By Charna Albert
What do the Internet, the Pope, and the daily news have in common? Bear with me for a minute, and I’ll explain.
As I sat at my computer, wondering what to write for this editorial, I browsed the New York Times web site for inspiration and realized just how lucky I am to have access to the news. Not only does my family subscribe to two major dailies, but I have the Internet at my beck and call for immediate breaking headlines. I can grab a quote with a simple search, or find entire articles on online journals for my senior research paper. In short, we, the children of the technology age, have more access to information than any generation before us. We have no excuse for ignorance.
So, as I sat here reading a news report on Pope Benedict’s XVI’s visit to Angola, I was stunned to read that Benedict reiterated the Catholic Church’s objection to the use of condoms. This coming from a man who is supposed to be a moral role model for millions of believers, on his way to the Continent most drastically affected by the AIDS pandemic? The Pope went as far as to say that condoms actually “increase the problem” of H.I.V infection.
No, I’m afraid that in this age of information, today’s youth are not going to fall for that. We are too knowledgeable, too intelligent to be swayed by such obviously dangerous assertions. The thousands of Angolan youths who crowded into a stadium to see Benedict speak know this, too. The Times article interviewed several young men and women who love their religion and their Pope but know better than to follow his advice on contraceptives. Florencio Lucas, a 30-year old teacher, admitted that he does not follow the Church’s teachings on birth control. . “Condoms protect you from sexually transmitted diseases,” Mr. Lucas said. “Condoms are very good.”
So please. Use those sources we are so lucky to have. Read the news, both in print and on the internet. And like Florencio Lucas, use your common sense.
Bearak, Barry. “Pope Urges Angolans to Help the Poor and Embrace Democracy.” New York Times 20 Mar. 2009.
