World AIDS Day

Last updated on: December 15, 2012 at 7:57 pm by Andrew Marin

World AIDS Day 2012-12-15T19:57:29-06:00 Andrew Marin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

While the global community is undertaking initiatives in the areas of scientific development, healthcare and universal access and community organizing in the name of HIV prevention, we must do our own part to be the change that we wish to see in our own lives and around the world.

“World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988 (via www.worldaidsday.org).”

In your own spheres of influence, don’t shy away from having conversations about HIV, how it is transmitted, and what measures we can take to prevent transmission. Even in the US, stigma and shame still surround HIV, so it is vital that we play our role in continuing to bring the discussion into public spheres while doing what we can to combat the perceptions that feed into the marginalization of individuals with HIV. You can read a few quick facts about HIV here.

The conversations may not always be easy, but we must educate our youth about HIV and its transmission. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS; Only 1 in 3 young people have full knowledge of how HIV is transmitted. Young people between the ages of 15-24 account for 40% of all new infections. And Christians cannot try to convince themselves that this is some type of problem just for ‘those people’ outside their faith when it comes to sex. While I did not see any statistics regarding rates of HIV in relation to religious background, a recent article in Relevant Magazine (issue 53) cited research (from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy) which found that 80% of young, unmarried Christians have had sex. Out of that percentage, 64% of them have had sex in the last year. Even though many of them are having sex, 76% of evangelicals polled in the study believe that sex outside of marriage is morally wrong. While having discussions about abstinence, we cannot fail to acknowledge the reality of the world that our youth are living in and equip them with the knowledge to make smart decisions and to take cautionary measures. I support Christian ideals of chastity, but also believe that we must prepare ourselves and others as the world may not function according to ideals of perfection like we would prefer it to. Staying in touch with, acknowledging and communicating reality in relation to sexual activity and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) does not compromise ideals but rather helps our youth to be aware and function in the world as it actually exists.

And if we engage in sexual relations with another person and do not have absolute certainty about and proof of their status in relation to HIV and other STIs, we must GET TESTED not only for our own health but in the name of prevention of transmitting HIV to another individual. The only shame is in not getting tested and not knowing your status.

If you happen to be in Chicago, the Chicago Department of Public Health offers free, anonymous and confidential HIV testing at the locations listed here. If you are in another city, internet search engines do wonders in locating resources and testing sites. Encourage your friends and family members to get tested and if they are open to it or would like someone to accompany them, go with them.

Much love.

www.themarinfoundation.org

Speaking

HIV/AIDS

Previous Post

November 29, 2011

Life Abundant

Next Post

December 2, 2011 Our Core Identity

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Bridging Opposing Worldviews Culture Don't Drink and Drive Faith Guest Posts I'm Sorry Campaign Interviews Language Laura Statesir LGBT Living in the Tension Living in the Tension Gatherings Love Is an Orientation Love Is an Orientation Blog Love Is an Orientation Book Love Is an Orientation DVD Melinda Guerra Memory My One Sentence Bible Newsletter Our Last Option Parents & Families Politics Quick Quotes Quotes ReEngaging Civility Sexuality Speaking The Marin Foundation Theology Uncategorized Us Versus Us Videos Warren Perry Youth and Campus Ministry

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 December 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz