Suffering from a disease is taxing by itself. And it is even more so when supplemented by excess emotional baggage like social stigmatization and discrimination. Feeling extra terrible at an already terrible time is something you wouldnt wish even on your greatest enemy. Anyhow, this is an experience common to HIV Jewish community NYC.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is the viral strain that leads to AIDS in its final stages. This can be transmitted through contact with the body fluids of an infected person. There is also a perinatal or congenital transmission passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.
The stigma surrounding the disease is a staple knowledge to most. Even a reputable newspaper media outlet referred to it as a new kind of cancer in 1981. Consequently, AIDS has been much bandied about as something called gay cancer. If thats overwhelming enough to take into account, all the more so when you take the conversation into another nifty channel thats called religion.
A common oversimplification of a disease of this magnitude is that it is something that homosexuals primarily incur. Its a topic for another day, but the LGBTQ minority is one that is universally not accepted in most major religions. Of course, there are sympathetic subsets in every group, but there is no single denomination where conservatives and all out hate groups dont exist. Therefore, AIDS is something thats perceived in most religions as rightful punishment for sinful conduct.
Which is something thats just plain incorrect, however you may look at it, even in the so called rightful punishment lens. After all, AIDS is transmitted in various other ways besides multiple sexual partners and intravenous drugs. Even if you virulently insist these are sinful actions, theres a considerable difference between consequence and punishment, and those with the virus dont need their suffering augmented by aspersions on their character.
The Torah, Judaisms holy book, teaches that the person is created in the image of their God and is inherently worth of dignity just by that criterion. Conversely, however, people who are living with this disease experience a loss of self worth and esteem because of this tenet. There is no central authority on HIV groups or awareness in Jewish communities that is accepted the majority of Jews. Consequently, discrimination abounds.
Certain individuals took up the mantle by themselves and formed the first gay synagogues where they are free to address the issues that are unique to their group. Now, there is a New York City based group that holds leadership training and seminars on HIV awareness. The program discusses the risks and prevention of AIDS, and the stigma undergone by its sufferers.
A certain creed in Judaism winds on about the virtue of protecting the vulnerable and defenseless in society. Groups that answer this calling spreads consciousness on the true facts about HIV. There are even religious groups that went out on a limb and integrated into their prayer books themes related to AIDS, imploring healing and faith for its sufferers and love and strength to those who care for them.
There is a certain synagogue that made a relevant rallying cry, stating that Silence is equal to death, and Action equates to life. No better catchphrase is needed in order to destroy the taboo that surrounds HIV infection. Ignorance is the greatest stumbling block towards this goal, so it pays to be educated and aware.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is the viral strain that leads to AIDS in its final stages. This can be transmitted through contact with the body fluids of an infected person. There is also a perinatal or congenital transmission passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.
The stigma surrounding the disease is a staple knowledge to most. Even a reputable newspaper media outlet referred to it as a new kind of cancer in 1981. Consequently, AIDS has been much bandied about as something called gay cancer. If thats overwhelming enough to take into account, all the more so when you take the conversation into another nifty channel thats called religion.
A common oversimplification of a disease of this magnitude is that it is something that homosexuals primarily incur. Its a topic for another day, but the LGBTQ minority is one that is universally not accepted in most major religions. Of course, there are sympathetic subsets in every group, but there is no single denomination where conservatives and all out hate groups dont exist. Therefore, AIDS is something thats perceived in most religions as rightful punishment for sinful conduct.
Which is something thats just plain incorrect, however you may look at it, even in the so called rightful punishment lens. After all, AIDS is transmitted in various other ways besides multiple sexual partners and intravenous drugs. Even if you virulently insist these are sinful actions, theres a considerable difference between consequence and punishment, and those with the virus dont need their suffering augmented by aspersions on their character.
The Torah, Judaisms holy book, teaches that the person is created in the image of their God and is inherently worth of dignity just by that criterion. Conversely, however, people who are living with this disease experience a loss of self worth and esteem because of this tenet. There is no central authority on HIV groups or awareness in Jewish communities that is accepted the majority of Jews. Consequently, discrimination abounds.
Certain individuals took up the mantle by themselves and formed the first gay synagogues where they are free to address the issues that are unique to their group. Now, there is a New York City based group that holds leadership training and seminars on HIV awareness. The program discusses the risks and prevention of AIDS, and the stigma undergone by its sufferers.
A certain creed in Judaism winds on about the virtue of protecting the vulnerable and defenseless in society. Groups that answer this calling spreads consciousness on the true facts about HIV. There are even religious groups that went out on a limb and integrated into their prayer books themes related to AIDS, imploring healing and faith for its sufferers and love and strength to those who care for them.
There is a certain synagogue that made a relevant rallying cry, stating that Silence is equal to death, and Action equates to life. No better catchphrase is needed in order to destroy the taboo that surrounds HIV infection. Ignorance is the greatest stumbling block towards this goal, so it pays to be educated and aware.
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When you are looking for information about the HIV Jewish community NYC residents can come to our web pages today. More details about us are available at http://www.talktomeabouthiv.org now.
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