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 Rick Warren in Rwanda in 2008. My Take: Church is world’s most powerful weapon against AIDS
By Rick Warren, Special to CNN On June 5, 1981, my wife Kay was late into her second pregnancy, just weeks away from giving birth. Absorbed in caring for our 2-year-old and preparing for a newborn, the farthest thing on our minds was news that day of a cluster of men in Los Angeles with a mysterious, devastating disease. But what began in Africa and was first observed in this small California group became an epidemic, then swelled to a pandemic - touching lives in every country on every continent Though late to the fight, in 2003 Kay and I heard God calling us to care for those infected and affected, to raise our voices on their behalf, and to figure out practical ways for local churches to serve them. Timeline: 30 years of AIDS moments We traveled to Africa, ground zero for this pandemic, and were brokenhearted by the pain and thrilled by the compassion we observed. Out of the bubble that is American life, we sat with dying men and women, held newly orphaned babies in our arms, and cried with shattered family members. In America, we’d heard public leaders, including pastors, make pronouncements about AIDS that implied that those infected were enemies, or at least deserved their illness. But at the grassroots level we witnessed Christ-followers by the thousands opening their hearts, their homes, their wallets and their churches to fellow human beings in their suffering. Clearly, local churches were at the forefront of this battle in Africa.  Kay Warren folding bandages in Rwanda in 2007. We returned home determined to model our church’s response to HIV and AIDS after the African church’s response. We began by inviting a member of our church – Saddleback, in Southern California - who was HIV positive to tell his story publicly for the first time. Our members responded with overwhelming love. And once people realized our church was a safe place, other HIV positive people began attending and opening up about their status. To help remove the stigma, I was publicly tested for HIV with network TV cameras rolling. We began support groups for anyone infected or affected; trained church members to be part of personalized teams for an infected individual; brought in experts in the field to educate our congregation; and hosted three “Global Summits on AIDS and the Church” to showcase the latest scientific, behavioral and psycho-social aspects of the disease. We reached out to local, regional, national and international organizations, offering our manpower and networks in the fight against AIDS. One of the great lessons of this fight is that the single fastest way to mobilize at the grassroots level around the world is through local congregations. Nothing comes close to the size and scope of this pool of compassionate volunteers. The church has the largest distribution network on the planet. There are more churches in the world than all the Wal-Marts, McDonald’s and Starbucks combined. The church was global 200 years before anyone else thought of globalization. We could take you to thousands of villages around the world where the only institution to speak of is a church. Plus, the Christian church is the only organization growing faster than the new infection rate: while 7,000 people are newly infected globally every day, and church growth experts estimate that the church is adding 35,000 converts daily in China alone. These church members have a non-profit motivation to serve. We are commanded by Jesus Christ to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Our church sent 14,869 of our members to all 195 nations in the world to beta-test a local church humanitarian program based on the model of Jesus. Called the P.E.A.C.E. Plan, volunteers Plant churches that promote reconciliation, Equip servant leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick and Educate the next generation. We’ve learned that any church can provide six essential services in the fight against HIV/AIDS, easily remembered by the acronym CHURCH: –Care for and support the sick. Caring requires no money, just a willingness to offer compassion and kindness. –Handle HIV testing. At the least, churches can encourage members to get tested, with the pastor leading the way. Everyone should know their HIV status. –Unleash volunteers. There will never be enough professionals to fix all that is wrong in our world. The Christian church claims 2.3 billion followers worldwide. If only half could be mobilized to care for those with HIV and AIDS, the fight would look very different –Remove the stigma. It is not a sin to be sick. Jesus never asked a sick person, “How did you get sick?” He asked, “How can I help you?” –Champion healthy behavior. HIV is almost completely preventable. While new reports suggest that accessing HIV treatment at an earlier stage of the illness is a vital way to prevent transmission, the cost may be an impediment. Behavior change will continue to be the most effective way to cut down on new infections. –Help with antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients. The simplest way to cut down on new infections, to help infected individuals live longer, and to prevent children from becoming orphans, is to create accountability with medication compliance. Church volunteers can make daily visits or phone calls, reminding individuals to take their medication. This strategy has been enormously successful in the Karongi District of the Western Province of Rwanda, where Saddleback Church, the government of Rwanda and local churches established a pilot program to train community health workers. Started in 2008, more than 2,800 community volunteers have been trained through the churches to take on a caseload of 26,000 homes in the rural district where there is one hospital for 300,000 residents. These volunteers provide access to basic healthcare information and are addressing preventable and opportunistic diseases – the big killers of those living with the virus. The lives of 120,000 children and 50,000 adults are being positively impacted. Thirty years have passed since HIV was first recognized. In that time, millions have lost their lives and millions of children have been orphaned. Millions more are living with the virus today. But if the church and other faith communities will step up to the table, and as governments and other health organizations welcome their assistance, the future can be brighter. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Rick Warren. soundoff (1,335 Responses)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next »Post a comment
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Editor's Note: Rick Warren is the founder and pastor at 
How many AIDs victims live with him and his wife in their mansion?
Good pint, I doubt there are many.
the whole idea is moronic. but thats how this works. religion is for the lost.
Atheists always slander the good Christian people who spend up themselves with charity works, while they do nothing to help others.
it is not slander to call a fraudster a fraudster. religion is fraud that can be proved guilty in a court of law based on evidence and testimony of honest ppl.
He does not live in a mansion, he lives a couple of blocks away from me in a 3 bedroom two bath house, just like he has for the last 12 years.
It's Rick Warren or has he is known in the religion huckster circles – Billy Graham- lite. The objective is still the same. They will do anything and everything they can to separate the flock from their cash. If they'e got to use a disease or starving children...so be it. Meanwhile they work it so that only a tiny percentage of YOUR money ever really reaches your intended recipient.
Tom, Rick Warren refuses to make public his net worth. If he did, his cash hoard would knock your socks off.
I refuse to believe any body that claims to be a Christian and allows Muslims to mix their religon with ours. Muslims want to dis credit the Lord Jesus Christ. I will never believe that Rick Warren us up to any good.
The bible has the answers to fix the problem for aids. As for you athiest, the only reason you deny there is a God is because you don't want to be held accountable for your sins. You can run and you can deny that you know the truth but that doesn't mean that the truth isn't there. If you ask me to prove that Jesus is real and is the Lord. He was risen from the dead, his tomb is empty. If he wasn't real why, just why would people in his time prefer to die than to deny him!!!!
I don't know? Because they were delusional? Because the same reason why suicide bombers think they are going to have 72 virgins?
Asking why people believe things 2000 years ago is a terrible line of reasoning. Your only argument that you have offered is "I believe it therefore it must be true". Because what it comes down to is that you want people to believe YOU without any evidence. That is pure arrogance as far as I'm concerned.
@josh
W T F ?
Peace...
The bible is almost as full of crap as you are, mr. Sheep.
@Josh – the early Christian church was a collection of varying beliefs. There were some very powerful ideas in the mix, like giving access to direct worship to slaves... it was a powerful fellowship, very different than the established Roman religion. The people who followed it were a little strange. Many of the persecutions had to do with believers being unwilling to recant that they literally ate the blood and body of Christ, which was a very disturbing thought to the Romans. Besides, some Christians did recant to save their lives. In the 1300's most people believed the world was flat. That didn't make it true.
No i didnt ask you to believe me, just think about it.
@josh
"Think about it"...? As you can see from my post to you above, I really don't understand what your point/s is/are...?
Hence the W T F ???? In relationship to your post.
Regards,
Peace...
Think about what? What line of objective reasoning did you present with evidence to support it?
'As for you athiest, the only reason you deny there is a God is because you don't want to be held accountable for your sins.'
No, I dont think god exists because the idea of a magical being, casting spells, and controlling everything is simply the most absurd idea ever.
We deny him because there are many contradictions to christianity, there is no evidence to support his existance. You blindly follow the words of a 2000 year old book that was translated by many different authors. It's fraudulent people like Rick who use the word of god and churches to show that they are doing "good". Besides the fact he is clearly making the situation worse.
My favorite Presidential quote and why I reject the evangelical Christians
“I don’t know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.” President George H.W. Bush
I feel so included as an American!
Or, maybe I choose not to believe because I am willing to be held accountable for my mistakes without the threat of a big imaginary man in the sky watching me. Please, Santa Claus for adults is all that whole book is. I happen to be atheist, I volunteer at a shelter, I am a happily married monogamous person who's never stolen, never deliberately hurt anyone and guess what, I've NEVER NEEDED AN IMAGINARY MAN WATCHING ME TO GUIDE MY MORALS. I walk with my head held high knowing that what I consider common courtesy and basic human dignity, you religious people only do for fear of wrath and because of moral OBLIGATION as dictated by deadly sins and tablets and commandments. I am an incredibly decent person, I give more of my time to help others than a lot of my Christian friends and I sleep well knowing that IF there is a god, he made me the doubter of organized religions that I am today, therefore, I am still doing His work. Meanwhile, you sit there and judge us, exactly as you are instructed by your church not to. Typical hypocritical nonsense by the deeply religious, the group who is TRULY non willing to take accountability, everything in your life is HIS plan, HIS will, HIS command. I own what I do, and if I'm wrong, I stand alone, not behind an outdated book written by humans that is worshiped like it is God himself. You self righteous Christians and you're finger wagging make me so frustrated, you all worship icons (crosses, jesus statues, etc...) than sit on you high horse about what others do. Worry about your "accountability" not mine, thank you.
Mr. Warren. Anyone who devotes their resources, time, money and energies acting in a manner that brings healing, hope, reconciliation based on non-judgemental love, is to be commended. However, people acting in the name of God and their religion, often seek to control, disrupt, and bring more damage to an already hurting human race. I am afraid, the mi-use of Gods name to this end is nothing short of disgusting. People need to practice more humanity toward one another, and allow science to fix as much as it can. If you choose to believe God works in this way, fine. But, please do not force your version of religion down everyones throat to accomplish your goal, or as a precursor to making yourself justified. Practical hope is so much better than converting people to a misguided cause. I have serious doubts about you, you are selective in what you stand for. Equality and respect to humans is far more progressive than scoring a conversion.
If you mistrust religious groups doing humanitarian aid, will you take the lead if churches back out? Have you assembled your team of scientists and doctors to go? When can we count on you taking over? Churches are so involved because almost no one else is. Donated any money to AIDS research lately?
If I had the resources, I would step up to the plate and be prepared to do what I can. And yes, for your information, I regularly give money
As someone who considers himself a Christian, but has
been turned off by the Religious right, Mr Warren is to be commended,
not only for helping fight AIDS, but for bringing respectabilty back to the
Christian faithful.
Keep up the Good Work Mr. Warren!
Read this, then rethink your praise of this idiot:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/01/07/the-truth-about-rick-warren-in-africa.html
Yeah, but what about condoms?
Keep raking in the cash Warren. These religious hucksters with their accountants and phalanx of tax attorneys (i.e. real tax attorneys, not graduates from unaccredited law schools like Michelle Bachmann) work it so that the absolute minimum winds up going for the AIDs victims. The rest of the cash lines their pockets.
From the Article:
"Though late to the fight, in 2003 Kay and I heard God calling us to care for those infected and affected, to raise our voices on their behalf, and to figure out practical ways for local churches to serve them."
Really? God called them? I bet god's voice sounded a lot like their own thoughts.
Our brains are constantly generating thoughts. Brain chemistry determines our emotions. We can't really tell, that these thoughts and emotions originate in our brains. It's easy for Believers to perceive thoughts and feelings, generated by their brains, as coming from outside themselves. *sigh* Jesus? Is that you? LOL!
Richard Roberts does this schtick where god talks to him on television. Of course, no one else can hear god's voice...so I am a tad skeptical.
Helping the sick and the poor is a noble thing to do. Just leave out all the supernatural crap.
Cheers!
Cheers!
The reason man gets sick and has disease is from eating the forbidden fruit. Like i said earlier athiest want to deny God because they don't want to be held accountable for there sins they commit. You can bash the Christian Faith, Christ came to earth as a perfect gentleman he isn't forcing anybody to accept him. I did and I am proud of it.
Seriously, the only reason you're on here is to debunk religion. Go back and sit on your mom's couch and watch the science channel. You can learn more "facts and theories" about our world that will change in the next 24 hours.
@Win26
I don't know that what you say is true.. "the only reason -DJ is here is to debunk religion"
It may or may not be the 'only' reason, but it can certainly be a good one. That is to challenge the religious status quo.
Regards,
Peace...
The commission given to believers by Christ is not to "fight diseases which the LORD will send" but rather to preach the Gospel for the salvation of the lost.
The only hope for the world is Christ, not the prevention or eradication of a particular disease which will be replaced by another which the LORD will send.
Your tripping Josua. Get real, step back in to the real world man!
@Joshua
Yep, Josh...god will just send another disease. 'cause god so loves the world.
I'm glad I know evolution is responsible for disease and parasites that harm humans. I would find it tough to worship a god who constantly constructs suffering.
Cheers!
@Joshua
So... what I am getting from what you are saying is... 'don't' help eradicate horrible deadly diseases, that apparently, you believe (your god) is sending, for what reason again...? This kind o so loving god of yours...?
'Only' save souls by proselytizing...? Leave the sick to die because they deserve it...?
O.K... and believers often wonder why some of us non-believers are left scratching our heads at some of the absurdities that you believers spout off.
Wow...!!!
Regards,
Peace...
Joshua.......Did Jesus heal diseases and the sick? Sure he did. So why shouldn't we do the same? God does not send sickness upon people. He will however turn you over to your own destruction if you go your own way. Now who's fault is that? Certainly not God's. It is our fault for not listening to Him and obeying Him. Go check out the book called The Red Dragon. It is on the website of Fellowship of the Martyrs. It is very eye opening. God bless you.
I can't believe people like you actually exist in the 21st century. What is wrong with you?
@Joshua – what a sweet god you've got there. I'll do my best to not think about him at all so maybe he'll disappear! He can go have tea with Zeus.
As a atheist/freethinker,
people like you, Mr. Rick Warren, make me happy that there are still people that know how to help the world positively. While I know that the Bible says to help your fellow man and also to not support gay couples, adultery, etc... I applaud those that can follow the good messages without forming generalized negative opinions about others before meeting them. Most often, people are way more complex than a cursory glance can provide.
you believe what this fraud says about what hes doing with all that money..you are no freethinker
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/01/07/the-truth-about-rick-warren-in-africa.html
Mr. Warren. Anyone who devout their resources, time and energies acting in a manner that brings healing, hope, reconciliation based on non-judgemental love is to be commended. However, people acting in the name of God and their religion, often seek to control, disrupt, and bring more damage to an already hurting human race. I am afraid, the mi-use of Gods name to this end is nothing short of disgusting. People need to practice more humanity toward one another, and allow science to learnt o fix as much as it can. If you choose to believe God works in this way, fine. But, please do not force your version of religion down everyones throat to accomplish your goal. Practical hope is so much better than converting people to a misguided cause.
While I agree completely that practicing empathy, caring, and love without the shadow of religion is the most desirable option, the truth is that a majority of the US/world believes in some type of god and will be more likely to act in the name of that god than in pure human compassion. I too desire a world filled with caring people that will be good for the sake of being good, but as long as the ends are achieved, in this instance, I am all for a pastor that spreads the caring and sympathy for an HIV positive patient, even if it requires an intermediate "god."
How can you be so arrogant? The scientist working on a cure/vaccine are their best hope. Comforting and supplying them with basic health needs although honorable will not cure them.
I will change this in my future.
Africa thanks you.
so a continent speaks with one voice what a joke you.d better stop before you smash into europe
The Church's method is to make people feel better, but it doesn't do much in the way of medicine. Cure it, not bandage it.
If it was that easy genius they (scientists/physicians/etc.) would have cured it along time ago. While pursuing a cure, patients ARE more than just a diagnosis. A large majority of people are helped by the work that Christian missionaries are doing. In closing, as long as no one is abusing/stealing/any other gross misconduct you want to fill in, let them continue their good works in the name of whomever they choose. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
Nope.
Mr. Warren, I am not a religious person, but of all the religious people I have seen and heard. You are in the select few. That strike me as being true to the ideals of what you preach and believe. I commend you on your work. I just wish that others would follow in your example.
you are a sucker for a puffpiece article. he is helping himself to the money duma.ss
Read this, then rethink your praises of this idiot:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/01/07/the-truth-about-rick-warren-in-africa.html
Please don't be so impressed with Mr. Warren. Please look into his connections in Uganda where the government is STILL considering killing gay people. State sanctioned killing of gay people. As if being GAY were a capital offense. Martin Ssempa is the company he keeps. So, is his work in Africa inspired by the desire to help without judgement or does it have a more sinister motive? I would love to think one, but his relationships in Africa speak to the other. True especially in light of Mr. Warren's prior denunciations of GLBT people.
Religion is not the answer to health problems. Science is.
Ken...science isn't going to cure every disease...we're mortal and that's just the plain fact. People of faith..true faith who live according to what scripture says (not what we want it to say), can offer hope, peace of mind, comfort and compassion. A test tube, a micrscope and a few dedicated scientists might acutally find a cure for HIV/AIDS, but until then, people who are hurting from this disease will need people of faith to help them through it.
@tryagain – false hope. Look, if you believe in that stuff so much, then do us a favor. The next time that you're sick or hurt, try to pray it away. Have you ever been vaccinated? Enjoying safe drinking water? Enjoying chatting on the internet? All science. Nobody prayed and suddenly there was the inter-webs. Your medieval beliefs come from a time when people couldn't explain things like why the sun appears to move through the sky. So they said, "it must be a solar diety". I find it funny that you'll pray to god to cure AIDS before you realize that in your childish belief system, god invented AIDS. Clearly, your god is evil.
@Tryagain.... well now, we might become immortal. I'll be on a test tube and smart people rather than religious dogma any day.
@tryagain
You Said: "People of faith..true faith who live according to what scripture says (not what we want it to say), can offer hope, peace of mind, comfort and compassion."
Hmmm... So can anyone else with love, compassion, empathy and a willingness to help, can offer –hope, peace of mind, comfort and compassion.
What's your point...?
Regards,
Peace...
CATHOLIC STAND ON CONDOMS IN AFRICA
“When priests preach against using contraception, they are committing a serious mistake which is costing human lives.” With this distinctly undiplomatic language, Peter Piot, head of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), voiced the international community’s continuing distress over the Catholic church’s policy on condoms. “We do not ask the church to promote contraception, but merely to stop banning its use,” Piot told the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper following the United Nations’ conference on AIDS this past summer. The three-day special UN session stressed the need for nations to begin to talk plainly about AIDS in response to a catastrophic pandemic that has taken 22 million lives in less than 20 years. The final conference doc ument specifically noted the need for countries to expand access to condoms within five years.
Apparently the Catholic church was not listening to the unprecedented statement that many took as a sign that the world was finally ready to deal with the AIDS epidemic in a serious way. Archbishop Javier Lozano, who headed the Vatican delegation to the meeting, called for a prevention strategy revolving around “matrimonial fidelity” and “chast ity and abstinence,” while excluding “campaigns associated with models of behavior which destroy life and promote the spread of the evil in question”—a clear reference to the safe $ex and condom education campaigns that the meeting delegates had affirmed as essential to halting AIDS.
Source: By Patricia Miller, former editor of Conscience and director of writing and research at Catholics for a Free Choice
Cheers!
k
This statement is another example of the desparate ignorance and puritanical arrogance of Americans and their religion.
These are not the majority of Americans; not even the majority of religious Americans- a population that is growing smaller all the time. These people are the worlds' problem, not just ours.
Now that is a headline to chuckle at "Church is world’s most powerful weapon against AIDS". Why not start with telling the pontiff that the Church's preaching to Africans to avoid condoms is doing anything BUT helping slow the AIDS epidemic. The only people who have helped the AIDS epidemic are the very ones the Church loves to rail against and mock – scientists. It is science that has converted a once "deaht sentence" illness to a manageable condition. The next time I hear a creationist smear the work of science I want them to toss their cell phone, light a candle, and swim across the Atlantic on their next "Mission".
From the article:
" Behavior change will continue to be the most effective way to cut down on new infections."
What do they mean by behavior change? Abstinence? Studies have shown that won't work. Fidelity? Wouldn't count on it.
Condoms? Yes, if they are used properly. Education is a must. Condoms cost far less than AIDs Meds.
The biggest problem with condoms, is that men don't like to wear them. Yep, I went there!
Educate the man and the woman. And then, make them available. Make them FREE! A gift from the baby Jesus!
Take the advice of a freethinker. I am not tainted by dogma.
Cheers!