I got to listen to some of the special coverage on Out Q 109 (on Sirrius Radio) today and was touched in hearing the stories of both those who have survived AIDS and those who did not. Several of the guests on the show said that this is a day to mourn but also a day to celebrate survival.
One of things that hit me hard in listening to the programming was thinking of the way that the faith community in large part failed so badly in showing love to those affected by the AIDS epidemic, particularly in the 80’s. It seems so ironic that the folks who should have been loving victims of AIDS (remember Jesus hung out with people who had leprosy, which was the dreaded disease of his day) were instead all too often were the ones heaping shame and hatred on those who were hurting. (or worse dared to say that the disease was a punishment from God — I don’t believe in hell myself, but if I did I’m pretty sure God would save a special spot in the flames for those who said things like this).
Things are somewhat better today, but not that much better. Churches and social institutions are better educated and much of the hatred is gone (see this post from Dec. 2005 about the growing awareness of AIDS among Evangelicals in America), but the problem now is apathy. And more significantly, the disease has become much more widespread in the third world, and unfortunately the rich nations of the world are not doing enough with their resources to do something about it. (see this post about the 2007 state of union address)
Anyway in honor of the survivors and in memory of those who have left us, I’m posting this video from the AIDS charity Avert…
Also here’s a couple more links about World AIDS Day…
WorldAIDSDay.org (a UK based site)
I was in the middle of the AIDS crisis almost from the beginning, and helped organize the first AIDS vigil in the Tampa Bay area in 1986. I saw a lot of people suffer a lot more than they needed to, being shunned by their families, fired from their jobs, and treated worse than animals by their neighbors — and government. And of course, far too many died, including two of my closest friends.
And then there was the reaction of the so-called religious community. What James said is pretty much true — this is a huge ugly stain that almost overtakes a lot of other pretty nasty stains on the reputations of religious institutions and “leaders.”
One of the few who did not follow that path was Tammy Faye Bakker. Whatever other flaws she had, she never condemned those with AIDS, and in fact reached out to them with love (though she never stopped thinking that homosexuality was a fundamental sin).
In 2002 (iirc), I had the privilege of attending an event sponsored by a GLBT group where Tammy Faye was the featured speaker (it was at the time when the documentary film about her was released). She was warm, funny, and humble. The gays, knowing well her history, showered her with gratitude and adoration. It was a very moving scene, let me tell you.
If more self-described “Christians” had hearts like Tammy Faye, this world would be a much happier place for all.