Angola: How Christianity Has Helped to Resolve the Hiv/aids Epidemic

The rate of prevalence of the deadly AIDS disease in Angola is very high. A Christian approach to the problem is vital if society is going to deal with it effectively.

Religion pertains to “structural representation of personal faith within people”. Religious groups received some lashing because of their long-overdue response in containing AIDS in South Africa particularly Angola.

Christians seem to turn a deaf ear to the Angolans’ struggle against AIDS at first. It is no secret that religious groups seem to view the issue of HIV negatively. There are several factors that brought this dilemma. First, AIDS is a very controversial illness considering, more often than not, it is caused by sexual relations. Religious leaders voiced judgmental comments on AIDS, perhaps as a way of discouraging others from committing the same mistakes. Unfortunately, it also drives the very people it intended to help away.

Church leaders were wary about HIV/AIDS issues for some time. They also preached the biblical teachings that elicited feelings of stigmatization of people living with HIV /AIDS.

Another reason is that the use of condoms is encouraged by anti-AIDS or AIDS/HIV secular prevention movements. Christianity frowns on the idea of using condoms. They do not support the need for condoms since they prefer to promote abstinence and faithfulness rather than prevention through safe sex.

Christianity is also reluctant to tackle issues and formulate policies with regards to current and pressing concerns such as drug use and commercial sex. Both, by the way, have direct influence on AIDS prevention. Christianity is wary of supporting laws or policies that seem to compromise moral values. Consequently, people afflicted with HIV find themselves shun by religious people and society in general.

This scenario may not be true at all times but it took fifteen (15) years for the role of religion to be affirmed in Africa. Christianity took an active role in promoting community based care and prevention and helps in the process of stigma reduction.

Introducing necessary changes in curbing or preventing AIDS spread is not easily attained. For instance, drug use and sex behaviors are long-term processes requiring programs and methods. This is where capacity for personal faith is of most use. Faith-based inspirational allows powerful internal response from the person. This is an aspect that is seldom tapped but holds great promise for AIDS resolution.

Politics, social status, environment, gender and power struggles are all important motivators. Personal faith, however, provides a much greater impact than all the other factors. Fostering family and community spiritual relationships are important in achieving results in the fight against AIDS.