AIDS at 25

To use my earlier post on stigma as a jumping-off point, there was a session today titled Religion and New Leadership: the Challenge to Deliver (video available at the link). Speakers included religious leaders from a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds, discussing the role they play in working to control the AIDS epidemic. It was noted that churches haven't completely come to the reality that people living with HIV/aids aren't just a "they;" but that they're also members of their churches, mosques, synagogues, etc. It was emphasized that this sense of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as an "outsider" or "other" is one of the obstacles that must be overcome in order to fully integrate these individuals into the religious organization.

It was also noted that churches and other religious organizations had to look at their own actions that caused--and still cause--stigma, rather than fostered inclusion. Of course, early in the epidemic--and still to some extent today, especially in some areas--the AIDS pandemic was viewed as "God's wrath" on those who engaged in "deviant" behavior, including homosexuality and illicit drug use. Yet it was noted by participants that sacred texts emphasize mercy rather than marginalization, and empowerment rather than stigmatization. However, they note that such texts have become secondary in shaping life with those who are living with HIV/AIDS. It was concluded that church leaders--and ordinary believers--need to carry out some soul-searching in their own community, and to reframe their response to the epidemic in a manner that is fully inclusinve of PLWHA.

However, how they could get to that point was a matter of disagreement, with some expressing doubt that it was even an acheivable goal, even though parishoners have already had a quarter-century to become educated, and to learn to deal with their stereotypes of PLWHA. With so much confidence and optimism over the direction of the science of HIV, the pessimism of religious leaders on the topic of AIDS serves as a stark contrast.

Image from http://www.canisius.de/unterricht/fachbereiche/weitere/religion/religion.jpg