The condom is stretched to snapping point
THERE is a reality known as a personal encounter with God.
Millions around the world have had such instances in their lives and there are countless volumes of literature on the subject. Forget what the atheists might say - to them this is nonsensical, pure imagination or an escape mechanism from the troubles of this world.
The thread that runs through all these experiences is that from such a defining point, one's whole view of life takes a complete new turn for the better.
This is the truth Paul talks about in his epistle: "Behold, the old is gone; the new is come." The shackles of the old self are shaken off and man experiences new found peace.
In this Christian country, one who has found God personally has found potent ammunition and trustworthy defence in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Again forget about those who may brand this as religious gibberish.
One might ask, what happens if one contracts the virus before they find God? Well, they would have found strength to help them live normally with the virus and would not dare pass it on. Simplistic maybe, but true if that person remains faithful to his conviction.
The debate on the use of condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDS rages on. The poor object has been figuratively stretched from both ends by those for and against. It has reached its breaking point and will snap any moment, so to speak.
Our war on the virus and the related debate have largely been 'condomised' and about the use of millions of kina in donor funding. The latex has been promoted as not the safest but the best available protection against the spread of the virus if one discounts abstinence and faithfulness. Churches and some common people are vehemently against its use because it promotes promiscuity, they contend.
Stop for a moment to consider a world without the condom.
Remove the condom from the face of the earth and the Catholic and all those churches preaching a nominal, half-hearted message from the comfort and supposed sanctity of their pulpits will be faced with a world in which they have to work twice as hard to save lives.
Doubtless the church, both Catholic and non-Catholic, has been successful with all the social services it has provided around the world. It seems, however, that same church has shied away from the more difficult task (which is its original, if it can be said that way). And that is leading the human soul to an intimate life-time relationship with God - the God of purity and holiness.
The church's care-giving and counseling efforts for AIDS sufferers are commendable but are akin to an injured animal licking its wounds. We would rather see a head to head confrontation between the church and the devil. Let the war begin from the church and spill out onto the streets!
The cultured, 'refined' and well-educated may rely on his or her upbringing and social circles to make well-informed decisions and arguably avoid the risks of HIV infection.
The less sophisticated, run-of-the-mill citizen needs God. In the absence of the stringent cultural taboos of old and a strong attachment to God, the average human being is left at the mercy of the devil and the lure of the world.
Talk to an addict, a drug user or any other 'moral weakling' and they will tell you they have the backbone of a jellyfish to stand up to the lusts of this world.
They therefore need God. Rather, they need someone to introduce to them to God.
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