Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Stigma, Sermons, and Social Cohesion

The 19th International AIDS Conference took place this past July in Washington DC. During this conference, Sara Gari presented a study on the critical role of social cohesion in HIV testing and treatment; much of this study was based in Zambia.

The study found that people who attend church in Zambia are far more likely to be tested and treated, while those who are isolated from family and community resist addressing HIV/AIDS. In the survey, which was the basis for this presentation, social fear was the number one reason for resisting testing.  64% of those who resisted testing listed "people would gossip about me" as their primary worry. Other social reasons, such as the loss of family, friends, or reputation, were high on the list. 

As I read this study, I am also in the midst of reading the 2011-2013 Strategic Plan for CCAP-Zambia, the organization that I am working with. It is an incredibly impressive document, that calls the denomination to holistic mission work, addressing education, health, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, and agriculture. In each of these categories, there are impressive, specific, measurable goals that will truly impact the quality of life for many people in Zambia.

In the HIV/AIDS department, the goals include developing and conducting workshops on HIV/AIDS at local clinics, developing pamphlets in 7 different languages to educate people about HIV/AIDS, providing equipment for testing and treating, training personnel in counseling skills, and ensuring supplies of anti-retroviral drugs at clinics. CCAP is committed to addressing stigma, as it educates pastors on HIV/AIDS, encourages church leaders to preach 2-3 times a year about HIV, and commits its General Secretary to distribute messages in support of people living with HIV and AIDS. CCAP pastors are asked to learn HIV/AIDS counseling. They also encourage testing for church members and develop nutrition programs for those living with HIV/AIDS. This denomination is actively trying to reduce stigma and discrimination, and to increase testing, treatment, and care.

In light of this study, which indicates that stigma is one of the primary reasons that people resist testing and treatment, I am so excited to work with a denomination that is committed to increasing social healing. The reduction of stigma will save lives, and must accompany the provision of testing and treatment in clinics. This is an important role for the church, and CCAP is taking it on with energy and enthusiasm.

In the second chapter of Mark, when Jesus heals the paralytic man, he offers spiritual healing, as well as physical healing. But the first healing that happens is social.  Jesus addresses the man as “son.” When Jesus calls this suffering, paralyzed man his “son,” he is breaking a significant barrier, addressing a deep and pernicious societal disease. The social barriers that alienate differently abled people were real and overwhelming in Jesus‘ day, just as they are today. Human suffering was attributed to human sin; surely, this man had done something awful in order to deserve the kind of physical pain he endured. But Jesus calls this man “son” and draws him back into the social circle, healing not only the man, but also the community, showing that no one is outside of the love of God. This healing happens before the sins are forgiven, before the legs are restored.


Social healing matters when working on HIV/AIDS. The social stigma for those who are HIV positive is huge; this is still true in the United States and still true in Sub-Saharan Africa. Social healing matters a great deal to those who have been isolated, degraded, and blamed for their own illness. Any program that addresses HIV/AIDS must recognize that social healing is vital. This is especially true for us, as Christians, as we claim to be a part of the body of Christ. We know that the body of Christ is living with AIDS, and so we must reach out again, and again, to participate in social healing, as followers of Jesus. No more stigma, no more alienation, no more blame. The body of Christ needs healing!

As stigma decreases, testing and treatment will increase. But social cohesion will also heal all of us, as we remember again and again that we are all part of one body, united in love and hope.

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