The witness of the church on HIV/AIDS in the Motheo District

[摘要] English: The complex and fatal illness, HIV/AIDS challenges the church and the community. Theillness has a high occurrence in the Motheo District. The worldwide tendency of risinginfections is also present here. In the research, the views of specific persons in thecommunity towards the illness and the conclusions they reached on how to empowerpeople to overcome and prevent the illness, were determined.The views of health workers, pastors, members of churches and traditional healers weredetermined. Suggestions on how people can be involved with the affected persons werealso put forward. It is clear that those people suffering from the illness are not ostracisedbut that there is the desire to help them to live with the illness and to fight against it.Responsible sexual behaviour is strongly emphasized.The monogamous marriage, in which people are faithful toward one another, is the bestguarantee against contracting the illness. Emphasis on Christian marriage is the bestdefence against the pandemic.Lastly, the church and community have a responsibility to become involved in the fightagainst the pandemic. The church cannot avoid her responsibility but must provide helpand advice. The community must help via groups to give help and guidance.

[发布机构] University of the Free State