None of us choose to become infected with HIV. Many different people may be living with HIV. These include women or men infected by their partners, babies born with the virus, sick people who have received infected blood while in hospital, and girls who have been raped.
Some people think that HIV and AIDS only affect people who have done something wrong. This is not true. We have no right to criticise others. HIV can affect any of us. Jesus teaches us that our attitude towards everyone should be one of compassion and love.
We all need to show love and care – and fight against negative attitudes, blame and misunderstanding in our community and in our ourselves. We need to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Those of us living with HIV and AIDS are valued and important members of the community with much to contribute.
Discussion
- What happens when people feel they have the right to criticise others? Does anyone have the right to do this?
- Christians may show great care in looking after people living with AIDS while at the same time thinking that their lives must have been bad. How can we change our own hearts and really ‘love all our neighbours’ as we ‘love ourselves’?
- How can we help each other to change our attitudes and way of thinking about those of us whose lives are affected by HIV and AIDS?
- Do we know someone who has HIV or AIDS? Spend some time with them. Shake their hands, hug them, drink some tea with them or play with their children. How difficult is it to overcome any negative attitudes we may have?
- How can wives and husbands forgive their partners for infecting them with HIV? How can they continue to live together in the best way possible?
- How can we support girls who have been raped and find themselves infected with HIV and pregnant?
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