insists that the Catholic Church is in the forefront of the battle against Aids, by advocating sexual abstinence and fidelity within a marriage as major ways of fighting the disease. Different but the same I guess, as being against the Nazis’ but joining the Hitler youth, kind of like showing you are against war by goose-stepping and saluting the Fuhrer.

In the moral and knowledge department it feels as though the Catholic Church is being run by the same person that ran the United States for the last eight years.

Pope Benedict also states that the solution to Aids/HIV is ‘spiritual and human awakening and friendship for those who suffer.’

Unlike being able to vote the worst President in U.S. history out of office and sending him to Texas, to hopefully never be heard from again, unless of course I hear the sweet screams of him being thrown into prison for what he has done (I digress). I think the only way to get rid of a Pope is that he has to die.

And this is supposed to be God’s representative. I’m not buying it for a minute.

*artwork by Natalie Dee

48 comments:

*jean* said...

oo i like your rant! you have spunk! i'm not catholic but agree with you...he's a dork with his head in the sand about aids...AND

...did you know that an organization in canada actually paid Dubbya to speak?? unreal....i would have given him money to never open his biscuit filled mouth again...in fact, i do an automatic eye ball roll at the mention of anything about him unless it is about war crimes prosecution....

ciao

Cheryl Cato said...

And may I be the first to comment 'hallelujah' to your post!
Lizzy

pRiyA said...

Wow woman, WOW! Finally someone has the courage to REALLY come out and say it in full blast!

This is one of the reasons why I love you.

Manon said...

Great way to start my day!! I agree with everything you said!! I think the Catholic Church is living in the dark ages and things don't look like they'll get any better anytime soon!

Sarah Sullivan said...

Thank you Renee - for saying again.... exactly my thoughts on the matter - of both the Pope and our EX president!!! Oy..... you just have to hang your head and think - where the hell are their handlers. Kinda like Brittany Spears gone wild. I was dumbfounded by that announcent!!!
You go girl!!!!!!
Hope you are doing ok hon - you are such a blessing to me!! Love you bunches, Sarah

Ces Adorio said...

Halleluiah! Finally, something I can disagree with you and on the eve of your birthday. If our friendship survives this then we can be friends till after death. I totally agree with Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict. The man said exactly what the world needs to hear, that promiscuity, dangerous homosexual sexual behaviour, drug abuse, sharing infected paraphernalia with infected patients will spread the disease. The liberal media has successfully propagated the myth of heterosexual AIDS and scientific research has debunked it. The condom is putting band-aid on a gunshot wound and if we think that will solve the AIDS problem, good luck. It’s like using penicillin on methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus – MRSA, once you have it, you have it for life. Except for those infected with blood through transfusion and clinical exposure, ever wonder why most women and men do not contract gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia, AIDS – because they did not have sex with unknown lovers and do not engage in dangerous sexual activities. If we expect promiscuous behaviour from our youth then let there be a disclaimer – irresponsible sex may cause death. I have lost so many friends from AIDS, nurses and doctors and all of them were male homosexuals. The only heterosexual persons I knew who died from AIDS was a 10 year old with sickle cell anemia transfused with infected blood and a young man with hemophilia likewise transfused with infected blood. I was punctured with an AIDS infected needle and for six months lived along the border of hell while they cleared me. My husband did not use a condom, abstinence between two sexually active young adults sleeping in the same bed is torture but I did not dare risk it.

As for voting out a president, we did, and in his place we voted America’s first acting president who so far has broken every campaign promise he has made, and for his supposed intelligence and eloquence, cannot address a crowd without a teleprompter or a giant television screen flashing his programmed responses or pre-select reporters for questions which are submitted before the press conference and reviewed by his staff.

I may not be moldy in terms of age, but I have lived under one of the worst dictatorships. People should reread Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. Today’s America is fast becoming “a society based on oppressive bureaucratic functionaries and a culture that embraces the stifling mediocrity and egalitarianism of socialistic idealism.” Obama is leading us to hell. The question is, where is John Galt?

Love, can you take all of me? :)

GlorV1 said...

You do have spunk that's for sure. I say just get rid of sex, outlaw it, and that should fix everything. Did I say that? just keeeeeding. Take care and have a great day and hope you're feeling good.

Anonymous said...

I am not a Catholic, but if I were....
Not sure what is behind the Catholic church ALWAYS choosing someone 90 years old as their leader. He clearly is not in touch with the situation in Africa - a nation at risk of being entirely wiped out by this horrid disease! Tragic, all of it...Africa and your pope.
Good post!
xoxoxo

Sarah Sullivan said...

LMAO Renee - you are funny girl this morning!!!! No more baby carraiges please!!! Have a great morning hon. Love ya anyway....Sarah

Anonymous said...

Dear, sweet Renee...I don't know how you do it...you write a few sentences and my heart sings! You somehome "normalize" my temporary bouts of insanity! Thank you sweet lady!
Much love to you
xoxoxo

studio lolo said...

I'm behind you sister! The Catholic Church in my opinion has always been living in the dark ages and has always been extremely hypocritical. I know of heterosexual people who have died from AIDS who were not promiscuous and were not drug users but their cheating husbands were. And using condoms is more than putting a band-aid on the problem. If hetero and non-hetero couples use them then of course it will cut down on the spread of the disease, but this is only one, very small solution.
That's just my humble opinion. I really do try to stay out of religion and politics :P

I hope you're having a good day!
Big hugs!
xoxo
Lolo

Tessa said...

There can be nothing more frightening than 'educated' ignorance. The Pope's absurd utterances render me speechless with fury.

Anonymous said...

As a Catholic to have a Pope who has come from being one of Hitler’s Youths to being head of the Doctrine of the Faiths (commonly known as The Holy Inquisition) which is essentially a church court that investigates and punishes heretics is totally embarrassing. The common thread of “holier than thou” can’t be a good thing.
I was in the subway station in Rome with Natalie and Debbie when he was elected - a little Italian lady told us there had been a decision made, so when we came up from underground the church bells were ringing all through the city, but there was no dancing in the street - I think people where all thinking “che il fotte”
As a reasonable person to believe that one single person could or should be Gods representative is ridiculous…one of my “I don’t need to follow blindly to belong to something” moments.

linda cardina said...

OOOOOOh I am staying clear from this one... just gonna sit back and watch ces and renee. gotta love 2 super intelligent women debating. please promise me you will always love each other! okay? :)

Renee said...

Shelly you stun me with your comment. It is so informative. I never knew what branch of the church he came from.

Thank you for this.

Love Renee xoxo

Kate Robertson said...

I totally agree with everything you have said. His comments are going to cause more death which could be prevented. How can he sleep at night..

kate

Anonymous said...

Ces, I laughed a little when I read your comments – are you kidding me? Renee would only love you more for sharing what you think. She has taught me a lot, one of those lessons being that we all have lived our own history which in turn brings us to our own reality. I love reading your comments on her blog and know she values both your friendship and your opinions.

Kelly Kilmer said...

Thank you Renee for this post...

studio lolo said...

Both barrels? I guess I did huh? I can talk about religion with more comfort than politics. I love philosophical discussions as long as it stays kind.

I've always related to ravens. I'm spritually drawn tothem which is why they show up in my art a lot. Remember I told you my native name would be raven something-or-other?
That's just another sister parallel we share ;)

Your current post is popular and seems to resonate with so many. Why am I not surprised!

xoxo
Lolo

linda cardina said...

oh renee, i couldn't pick a better, more intelligent, talented, FUN FUN FUN, beautiful group of friends to be joined at the hip with. I AM HONORED!

i am always touched by your comments. what a classy chick u are!!!! (((((((((hugs))))))))))) linda

ps i have my seat and wine...no tea. ...not for this one. heehhee

kenflett said...

renee...your blog is blooming, with a fist in the air and warmth in your heart, these little bits of you, makes me happy.
ken

Rosaria Williams said...

Renee, we're mad and we're not going to take it anymore! Don't you wish we could form a renegade ex-catholic union of sane and in-this world folks?

nollyposh said...

i agrEE with ya x

kj said...

i know of homosexual men who have died of aids or who are HIV who are not promiscuous.i also know homosexual men who are, but i'm not sure that's the point since that's not the problem in africa... not to mention the catholic church condemning condoms in overpopulated india and countries where devout families are forced to struggle between god and birth control. jeez louise.

as for that american president of 8years, i'm with you renee. what a freakin freekin relief he is gone. good bye george bush and dick cheney. i hope they both have bad dreams. for a long time.

good for you for a good post!

Ces Adorio said...

BTW, you know these are just my opinions about the church and the Pope and politics and people's irresponsible behavior causing distress to others? It has nothing to do with how I feel about you because I know that if I needed someone to join my team, you will be there on top of the list, just like my favorite analyst at work is liberal. OOOOH she and I have intense discussions but we just love each other and enjoy working with each other..

Every Photo Tells A Story said...

P.S. Hello, Renee:)

xoxoxo
Nancy

Aleks said...

You go girl,love ya!
RESPECT!

Mona said...

This was a great read early in the morning..

ostrich girl said...

Whew! I was just tuning in to say thankyou for the sweet responses and I landed on a bomb!
As a christian and not a catholic how about forgetting the so called "leader" and just opening your own bible for the answers.The pope is not the final say on squat.God is the only judge and final say.He offers:guidance,wisdom,love,patience, truth,strength and a hope for a decent future. His word carries the answers and you don't have to wait to hear it from someone you can read it and He speaks to you directly.That Book is the ultimate guide map to all of our crazy crossroad lives!
I am so glad to see you are in great enough health to get fired up!

Ces Adorio said...

On a different note: I just read that Winnipeg has the most number of elm trees in any city!

Now why would I be talking about trees? Hmn?

kj said...

this is like watching cnn and fox and mtv all at the same time!

and hey, it's almost time in my neck of the woods for a birthday...

:)

Ces Adorio said...

But do you have oak trees and which species?

Ces Adorio said...

The last time I told another blogger I loved her, my life was turned into a nighmare. Let me just say that I care very deeply for you and I wish nothing but the best for you and yes, my hypothalamus sends impulses to my heart that make it skip and some to my face that breaks my lips to a smile.

Ces Adorio said...

Aaack! Is it safe to come here and be myself or do I have to be a pseudo-liberal? Hahaha!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oh, I do concur. Truly distressing to hear him say these things and to think about the dire consequences they may cause.

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

Girl you just helped to free a whole bunch of people!!!!! YOU GO GIRL! As my momma use to say," Tell the truth and shame the devil" he he he. The truth is in your mouth sweetie. Thanks for sharing!!! Send you a 18 wheeler full of hugs and well wishes!!!

Anonymous said...

Here via KJ. Happy Birthday.

And yes, I'd heardthe Pope's stance on condoms. He's a nutjob. It's criminal to make statemtns that are in contradiction to both science and ethics. I mean no offense, but I don't know how the Catholic church manages to keep anyone on its rolls.

Anonymous said...

And another thing - you can't insist on sex only within a marriage and also ban a huge portion of the populaiton to marry. So what's the Pope saying? That if you are gay you can NEVER have sex? And for non-married straight people, you can also NEVER have sex? I was married for 20 years now that I am not, I am definitely not ready to get married again right away. So I'm supposed to be celibate? The idea that any sex outside a marriage is sinful or promiscuous is just mean-spirited. Except for those rare people who are both virgins when they marry young, everyone is at risk for STD's. It's not a moral issue, it's a health issue.

Okay, I'll stop now.

Flora said...

Renee, I came to visit for a little , I'm glad I came!!!
I too am a Catholic, but not
a very good one...Anyhow I hope we can agree to disagree. Because Ces is right on the money, I agree
on everything that she has said.
Blessings,Flora

Karin Bartimole said...

Amen sister, amen.

Anonymous said...

Can I get a Yay-men.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RENEE!!!!

Come get your present at:

http://www.madtexter.blogspot.com/2009/03/hey-hey-its-renees-birthday.html

Peace, big schmooch, hug and all that glitters!

marianne said...

Ridiculous.....(yes I have seen it)If I were a Catholic I would step out right away!
As an Ateist I am just shocked a man like that may represent so many people, for me it is just a confirmation I don´t want to have anything to do with which religion what so ever.
Great post ! Daring ! I am glad there are Catholics that can think for themselves, unfortunately not in Angola these people are driven into death........
Oeps normally I don´t give my opinion on these things, except among friends, but it really made me mad.......

Misty's Creations said...

I agree and miss Pope Paul!
Misty

Elizabeth said...

I'm new to your blog through Sarah, and WOW! How wonderful it is! The art, the writing, etc. I so look forward to reading backward and forward. Thank you, in particular for the forthrightness of this post. I, too, am a Catholic and horrified by the Pope. Being Catholic means I always feel "conflicted" and "guilty" about writing about these things. The thinking though is NO PROBLEM! I'm glad that you wrote it down. It needs to be said.

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Renee, I was complaining about our Nazi Pope to Rosaria last week re the Africa condom issue. I live in Rome, and believe, me the Papal Primadonna's presence looms over our every move. Ratzinger is in all kinds of trouble, the condom affair is only the tip of the iceberg! He defends his Lefevrian buddies who openly deny the Holocaust, he is driving the Church back to Medieval values, strikes anathemas against assisted death and euthanasia... but the worst in my opinion is his approval signature on a 40yr old classified Vatican document which orders bishops all over the world to cover with "all means possible" sexual abuse and paedophilia performed by religious figures. Disgusting...

mansuetude said...

yes, the Pope should try a condom first,... ha ha.

A condom on the lips of the nazi propagandists might have been good too, all that hot air might not have escaped into the air with lies in it;;; Geroge could have one too, and maybe Barak, i think they all need one...

etc.

great post~ and Happy Birthday to you every day~ etc...

Chrisy said...

As somebody who works primarily in the hiv/aids area I agree wholeheartedly with your post. How distressing the comments of this pope must be to practising catholics the majority of whom i'm sure are good people.

BT said...

Oh I agree with your every word here Renee. How on earth can that man possibly believe the garbage he speaks, and not feel he is committing the worst sin by passing this rubbish on to suffering souls. I'm left speechless!