Original Research
The relationship between moral intervention strategies and the stigmatisation of people living with HIV – A Christian perspective
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 72, No 3 | a3384 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v72i3.3384
| © 2016 Izak J. van der Walt, Jacobus M. Vorster
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 24 February 2016 | Published: 19 August 2016
Submitted: 24 February 2016 | Published: 19 August 2016
About the author(s)
Izak J. van der Walt, Faculty of Natural Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaJacobus M. Vorster, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Abstract
One of the ways in which sexual transmission of AIDS is addressed is through moral interventions by organisations affiliated with Christian churches. However, this approach has been heavily criticised in recent literature, implying that moral interventions by church-affiliated organisations generally lead to stigmatisation which is one of the major obstacles to their involvement in HIV prevention. This article explores the origin of this accusation and discusses the Christian-ethical aspects related to HIV or AIDS. The conclusion is that the fact that churches take the Word of God and Christian morality as point of departure in HIV or AIDS intervention programmes does not imply that people who transgressed religious moral teachings may be condemned. On the contrary, the church preaches Christian forgiveness, mercy and empathy. Churches and organisations affiliated with churches should therefore be regarded as valuable partners in the fight against AIDS, for while propagating a normative lifestyle, they also preach love, compassion and support for people living with HIV.
Keywords
Moral interventions; HIV/AIDS; faith-based organisations; Christian ethics
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Crossref Citations
1. Spiritual leaders’ experiences of a comprehensive HIV stigma reduction intervention
Germari Kruger, Minrie Greeff, Rantoa Letšosa
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies vol: 74 issue: 4 year: 2018
doi: 10.4102/hts.v74i4.4875