World AIDS Day, a Day Late

I realize I'm a day late on this, but I haven't forgotten World AIDS Day. I remember when news of Hiv/AIDS first broke. No one knew quite what it was, except it seemed to be linked with homosexual intercourse. Then came word about contaminated needles and tainted blood. All kinds of rumors began to spread about catching it from toilet seats and dinner ware. People were afraid to go to restaraunts or use public toilets. We heard statements from religious fundamentalists that this was God's punishment for homosexuality. It was kind of like, you reap what you sow. But then there was the story of Ryan White, a hemophiliac who contracted AIDS from contaminated blood. Was this God's work also?

AIDS got more attention after news came out that Rock Hudson, a manly star of yesteryear died of AIDS and was in fact gay. But the biggest news of all, and the news that got people thinking, was the revelation that Magic Johnson, star of the Los Angeles Lakers, was HIV positive. Then people began to pay attention and efforts at prevention and cure were undertaken. In our country it seems as if this plague is under control, but in places like Africa, it's decimating the population. And so, a day late, I stop to recognize the need to pay attention to this disease that has taken the lives of so many.

It is sad that an opportunity to deal positively with this disease was marred by those who seem more concerned about banning abortion than saving lives. As you likely have read, Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Community Church in Orange County, CA, was called out for inviting Democratic Senator Barak Obama to speak, along with Sen. Sam Brownback, at a conference for pastors focused on dealing with AIDS. A small group of reactionary Religious Righters called on Warren to disinvite Obama, because Obama is pro-choice. That Warren didn't give in is a sign that Warren gets it. There is more to saving lives than banning abortion.

I know there are a number of articles being published today on this subject, but the one in the LA Times is intriguing. It's entitled: "AIDS fight needs churches, Obama says." It's no surprise that with all the controversy, Obama is the focus of the article. But in doing so, we're reminded that issues like AIDs require a bi-partisan response. Obama also shows he gets it -- solving big problems will often involve the religious community. Obama insists rightly that calls for abstinence and fidelity aren't enough, and therefore condoms and medications can save lives. But churches can still play a role by providing a moral framework for making good choices and by holding up the sacredness of our sexual relationships.

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