Condoms and Valentine's Day

Well what do you know, it's that time of the year again! The big heart's day is here! However you want to interpret it, it's all about love between couples and not so much for singles out there. Yeah, interpret 'love' the way you want it.

Some defines 'love' on V-day as copulating (sounds more formal does it?) that's why some organizations bother distributing condoms for free. According to them, giving out condoms is a precautionary measure to stop the spread of the dreaded AIDS.

Things that came to my mind. 'Huh? (supposed to be dumbstruck) You will use condom because you assume of the possibility that your partner has AIDS? Or you will use condom because you'll have sex with someone you're not sure if s/he has AIDS or not? Maybe someone you just met somewhere, someone like a whore, a pick-up girl? Or you will use condom because you were open to the possibility that your wife/husband/partner had an extra-marital affair that poses the risk of him/her acquiring AIDS? Or maybe you will use condom because you are the on who's not faithful who might have the virus?'

And of course, as always, the Church wants to take part on the 'issue' (which I think is not really to be considered an issue') that opposes this kind of move.

First thing that came to my mind, 'Huh? (supposed to be dumbstruck) The Church doesn't support the prevention of AIDS?'

Okay those thoughts sound ridiculous at some point. I mean, we can never say one side is absolutely correct nor absolutely wrong. I think I understand the stand of both parties.

For those pro-condom use:
What they are pushing is right but what they are implying sounds discouraging. Like what? Either of the couple might have AIDS and they might not be sure about it that's why it will a lot safer to use condoms. What? Ridiculous. Or they're positive one of them has it, but how s/he got it is the question. Getting services from prostitutes? What?

Or it can also imply even if you have AIDS you can still have the worldly pleasures by using condoms. Why not just say, 'If you have AIDS, please try not to engage in sexual activities.' I think that proposal is 100% more effective in fighting the spread of the virus than using condoms.

For those anti-condom use:
I think the Church is not really against the use of condom as prevention to AIDS but to the whole concept of using it. For the Church, it's always the natural way they are depending on. Natural family planning, abstinence, name it. They are relying too much on human nature, or should I say they rely too much on the discipline of Filipino couples. That's tough! They still don't understand that the country's poverty rate and the deterioration of the environment are influenced by overpopulation. It seemed like the Church really doesn't understand the need of the couple in having sex that's why they keep on pushing that it's possible for all to always go for the natural way. Is it because they themselves supposedly don't do it? (Do they?) Someone needs to pour cold water over them.

My stand:
I stand with the use of condom whether it's Valentine's day or not for the reason to avoid unwanted pregnancy. But it doesn't mean I consider it okay to indiscriminately have sex. It still has to be done with your partner, being faithful to only one and also doing it out of love.

To the Church, I don't think using condom means killing life. Condoms are used to hinder, take note, HINDER unwanted pregnancy. Life has not started yet. There's no life to extinguish. There's no life put to an end because nothing has started yet. Especially for poor couples, (who just so happens to be so fertile) it'll help them not produce children more than they can support. That way, less people will suffer because of poverty -- it's more like saving a life in itself. What the Church needs to work hard for is to let couples understand (especially those living in poverty) the consequences of their actions and that it is supposed to be sacred. Good luck with that.

It's not wrong to use condoms but people should still keep in mind that sex is not just a simple pastime, discipline is important -- whether you do it on Valentine's day or not.