The AIDS Issue

At the World Bank, an internal study found what South African economist Alan Whiteside ridiculed as a “silver lining” in the plague.
“If the only effect of the AIDS epidemic were to reduce the population growth rate, it would increase the growth rate of per capita income in any plausible economic model,” said the June 1992 report by the bank’s population and human resources department. Exactly that had happened in the 14th century, the report said, with the bubonic plague. The report did not conclude that AIDS would be a benefit to Africa, even in strictly economic terms, but it hardly marked a clarion call to action.

“Only the World Bank would put that on paper,” Whiteside said.

— Barton Gellman, The Belated Global Response to AIDS in Africa, Washington Post, Wednesday, July 5, 2000; Page A01



I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read this. The World Bank talking about how AIDS can be a stimulant to the African economy. Unbelievable.

Aids claims 3.1 million lives a year in sub-Saharan Africa alone, this does not include the entire world. It seems to be the one disease that continues to refuse submission to vaccines. There is still no cure. According to the World Bank, 3.1 million people dying a year is a cheap price to pay if it means making the African economy better.

So, where did this disease come from? It seems to be far beyond human control.
Were there any warnings before this disease came? Well, there are a few. Here they are:

'The Bible' contains a number of writings from different authors over several hundreds of years. The message is clear: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination" [Leviticus 18:22, King James Version, and henceforth. The penalty for such a behavior, which is committed on a regular basis by approximately 10% of the sexually active population is not insignificant: If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them"[Leviticus 20:13].

Considering that HIV/AIDS is mostly a problem in the homosexual community, I'd say the Bible hits it right on. Unfortunately for humanity, this disease has invaded the general public as well, in other words the heterosexual population. I think it's pretty clear why the Bible says dozens of times to avoid sexual immoralty.

I think most of us would agree that we are residing in the end times right now. I also think most of us would agree that Satan still holds dominion over this world, C.S. Lewis even once wrote: "Enemy occupied territory...that is what this world is." This is obvious to the fact that there is still war, diseases, and poverty that plague the world that we live in.
"Revelation 6:7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth."

Kinda weird isn't it? To think that we are living in these verses right now. HIV/AIDS seems to fit into the portion "plague" in these verses. Of course this could also be other diseases: such as flu or mad cow disease. After all, diseases and illnesses are the number one killer of the human population in today's world. Either way, the world takes no notice of biblical prophicies, and we continue on our way.

Well, what are we as Christians called to do about AIDS, and other illnesses for that matter? The Apostle Paul instructs Christians to wage war against the sin in themselves (Romans 6), and to wage war against the evil one (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Unless you are a sadist, you would agree with me that diseases are not good things, they are of an evil nature. If we are to wage war against the evil one, that includes all of his devices in hurting us as well. Many Christians donate monies to charity or to their churches, thinking that donating to the fight against cancer of AIDS is not as useful. Well guess what? It is useful. These diseases are responsible for killing off humanity, and it is our job to fight it.
If you have no idea where you could donate money, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or a check written to the World Health Organization are good places to start. Many of these organizations are not Christian-based, but that doesn't mean that Christ's will can not be achieved through them.

It's time to make a difference.

In Christ,

Hackett