Introduction:
- HIV/AIDS is one of the epidemics which spread in this century, the history of
this disease has different traditions but it still prevails in the society and
affects peoples. People have lot of prejudices about this disease, the affected
persons are stigmatized and discriminated which leads to the spread of this
epidemic. Those who are affected by AIDS is considered as sexually immoral and
excluded from their family, society, community and church. Earlier church has
lot of controversies in accepting those people living with HIV/AIDS and
condemned them as sinners and taught that they were diseased because of the
result of the sin they have committed. But researches and consultations have
proposed that they should be accepted by church, society, family and community
to avoid the spread of this disease. Stigmatization and exclusion is by lack of
awareness about the disease and lack of knowledge about how it spreads.
1) Stigma and
discrimination: - HIV/AIDS is associated with stigma
and discrimination which leads to individual suffering. They constitute a
fundamental obstacle in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and make open discussion
more difficult. Stigmatization often leads to discrimination, where people are
unjustly treated and disadvantaged on the basis of their HIV infection. PLWHA[1]
are often exposed to complex forms of discrimination. Stigmatization and the
taboo[2]
of HIV/AIDS made people repress the subject of HIV and thus avoid dealing with
it[3].
The stigmatization of the world directed towards those with HIV echoes the
transience of fear, and the immanence of physical death[4].
PLHWA are denied to admit infection, or the possibility of infection, not
willing to deal with the threat and to change intimate behavior. Denial
promotes that many people see the diagnosis of HIV as tantamount[5]
to a death sentence, and there is no medicine for it. Denial leads to silence
about HIV, which is also a fundamental obstacle in fighting HIV/AIDS. Denial in
turn promotes stigmatization and discrimination[6].
i) Sources of
stigmatization and discrimination: - According to
Goffman, stigma in context of HIV/AIDS may be interpreted from the point of
observer as follows, “Psychological, interpersonal, sociological, economical
and or political effects on persons who possess the disease[7].
ii)
Manifestation of stigma and discrimination: - HIV/AIDS- is
manifested at different levels- societal, community, individual and in
different contexts. In societal HIV/AIDS is commonly manifested in the form of
laws, policies, and administrative procedures, which include compulsory
screening and testing, compulsory notification and treatment of AIDS cases,
restrictions of the right to anonymity, prohibition of PLWHA from certain
occupations, and medical examination, isolation, restriction in travel. In
education children with HIV/AIDS or associated with HIV through infected family
members have been stigmatized and discriminated. In work place discriminatory
practices are pre-employment screening, denial and termination of employment to
HIV positives, workers refuse to work next to those PLWHA, educational and
pension Schemes are denied to employee with HIV/AIDS. Religiously, leaders and
organizations based on religious doctrines, moral and ethical positions
regarding sexual behavior, sexism and Homophobia had condemned PLWHA as sinners
who deserve punishment. Local cultural beliefs and explanation about disease
and the causes of disease may also contribute to stigma and discrimination. The
family is the main source of care and support for PLWHA but, negative family
responses are common. Infected individuals often experience S&D in the
home, and women are often more likely to be badly treated than men or children.
Individuals are blamed for contracting the infection as the result of personal
irresponsibility, collectively HIV/AIDS may be perceived as bringing shame on
the family and community[8].
2)
Prejudice: - Prejudices against PLWHA normally derive from
already existing fears and prejudices about women, sexuality, poverty and so
on. AIDS is often regarded as an illness which men get from prostitutes or as a
consequence of promiscuity[9].
Among women it is seen to be caused by prostitution, sex out of marriage or
with multiple partners. Sometimes HIV is also seen as a women’s disease, like
other sexually transmitted illness. Women are then accused of transmitting HIV
and being responsible for spreading it. Often HIV positive people experience
rejection and exclusion in families and communities, through refusal of care,
loss of living space, neglect, physical violence and the collapse of
partnerships and marriages because of fear and social prejudices that prevail
in society[10].
3)
Sexuality and taboo: - HIV/AIDS is closely related to sexual
stigma, because it is mainly transmitted by sexual intercourse and thus it
affects persons whose sexual practices are different from norm[11].
Sexuality, death are intimately related to HIV, they fall under a taboo in
almost every society, cannot be discussed publicly, named or addressed easily.
In fighting HIV/AIDS one should not convey negative messages about sexuality.
The churches too must critically analyze their messages about sexuality in many
areas. Sexuality should be presented as a gift from God with which people must
deal responsibly[12].
5)
Homophobia: - From the early days of the epidemic,
HIV/AIDS mostly affected gay men which intensified[13]
and extended[14]
discrimination against gay men. The
negative attitudes toward homosexuality have influenced people’s attitudes and
behavior toward people with HIV in general. People with HIV may be
discriminated against because they are assumed to be homosexual. Homophobic
reactions to HIV issues and to people with HIV would endure even if gay men
stopped getting HIV altogether. This means, that all people with HIV may
encounter homophobic discrimination. Gay and bisexual men experience
discrimination because they are assumed to be HIV-positive or to be the cause
of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. AIDS was called the gay plague, gay cancer, and Gay
Related Immune Deficiency (GRID)[15].
The belief that homosexuals are to blame for the epidemic, and they are at risk
of HIV is still common. Promiscuous sexual behavior by women is also commonly
believed to be responsible for the heterosexual epidemic, regardless of the
epidemiological[16].
6)
Overcoming stigma: - Breaking the cycle of stigma
–rejection-denial is of fundamental importance in the fight against HIV.
“Breaking the silence” has become the central concept in many discussions and
programs. The following interventions must be adopted to be effective in
overcoming stigma[17].
The
inclusion and active participation of people living with HIV/AIDS is absolutely
necessary. Support groups and self help-groups, an informed and balanced diet,
changing habits which have a negative impact and positive attitude decrease
denial and stigma. Providing care for PLWHA contributes to destigmatizing
HIV/AIDS. Through increased access to life prolonging ARV therapy and the hope
brings more people to be open about their HIV/AIDS, will go for testing, and
AIDS will become a “normal” disease. Openly addressing the subject of HIV/AIDS
in all possible places and occasions contributes to remove the taboo. Concepts
such as “AIDS victims” should be avoided, since they contribute to
stigmatization and disempower PLWHA[18].
7)
Acceptance of stigma: - God, in Jesus Christ is particularly
near to the disadvantaged, oppressed and outcasts this includes PLWHA people.
If Christians deny community to these people, not only do they violate human
rights, but they also deny the community and solidarity which God offers to all
human beings. The presence of HIV in our community requires the shift in our
understanding of acceptance. It is not to offer charity to those whose physical
bodies have the virus, but challenges us to embrace the fact, the pain, that
the virus has come into our body. The church is by very nature as the body of
Christ calls its members to become healing community. Despite the extent and
complexity of the problems raised by HIV/AIDS, the churches can make an
effective healing witness towards those affected. The experience of love,
acceptance and support within a community where God’s love is made manifest can
be a powerful healing force. This means that the church should not exclude,
stigmatize and blame persons on the basis of behavior which many local
congregations and churches do[19].
8)
Response of Church
Church
has an important role to play in all of these areas. The Ecumenical
consultation on HIV/AIDS held at Nairobi in November 2001, identified stigma as
the main theme in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The churches were called upon to
fight stigma and discrimination and no longer exclude HIV-positive people, but
rather to accept them. Churches have increasingly addressed stigma as their
contribution in the fight against HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS touches on a number of
important theological issues: the role of disease in God’s creation, the
understanding of suffering and death, the interpretation of sin and
forgiveness, love and acceptance, the concept of sexuality and gender relations[20].
In
regard to Gay men WCC study had look this topic which was a very divisive[21]
topic in many churches. It says about the role played by the gay community in
care and prevention and to emphasize the need for further collaboration and
mutual understanding. It apologizes for the stigma and discrimination of
Homosexual people to which the churches undoubtedly have contributed. The gay
men to be affected by the pandemic[22]
and often play a very significant role in care and prevention have frequently
been condemned and marginalized by the churches. Both parties must enter into a
new relationship to make for more effective prevention and mutual care.
9)
Response to HIV/AIDS related issues
HIV/AIDS
is not the condition itself that thrust most, but the stigma, rejection and
discrimination, misunderstanding and loss of trust that HIV positive people
have to deal with. Stigma is not to be opposed or drive out. The most powerful
contribution churches can make to combating HIV transmission is the eradication
of stigma and discrimination. God cannot be stigmatized; he can mourn and groan
at our alienation and separation from relationship but he cannot mark us as
people cut off and without hope of his love. There is a need for compassion,
dignity and love that is inclusive and not exclusive to those who are affected
and infected with HIV/AIDS. There is a need to address human rights, gender
equality and social justice in addressing stigma and discrimination. God is
present with the vulnerable and stigmatized people. Biblical images of God
grounded in divine love can reduce stigma. Communities of faith are challenged
to deal appropriately and speedily with stigma as they play an important part
in responding to HIV/AIDS.
HIV
spreads with lot of prejudices, uttering the word HIV/AIDS itself gives a shock
and negative connotation to the people. People should have enough awareness
about HIV so that it can be prevented. The patients who are affected with HIV
should be treated as the same with people who are affected with other illness. HIV
is a disease which can be transmitted sexually, through shared use of injection
equipment, through blood transfusions and from mother to child as with several
other diseases. HIV infection is not caused by having multiple sexual partners,
but rather through the transmission of virus from one person to another. It is
the risk of infection that is increased through multiple partners and
unprotected sexual intercourse. There is no ground to ask about guilt or to
condemn certain behavior. The equation of immoral behavior in sexual matters
with HIV infection can lead to the infection and illness being regarded as a
punishment from God for misbehavior. This increases stigmatization, excludes
those affected from the religious community, and can be subjectively bar access
to God’s healing power.
Conclusion
HIV/AIDS
is an epidemic which spreads and exists today; it is an illness caused by virus
and spreads mostly through sexual intercourse from an affected person to other.
Those people affected are stigmatized and discriminated in various forms. The
church excludes them because of the understanding, that they are sinners and
the disease is the result of their sin. But it forgets that they are made in
the image of God and God is on the side of oppressed, diseased, marginalized
and disadvantaged. By excluding them Church is excluding Christ to the diseased.
HIV/AIDS should be considered as an illness like other illnesses to prevent
spreading. The social and sexual taboos, prejudices against HIV/AIDS should be
eradicated through proper awareness programs. In fighting against the spread of
HIV/AIDS, PLWHA should be included into our community.
Bibliography
Byamugisha, Gideon. John Joshva Raja,Ezra Chitando, Is the body of Christ Positive? New Delhi: ISPCK/SOCMS, 2012.
Chako, Laji. Discerning
the signs of times, New Delhi: SCEPTURE, 2013
Jayakumar, Ida.
The role of the church in tackling HIV/AIDS, Chennai: Mission Educational Books, 2006.
Sonja Weinreich and Christopher Benn, AIDS Meeting the challenge Data, Facts, background Geneva: WCC Publications, 2004.
Webliography
http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Homophobia.pdf
[1] People living with HIV/AIDS
[2] A social or religious custom
placing prohibition or restriction on a particular thing or person.
[3] Sonja Weinreich
and Christopher Benn, AIDS Meeting the
challenge Data, Facts, background
(Geneva:
WCC Publications) 46.
[4] Gideon
Byamugisha, John Joshva Raja,Ezra Chitando, Is
the body of Christ Positive? (New Delhi: ISPCK/ SOCMS) 65-67.
[5] Serious to
[6] Sonja Weinreich… 47.
[7] Laji Chako Discerning the signs of times, (New Delhi: SCEPTURE) 117.
[8] Laji Chako Discerning the signs of times…119-122.
[9] Having many sexual relationship
[10] Sonja Weinreich and Christopher
Benn, AIDS Meeting the challenge Data,
Facts, background 46.
[11] Laji Chako, Discerning the signs of times…116.
[12] Sonja Weinreich
and Christopher Benn, AIDS Meeting the
challenge Data, Facts, background 46.
[13] make
[14] Make longer
[16] Laji Chako Discerning the signs of times…117.
[17] Sonja
Weinreich and Christopher Benn, AIDS
Meeting the challenge Data, Facts, background 47.
[18] Sonja Weinreich
and Christopher Benn, AIDS Meeting the
challenge Data, Facts, background 48.
[19] Sonja Weinreich
and Christopher Benn, AIDS Meeting the
challenge Data, Facts, background 49.
[20] Sonja
Weinreich and Christopher Benn, AIDS
Meeting the challenge Data, Facts, background 48.
[21] Disagreement or hostility
[22] An outbreak of disease
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