|
Write to: The Editor, Arusha Times, P.O. Box 212, Arusha.
E-mail:
arushatimes@habari.co.tz
Ignorant bishops, not Makundi, should ask for forgiveness
Dear Editor,
It is with great trepidation that I read the article
"Bishop Makundi drops 'condom crusade'"
(Arusha Times
February 21-27). To contemplate a gathering of so many eminent
clerics of the Anglican Church in Tanzania coercing the enlightened Bishop
Makundi to drop his condom advocacy in the fight against AIDS simply boggles the
mind! While the rest of the world is engaged -at considerable cost - in the
battle against this horrific scourge, which includes the advocacy of the use of
condoms as ONE important weapon, we have this shameful display of truly
irresponsible views. Welcome to the Middle Ages! Not the maligned Bishop Makundi
but rather his fellow ignorant Bishops should be asking for forgiveness! Bishop
Chiwanga even brazenly cites the authority of our Holy Bible to support the
condemnation of the use of condoms. Please tell us, Bishop, where the Bible
makes reference to condoms!
To say advocating the use of condoms is tantamount to
encouraging promiscuous sex is a classic case of putting the cart before the
horse . It is not the use of condoms that encourages promiscuous sex, but rather
promiscuous sex (which has existed since time immemorial) that demands the use
of condoms!
When there is a threat of malaria, the use of mosquito nets
is a recommended effective weapon against this threat; similarly, it has long
been accepted in enlightened quarters that when there is a threat of AIDS, the
use of condoms is ONE recommended effective weapon against this threat. Perhaps
the Bishops will take time to ponder this simple analogy!
We who love Tanzania and its valuable people remain
encouraged in the knowledge that there are many people in Tanzania - just as
eminent as the Bishops - whose progressive views represent an important
counterweight to those held by the representatives of the Anglican Church in
Tanzania!
- H. J. Schueler, Professor, Toronto, Canada
- twiga93@hotmail.com
|
