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November 29, 2007
One in Three Are HIV Know-Nothings
Survey: Millions are unaware that HIV/AIDS is a global pandemic.
Tomorrow, Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day, 2007.
Earlier this week, World Vision released a new survey that looks at the public's knowledge and opinion about HIV/AIDS in the G-7 nations -- the US, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan.
World Vision held a press conference at the United Nations on Nov. 29. The organizaiton noted:
More than 25 years after HIV was discovered, one-third of the people in seven wealthy nations admit they know little or nothing about the global HIV and AIDS epidemic, and one-fourth believe the problem is "greatly exaggerated," according to a survey released today by World Vision, the international humanitarian organization.Ironically, 80 percent of the respondents believe their governments should do much more to help children orphaned by AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses around the world, but only 44 percent are willing to pay more in taxes to help fund prevention, treatment, research and care.
"This survey reconfirms what all of us on the front lines of the AIDS battle know - leaders must put a face on the pandemic because, for people to take action, AIDS must affect them in a personal way," says Richard E. Stearns, president of World Vision, U.S. "While some of these survey results present daunting challenges, we can be encouraged with the finding that the more people know about AIDS, the more compassionate they are toward those directly affected by it."
Meanwhile on the West Coast, Saddleback church's Rick Warren and his wife Kay were hosting their Third Annual Global Summit. That ends today followed by the Youth Summit at Saddleback tomorrow (Dec. 1)
In a press statement, Pastor Warren noted:
"People are asking, 'How many people have AIDS?' ? but that is the wrong question; rather, we should be asking, 'Why should anyone have AIDS?'" Dr. Warren said. "You are God's plan to bring relief to this pandemic. There are some things in this world that I don't have hope for, but I believe in the depth of my heart that HIV/AIDS can be stopped, because it will only take one thing ? real leaders," Dr. Warren added.
Together, the Warrens outlined five traits of real leaders that parallel the objectives of the conference, to develop leadership that is aware; accumulates knowledge; are advocates and activists; and are available. Using the model of a three-legged stool, they reiterated that to end AIDS, leadership is needed in all three sectors ? public, profit and parish ? at the international, national, church, city, business and individual levels.
"When it comes to AIDS, it is not enough to just have tender feelings in your heart ? caring for people with HIV isn't enough," Kay Warren added. "We must also be activists, which involves an intentional plan in your heart for good and for change. We have a call from God to raise our voices ? do not wait for perfect conditions."
So here's the big question:
Granted a few prominent evangelicals have stepped up to the activisim plate against HIV. But I cannot cite one example when I've heard of local (non-mega) evangelical church put a Sunday-long emphasis on HIV ministry. Have you? Is HIV outreach a true priority for evangelicals, or what?
Comments
"But I cannot cite one example when I've heard of local (non-mega) evangelical church put a Sunday-long emphasis on HIV ministry. Have you? Is HIV outreach a true priority for evangelicals, or what?"
Well, golly gee, should we do that before, or after Sickle Cell Anemia, High blood pressure, Breat Cancer, etc, etc, etc. What makes this disease so different from others, that you feel we need an entire day set aside? There are other diseases that actually kill more people, particularly here in the U.S. Are you as worked up about Heart Disease? According to the CDC, HIV is not even in the top 15. Worldwide, AIDS is #4, tied with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The people in Africa are dying because they are poor and African, not because AIDS is unavoidable or untreatable.
Posted By: Delwyn X. Campbell | December 3, 2007 12:20 PM
I believe the emphasis on AIDS as opposed to other diseases is due primarily to its connection with sex; something that is sacred for most people.
Sexual license is the last frontier of liberation in the 21st century where people believe it is a right to have sex without always having to think about sickness, disability and death. Maintaining the right to sex is probably the biggest motivator for governments, researchers and the Church to treat AIDS as diffrerent from other deadly diseases.
So there are Cancers, and Sickle Cell Anemia, Diabetes etc. but none of these speak to the issue of faithfulness, honesty and responsibility like AIDS do. Your spouse or other will not have to ask any questions about these, nor will these affect your sex life, necessarily. Sex is too important so AIDS must receive the most attention.
The bad news about cancer and the other deadly diseases is that no one knows as yet how to prevent them. The good news about AIDS is that we all know how to avoid it.
That so many who know how to avoid it still end up being infected tells you how much we value sex. We just cannot do without it. Words like abstinence and fidelity ring hollow in a world where sex is like life itself. We love sex so much we are willing to die for it.
So many are dying, and many more will die.
Posted By: Steve Skeete | December 3, 2007 6:00 PM
I absolutely agree with Steve. I'm tired of hearing about all the pleas to increase funding for AIDS research at the taxpayer’s expense when the disease is completely avoidable. In America, those that are crying the loudest for more support aren’t doing anything to educate people on how to avoid AIDS; instead, they’re hoping for a magic cure so they can continue to live their risky lifestyles.
It’s not that I’m opposed to the funding to find a cure, it’s that I’m opposed to our society asking to solve the AIDS crisis one minute and then glamorizes sex and drug use the next.
When someone suggests the teaching of abstinence in schools, that person or organization is shot-down and criticized as though it is impossible for the human race to abstain from sex. I’m living proof that one can abstain from sex until marriage. I was apparently able to do the impossible and get my brain to override my sexual desires all the way through my teenage years and through most of my 20’s.
Our media and culture is also attempting to (and succeeding at) ‘sexualize’ our children and convince them that it’s “OK” and even “healthy” to have sex. I don’t see anything “OK” or “healthy” about dying a slow, agonizing death from AIDS. If our children are taught anything about sex these days, I would think they should be taught to fear it since having sex is a life-or-death decision these days.
How is having risky, unprotected, promiscuous sex or sharing a drug needle any different than playing Russian roulette? Everyone is fully aware of the consequences of doing any of these things, yet some take the risk and some don’t. Why is it that those of us who don’t take the risk have to carry the burden and often pay-the-price for those that do?
Posted By: Todd Taylor | December 3, 2007 11:07 PM
I absolutely agree that AIDS is completely preventable...in the United States. I live in an East African country where 10% of the population is infected with HIV. However, many, many, many of those infected are innocent children. Many more are faithful wives who have been infected by their unfaithful husbands. To say that the church should have nothing to do with helping those infected it simply unBiblical and uncompassionate. Alcoholics have also made sinful choices--does that mean we ignore them?
Posted By: Amy Medina | December 3, 2007 11:49 PM
could you please send me information on how the christian religion views the HIV/AIDS pandemic and how it deals with it.
Posted By: Phomolo | August 8, 2008 3:55 AM