In the context of this argument abstinence as a large scale strategy of controlling disease. Just as condoms are a different strategy.
As a method of controlling disease abstinence is terrible, as it has a high rate of failure.
As a method controlling disease condoms are an excellent method. The failure rate through manufacturer error/misuse is very, very small.
It if unfortunate that the majority of religious organizations that promote abstinence above all other methods also see fit to decry masturbation and speak out against it as harshly as they do sexual intercourse outside of marriage. Telling people not to masturbate is even less effective than telling them not engage in sex outside marriage - as masturbation does not require collusion.
If the Archbishop stood up and lauded abstinence, with the caveat that everyone could, while awaiting marriage, wank, frug, fingerbang, toss, strum and tickle the little man in the boat; I could almost get behind it (if only to escape the resulting spray); I would not agree with it; but at the very least it is meeting the pressing biological need halfway.
Shayne
As a method of controlling disease abstinence is terrible, as it has a high rate of failure.
As a method controlling disease condoms are an excellent method. The failure rate through manufacturer error/misuse is very, very small.
It if unfortunate that the majority of religious organizations that promote abstinence above all other methods also see fit to decry masturbation and speak out against it as harshly as they do sexual intercourse outside of marriage. Telling people not to masturbate is even less effective than telling them not engage in sex outside marriage - as masturbation does not require collusion.
If the Archbishop stood up and lauded abstinence, with the caveat that everyone could, while awaiting marriage, wank, frug, fingerbang, toss, strum and tickle the little man in the boat; I could almost get behind it (if only to escape the resulting spray); I would not agree with it; but at the very least it is meeting the pressing biological need halfway.
Shayne