the gloves are off!

Still on the theme of action, it’s not enough for our pastors to lead, we have to follow as church members and brothers and sisters in Christ. We have to march to the same beat. And that beat is action. HIV/AIDS has been very aggressive towards us; this is no time for gentlemanly strategies. It’s time to take the gloves off and fight back!

One sure way of doing this is making sure we address this monster head on. Making it church policy that all couples who intend to marry go for HIV/AIDS testing is not a bad starting point. No testing, no marriage! I am sure this will raise complaints from some people but this is necessary pain. Look at Cuba, they have close to the lowest rate on HIV/AIDS in the world, no mystery there. Look at their policy; it’s normal to go for routine HIV testing there. If you are positive, you are quarantined until the state is sure you can be responsible then they release you into society.

Ladies and gentleman, democracy does not work with HIV/AIDS. Sometimes I am tempted to think that the major reason why America has been so silent on the successes of these Arab countries as well as Cuba is because AIDS is big business worldwide but especially in America. The status quo is in the interest of those big pharmaceutical companies who will keep churning out remedies that manage but do not eradicate the disease. And of course there is the army of scientists, pouring billions of dollars into research but nothing so far. You might not agree with me but don’t underestimate the power and influence of business especially in America.

What I am saying is that the solution to HIV/AIDS will not come from people with vested interests but it will come from people like you and me. Why do we continue to look to a system that is not working? We have to make some revolutionary, and painful sacrifices. This calls for brave and bold leaders to convince the church that the democracy is not winning the war against HIV/AIDS. It has to be mandatory: New start or no marriage. And by the way, I am still a Christian, 200%. It’s time for frank talk and the gloves are off!