Despite new signs that HIV infection rates may be rising in the U.S. and continue to rise worldwide, religious leaders are denouncing efforts to stop the spread of the disease through condom education and distribution. The Catholic Church has condemned the use of condoms because, according to the Vatican, prophylactics act as contraceptives and promote promiscuity. Religious leaders in Zambia voiced similar complaints earlier this year, forcing public health officials to pull TV spots that promoted the use of condoms. Other religious leaders are also discouraging efforts to promote condom use. In Kenya, Sheik Mohamed Dor of the Council of Imams and Preachers said the country’s efforts to import 300 million condoms would encourage sexual experimentation among young people. Currently, more than 25 million people living in Africa are HIV/AIDS positive.
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