Damn, that's sickening. Okay,
Metatron, I stand corrected. The statement by the Synod was really, really stupid. At least there was one Bishop that cared more for his people than for the proscriptions of some reprehensible policy invented by a bunch of caucasians in Italy as a way of increasing their tax revenues.
On the other hand, there is some weak support on a few of the links provided in the article David cited that indicates the Bishops are trying to push abstinence (good luck, wrong culture). Also, that it wasn't missionaries - these are homegrown idiots. That doesn't change the basic point, of course. Worse, in some ways, is the statement by South African President Mbeke that he isn't convinced HIV causes AIDS! Wonder what percentage of his population he'll have to lose before he becomes "convinced"? Shows what ignorance of science'll get you. Theists take note.
[Edited to add: I'd still like to hear what your friends in the ICRC have to say, if possible. Just makes me even more glad I'm not a theist.]
[This message has been edited by Quetzal, 11-29-2002]