Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Religion and HIV/AIDS
Religion and HIV/AIDS
PERSPECTIVE
By The Revd Dr I. U. Ibeme MB. BS, Dip. Theol.
e-mail: ifeogo@yahoo.com;
Websites: http://www.scribd.com/ifeogo ;
http://priscaquila.6te.net/ ;
http://priscaquila.blogspot.com/.
Click Here For
PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre
CONTENTS
Introduction
What is Religion (Reverence)?
What is Science (Knowledge)?
Science and Religion compared
The Science of HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS and The Christian Faith
Christ and the Caring and Healing Ministries
Sexuality
Science-based ideas on Sexuality
Christian Response to Modern Attitudes towards Sexuality
Christian Response to Other Issues Related to HIV/AIDS
Bibliography
the tenets that are handed down. Religion is both objective and subjective. Pure
Science is only objective and stops at seeking the knowable and measurable HOWs
of things (i.e. METHODS & MECHANISMS). Religion goes further than Science to
seek the unknowable and immeasurable HOWs (i.e. MIRACULOUS &
MARVELLOUS) as well as the knowable and unknowable WHYs of things (i.e.
MEANING & MESSAGE). Science is therefore a subset not an antagonist of
Religion as many have tried to portray in recent times.
As a Physician and Theologian, I have found scientific knowledge (within its limited
dimensions of knowable and measurable HOWs) useful for appreciating the wonders
of Creation and wisdom of Theology. Even Theology employs the scientific method
in systematising its dogmatics. Religion should give meaning to Science, and Science
should enhance religious awe. I have found Science and Religion interplay to be
Symbiotic. There are other models of this interplay: Independence, Conflict, and
Complementarity. From my experience, Science serves as a tool to help Humanity
fulfil the religious stewardship of exercising dominion on earth.
How do all these come to play in our discussion on Religion and HIV/AIDS?
Back to Contents
into anothers bloodstream or raw tissue surface. This usually occurs during sexual
contact, or exchange of non-sterilised injection needles as among drug addicts; the
same also applies to tattooing implements. Sexual contact remains the single most
important means of spread for HIV/AIDS. Homosexual, prostitutes, and promiscuous
persons are usually mostly affected. On the other hand, abstainers and faithfully
married couples are usually least affected.
Back to Contents
Through Faith-based groups, the Christian Church has been involved in a barrage of
approach to combating the HIV/AIDS plague, which include:
1. Prevention: e.g. Health Education and Sexual reorientation campaign.
2. Primary Care: e.g. Hospices and Clinics.
3. Support Services: e.g. - Provision of food and shelter for the infected or
affected;
- Advocacy against stigmatisation and for concerted
effort against AIDS;
- Training of Care Providers;
- Counselling for those affected or infected.
4. Cooperation: e.g. Networking with groups within the Christian Faith and
across with groups from other Faiths.
The aim in all these is to do good and show compassion in order to bring healing and
hope to those infected and those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Back to Contents
stands between humanity and her destiny especially as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned.
Back to Contents
Sexuality
Sexuality concerns male-female psychophysical relations and expressions as well as
physiological constitution. Sexual preference and desire as well as sexual identity and
capacity belong to human sexuality. This needs to be distinguished from Gender
relations, which concerns male-female social roles and cultural expectations.
For the Christian Religion, sexuality issues border on morality and immorality of
relations while Gender issues border on equality and inequality of the sexes.
What could the Christian Faith contribute in dealing with the sexuality issue that
contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS? These are usually non-marital sexual
orientations and involvements such as homosexual relations, premarital and
extramarital sex, multiple and indiscriminate sex, bestiality, paedophilia and the like.
This must be examined in the context of prevalence of science-based post-modern
ideas of sexual freedom.
Back to Contents
Science-based ideas on Sexuality
Scientific ideas, unable to venture into morality matters for which there are no
empirical formulae yet, prefer to insist that there is no immorality, though they would
accept that there is insecurity. Is this not valuephobia? The argument is that one
mans morality may be another mans immorality. Yet, the same applies to security,
for one mans security may be another mans insecurity. So Science-based ideas insist
that no one should be intimidated with any moral judgement for doing what one feels
happy doing with oneself. However, due to the fact of the danger of contracting
HIV, Scientific ideologists feel that the option of using condom as a partial protection
(called Safe Sex or Safer Sex) should be offered, if one cared about the risk.
Strangely, such precautionary advice against dangers and risks is not seen as
intimidating, i.e. scientifically speaking!
So far, scientific studies have shown that where religious values of abstinence and
heterosexual intra-marital sex are propagated and accepted, sexual behaviour is
modified and the spread of HIV/AIDS is reduced. Religion has power to modify
sexual behaviour where Science is hesitant. Christian Religion, which has the safest
sexual moral standardrds of allowing sex only within a monogamous life-long
marriage, serves the best purpose in protection against and prevention of spread of
HIV/AIDS, for everyone who believes the Gospel.
Science is about what works and how things work, but religion is about what is right
or wrong and what is good or bad. The mistake of using Science in place of Religion
has led to the laiser-faire ideas about sexuality. However, Science is for information
on matter not for instruction on character. Science is for know-how not for ethics.
Science is for the intellect not for the conscience. Religious claims provoke scientific
enquiry, while scientific research confirms religious convictions. Religion and
Science then, are complimentary and more so symbiotic. Science should be the
handmaid of Religion.
Those who make Science a religion end up becoming unscientific. For instance, those
who turn the hypothetical assumption called the theory of evolution into a dogma
of origins antithetical to the religious doctrine of creation are really misusing Science.
That complex forms evolved out of simpler forms is an assumption contrary to the
scientifically established thermodynamic Law of Entropy; and in Science, laws
overrides theoretical assumptions. In fact, recent developments have shown that the
Intelligent Design Theory (IDT) of evolution accords more with natural scientific
laws, logic and mathematics than the Darwinian Random Selection theory of
evolution. However, because Science has not been able to quantify intelligence in
absolute terms nor does Science wish to be tele-guided by a superior Intelligence, it is
in a fix as to which way to go. Is this Theophobia in todays parlance? This is
actually Theostugeia in proper language.
Back to Contents
revelation from God in the Biblical Scriptures and the salvation accomplished in
Christ. This has been found to work through the ages for those who believe.
Christianitys basic call is to metanoia i.e. repentance or change of mind.
Christian Religion can offer this message not only to those with unhealthy sexual
behaviour but also to those with uncaring attitudes towards people living with
HIV/AIDS.
Science has not shown any empirical proof for any claims to genetic or other
irreversible constitutional basis for homosexual or promiscuous inclination.
According to the Christian Religion, homosexuality and other promiscuous sexual
behaviour, just like all unhelpful behaviours, are reversible through metanoia by the
power of the Word and the Spirit of God for anyone who believes. Therefore,
unnatural and unhealthy sexual involvements should not be condoned but
condemned. Nevertheless, those involved should not themselves be condemned,
rather they should be corrected and encouraged to abandon or overcome their
unfruitful and unprofitable behaviour through metanoia or Repentance, for their own
good.
Because they do this, God has given them over to shameful passions. Even
the women pervert the natural use of their sex by unnatural acts. In the same
way the men give up natural sexual relations with women and burn with
passion for each other. Men do shameful things with each other, and as a result
they bring upon themselves the punishment they deserve for their wrongdoing.
Because those people refuse to keep in mind the true knowledge about God, he
has given them over to corrupted minds, so that they do the things that they
should not do. They are filled with all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and
vice; they are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, deceit, and malice. They gossip
and speak evil of one another; they are hateful to God, insolent, proud, and
boastful; they think of more ways to do evil; they disobey their parents; they
have no conscience; they do not keep their promises, and they show no
kindness or pity for others. They know that God's law says that people who live
in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very
things, but they even approve of others who do them.
(Rom 1:26-32)
The Christian Religion categorises homosexuality and other no-marital sex as the
decadent sin of sexual immorality, dangerous for humanity and unacceptable before
God. Personal freedom starts where the good of others stops. Personal freedom ends
where the interest of humanity is at stake. Gods choice is the best freedom.
Back to Contents
Hash experiences of life such as deprivation, disease, death, disaster and despair may
push one to what I call Theostugeia (hating the idea of Ultimate Divinity God) or
Valuephobia (hating the idea of moral values), as well as get involved with unhelpful
behaviour. Yet the Christian must reach out with love as the agent of reconciliation in
the face contentious issues; identifying with the suffering and helping to find a way
out and bringing hope by the example and the power of Christ.
For those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS with all the attendant perplexities we
must share our eschatological concept of human history with an optimistic end for
humanity through the grace of redemption in Christ. Anyone who has the knowledge
of salvation in Christ knows that he or she is equipped and called to bring comfort
and care for the bereaved and abandoned; show faith in God and moral uprightness
for others to see and copy; and ensure social justice in place of inequity and
prejudice.
I agree with Professor Anne Bayley of Lusaka University Teaching Hospital that the
Christian religion has a lot to offer, one of which is this:
A faith that God exists and is personal, not impersonal; hospitable not
hostile, and involved-with not indifferent to humankind a faith which is supported
by historical and contemporary evidence, although not provable or disprovable in
scientific terms
(One New Humanity, p.126)
Back to Contents
Bibliography
HEFLEY, James C, Life In The Balance, Victor Books, Wheaton, 1980.
STOTT, John, Issues Facing Christians Today. Marshall Pickering, London, 1994.
BAYLEY, Anne, 0ne New Humanity: The Challenge of AIDS, SPCK, London, 1996.
DAVIS, John Jefferson, Evangelical Ethics: Issues Facing the Church Today, P&R
Publishing, New Jersey, 1993.
AIDS ACTION COUNCIL, Policy Facts: Faith-Based and Community Response to
HIV/AIDS, The Body, 2003
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR WORLD HEALTH , Fact Sheets: The Faith
Community & HIV/AIDS and An Interfaith Declaration, The Body, 1999
New Dictionary of Theology, IVP, Leicester, 1988.
Encyclopaedias Britannica 2001, Software.
Microsoft Encarta 2005, Software.
The Holy Bible.
Back to Contents