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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | HIV and Aids: mapping theological responses in Africa |
Author: | Frederiks, Martha T. |
Year: | 2008 |
Periodical: | Exchange: Journal of Contemporary Christianities in Context |
Volume: | 37 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 4-22 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Africa |
Subjects: | Christian theology AIDS stereotypes |
External link: | https://doi.org/10.1163/157254308X251313 |
Abstract: | Theologizing in the context of HIV and AIDS is a fairly recent development. The first publications appeared about two decades ago. They focussed on sensitizing people towards HIV and AIDS, on analysing the causes of its rapid spread and on identifying physical, cultural and socioeconomic factors that contributed to the spread of the virus. However, reflections on HIV and AIDS did not become a theological trend until about five years ago. The majority of the publications come from southern and central Africa. Theologically speaking the reflections are still in a preliminary stage. Many publications show that religion has served an ambiguous role in the HIV/AIDS discourses so far: meant to be a source of strength, it has often been used to condemn and stigmatize people. Though official stances have abandoned the idea that HIV/AIDS is a punishment from God, the stigma surrounding the disease persists. Thus, within pastoral care, within liturgy, within Biblical studies and within systematic theology most efforts are geared towards combating the stigma and the affirming the dignity of all people, especially people living with HIV and AIDS. Notes, ref., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract] |