Theology: Christian / Theological Ethics: HIV Aids

The global spread of HIV/AIDS poses grave challenges for individuals and institutions alike -- not least for Christians and the churches. What are the latest scientific findings about AIDS? How can we address the theological and ethical issues raised by AIDS? How can the churches respond to their members who are directly affected by AIDS? How can the churches help to prevent its spread? How are issues of human rights directly related to the spread of AIDS? This WCC study document is the fruit of two years of intensive consultation by an international group of pastors, theologians and ethicists, scientists, doctors and nurses, people living with AIDS and people working with those touched by it. Successive chapters focus on the scientific facts and social, economic and cultural context; theological perspectives; ethical and medical-ethical issues; human rights and responsibilities; and pastoral care by the church as healing community. The challenge of AIDS calls for a forthright and faithful response from Christians and the churches. This book is an important resource for shaping that response.

Is there a distinctive African perspective on right and wrong? Do ethical frameworks differ across cultures? Is there such a thing as a common global ethic? Do traditional African ethical views have anything to contribute to this global ethic? Can traditional African ethics survive in a world increasingly dominated by a single global economy?The contributors to this book show that there are distinctive common strands in African ethical views, although these need to be examined and challenged. They apply these strands to very different contexts: the worlds of business, medicine, government, political change and gender relationships.The authors reveal that despite their rootedness in a past culture, African ethics are in a continuous state of development and change, and have a considerable contribution to make to an emerging global ethic. This book demands that the African voice is heard.