It is a trap, opening only to darkness, disillusionment and loss of identity. If you really care about yourself, you will not want to expose yourself to risks that put your physical and mental life in danger, and threaten to destroy the very happiness you seek. We commend this work, as we do everyone helping to develop positive attitudes to sexuality that lead young people to a healthy respect for themselves and their relationships. In fighting AIDS the only true effective measure is prevention. This means abstaining from sexual activity outside marriage and from the misuse of drugs.
Health authorities agree that abstinence is the only absolute precaution against the disease.
Mistakenly permissive attitudes to disordered sexuality prevail in New Zealand today. The outcome is an almost unstoppable growth in sexually transmitted diseases, of which AIDS is one. Our genuine concern for human well-being combines with Christian moral teaching to put a radical challenge to the permissive society. Attitudes and practices in regard to sexual behaviour and the use of drugs need to be revised. This might be difficult, but it is not impossible.