With each week that goes by, I feel like I am becoming one with the pandemic that they call AIDS even though I myself am not HIV/AIDS positive. With all of the intensive information that we are subjected to each week, AIDS has implanted itself into our lives as well. Even if we didn't have this course, why shouldn't it? AIDS affects everyone: your neighbors, teachers, friends, lovers, children, co workers, peers. It is no longer just about protecting yourself to create one less person in the fight, but also about learning for the sake of progression; for the sake of all of those people. AIDS has existed for over thirty years now without a cure or vaccine. It has existed longer than many other infections that have breezed through. I say "breezed" because these infections often receive the attention and precaution that all contagious/infectious diseases need to squander it. AIDS has yet to receive such diligence. So why shouldn't we be the generation to change things? Even for those us not directly affected by AIDS or not directly participating in the pandemic, knowledge is the fundamental key. Just understanding the virus (like an enemy) leaves it's tactics unsurprising and it's existence vulnerable to defeat. Did You Know...??
We all know stigma, and religious stigma especially takes a toll on the way HIV positive people 
are viewed. Earlier this month, Representatives of 40 different religious and faith groups including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism met in a two day retreat in the Netherlands. There the members signed a "personal commitment to action" which requires them to be clear in their teachings about discriminating against those living with HIV. This is important according to UNAIDS because religious acceptance will empower "solidarity" among the communities that follow them and "ensure people living with HIV are being treated with respect and dignity." However, the draw back is religion is having a hard time incorporating public health issues when discussing morality and spirituality because HIV prevention such as condoms and men to men sex is considered immoral. Reference:
-web: Religious Leaders Vow to Fight HIV/AIDS Stigma, Discrimination. March 25, 2010. MedicalNewsToday.com. Retrieved 3/31/10 from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/183480.php.
I think that these different faiths coming together is great, especially for a cause such as this. For them to try and combat the stigma of HIV speaks highly of each organization involved. I do, however, feel as though if they are going to be advocates, then they need to be advocates of every aspect. Condoms should not be taboo in any HIV discussion no matter the panel,
ReplyDeleteI think it is time for the church to put aside its belief that men who have sex with men is immoral. If God was so put out by this lifestyle, he would see to it that no other human was ever born 'gay,' simply by terminating that pregnancy with a spontaneous abortion. What people fail to realize is that God allows gays to live. He isn't judging, so why should we.
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