HIV, AIDS and Religious Involvement

HIV, Addiction, and Justice: Toward A Qur'anic Theology of Liberation

by Laura McTighe

Chapter in Islam and AIDS: Between Scorn, Pity, and Justice
Edited by Farid Esack (University of Johannesburg) and Sarah Chiddy
Published by Oneworld, February 2009

Let us embrace: The role and significance of an integrated faith-based initiative for HIV and AIDS

by James R. Cochrane

When the body of Christ has AIDS: A Theological Metaphor for Global Solidarity in light of HIV and AIDS

by Adriaan van Klinken

International Journal of Public Theology 4/4 (2010), 446-465.

This article explores the global implications of the statement from African theologians that the body of Christ has... more This article explores the global implications of the statement from African theologians that the body of Christ has AIDS. It will outline how these theologians employ the metaphor of the body of Christ to challenge the western world to enter into solidarity with Africa struck by HIV and AIDS. From the realization that the HIV epidemic is embedded in globalization processes, and from the understanding of contextual theologies as significant to western theology, it is argued that western theologians have to take seriously the critical African questions. Hence the article investigates what it means for the western world to say that the body of Christ has AIDS, and how this metaphor helps to envision global solidarity in light of the HIV epidemic.

THE MUSLIM MAN AND AIDS: NEGOTIATING SPACES FOR NEW CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF MASCULINITY

by Trad Nogueira-Godsey

‘Sex’, ‘networks’, HIV and religion: Basic concepts concerning the value of sex and its exchange in networks

by Robert Thornton

CONFERENCE PRESENTATION:
Sexuality, AIDS and religion: transnational dynamics in Africa
(Oxford, 28-30 September 2011)
Convenors:  Nadine Beckmann, Catrine Christiansen, Alessandro Gusman, Rijk van Dijk (Fertility and Reproduction Studies Group (FRSG) and the International Network on Religion and AIDS in Africa)

This paper seeks to raise a number of fundamental questions about concepts of sex, networks, sexual networks, and... more This paper seeks to raise a number of fundamental questions about concepts of sex, networks, sexual networks, and institutional responses to these in the kind of moral climate and epidemiological environment that has been created by the presence of HIV, AIDS and associated infections.  I assert, first, that HIV is an infection of a social network, not just of individuals. These networks have specific and determinable structure.  These structures in turn determine the rate of transmission of any virus transmitted through very close social contact that involves exchange of bodily fluids.  Since such social contact also involves exchange of much else, including love, wealth, and valuables (both concrete things and intangible values), the epidemiological issue is deeply embedded in other structures that are fundamental to having any society at all.  Thus, a thorough understanding of HIV should involve a deep understanding—probably amounting to a radical reinterpretation—of basic concepts concerning the nature of society.  Since sexual and religious values and acts are generally taken to be elemental (functional primitives) in the constitution of social life, we need to ask why sex and religion are so closely related to each other.  Why, for instance, should sex appear to be a ‘moral issue’, and why should religion in particular (instead of law, politics, administration, or just ‘custom’) be so concerned with its regulation?  What is the moral role of abstinence (or ‘erotic asceticism’) in religion’s use of sex and sexuality?  Why are sexual networks (the social structure of sexual relation-sets) so often tied to religious institutions, and why are institutional forms of regulation so often impotent in the regulation of sexual action?  Answers to these questions—raised and partially answered here—are likely to contribute considerable power to public health interventions related to sexually transmitted infections generally, in addition to permitting a more nuanced anthropological research practice.

Review of: Yamamori, T., Dageforde, D. and Bruner, T: "The hope factor: Engaging the church in the HIV/AIDS crisis"

by Arnau Van Wyngaard

My Brother is Dying: Santu Mofokeng’s Personal Social Portrait

by Sean O'Toole

A close reading of photographer Santu Mofokeng's photograph of his brother, Ishmael: Eyes Wide Shut (2004). It is my... more A close reading of photographer Santu Mofokeng's photograph of his brother, Ishmael: Eyes Wide Shut (2004). It is my contention that this intimate portrait offers a compelling social portrait of post-apartheid South Africa, partly because it eschews the strained documentary conventions typically used to portray the country’s large HIV positive population.

Why are we losing the battle against AIDS?

by Arnau Van Wyngaard

Published in REC Focus 4:1 (February), 89-97

Towards a Theology of HIV/AIDS

by Arnau Van Wyngaard

Published in "Verbum et Ecclesia 27:1, 265-290"

In a world which is slowly but surely being devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the church needs to get involved in... more In a world which is slowly but surely being devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the church needs to get involved in the fight against this disease. In many places the church has conveniently denied that HIV/AIDS has anything to do with them. In this paper the author argues for the necessity of thinking theologically about the reality of HIV/AIDS, indicating that HIV/AIDS is not merely a matter of “sinners” becoming infected with a virus, but that certain circumstances are conducive towards the spreading of HIV/AIDS which need to be addressed if an impact is to be made on the spreading of the virus. Although many non-religious organisations are fighting this disease, the church is in an ideal situation to assist these bodies as it is already grounded within communities and already have integrity amongst a large part of the population. However, to achieve this goal the churches must be transformed in the face of the HIV/AIDS crisis, in order that they themselves may become a force for transformation – bringing healing, hope, and accompaniment to all infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

De handen en voeten van Christus in Swaziland

by Arnau Van Wyngaard

Published in "Tussen Ruimte 2:4, 4-8"

Zendeling Arnau van Wyngaard realiseerde zich 'dat we de mensen letterlik zouden moeten aanraken als we het probleem... more Zendeling Arnau van Wyngaard realiseerde zich 'dat we de mensen letterlik zouden moeten aanraken als we het probleem van aids In Swaziland wilden aanpakken'. Wat In een Nederlandse bus met een visioen begon, groeide uit tot een leger zorgverleners in Shiselweni.

On becoming the hands and feet of Christ in an AIDS-ridden community in Swaziland – A story of hope

by Arnau Van Wyngaard

Published in "Verbum et Ecclesia 27:3, 1095-1109"

In terms of the social involvement of the Christian church within the community, it would not be an overstatement to... more In terms of the social involvement of the Christian church within the community, it would not be an overstatement to say that never before in history has there been a greater challenge facing the church than the present, finding a way to bring hope to those suffering due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Yet, in spite of the enormity of this pandemic, it is possible to make a huge difference in people’s lives, making use of a few willing people and a fairly conservative budget.
In this article the author attempts to describe the way in which a very small congregation, where the average weekly attendance at church services is seldom more than fifty people and where nearly all members live close to or under the breadline, started making a noticeable difference in their community. Motivated by God’s love for them, they decided to share this love in a practical way with all those in the community suffering due to HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses. This is a story of hope, not only for those who receive help, but even more so, for those who want to give help.

Towards a Theology of Hope in a Time of HIV/AIDS

by Arnau Van Wyngaard

Published in "REC The Netherlands 2005 Acts, 70-82"

The Ongoing Challenge of HIV and AIDS to African Theology

by Adriaan van Klinken

Published in Exchange 40/1 (2011), 89-107

This article offers an extended review of some recent publications in the field of African theology and HIV and AIDS.... more This article offers an extended review of some recent publications in the field of African theology and HIV and AIDS. Hence it critically examines the progress that is made in the engagement with and the reflection on issues related to the HIV epidemic by African theologians. The article notices the emergence of a new strand of Africa theology, a (liberation) theology of HIV and AIDS, which builds on and employs the classic strands of African liberation, inculturation, reconstruction and women’s theology. Moreover, some challenging issues for the further African theological engagement with HIV and AIDS are identified.

AIDS in Saudi Arabia

by Nafi Alonaizi

Medical Stigma, Refugees and HIV Services

by Reham Hussain

work in progress

The Church has AIDS: Towards a positive theology for an HIV+ Church

by Dion Forster

Forthcoming in The Epworth Review - the Journal of Methodist ecclesiology and mission Vol 1, No 2, (May, 2010:6-24)

The Church has AIDS. The question is, how should the Church respond to that reality? The theology written in the early... more The Church has AIDS. The question is, how should the Church respond to that reality? The theology written in the early days, when the world was still discovering the harsh truth of HIV/AIDS, was primarily negative. Most of the theology written about HIV/AIDS has tended to focus on how the virus was transmitted and on the lifestyles of those who contracted it. It has taken a significant amount of time for the Church to realize that the Church can not distance itself from HIV. If Christians really are the Body of Christ, and there are members of this body who are HIV+, then Christ is HIV+.