Faith

Many people find that their community of faith is supportive during hard and difficult times in life. Your diagnosis with HIV may at times be associated with these types of feelings.

Continuing to participate in your community of faith can give strength, courage, encouragement and feelings of hope.

Unfortunately, some faith groups find HIV and sexuality difficult topics to discuss. As with any group of people, there runs the risk of stigma and discrimination when a subject cannot be addressed openly.

Stigma and discrimination are difficult burdens to bear, and may cause those who are HIV positive to withdraw from their faith community or become silent. Many people living with HIV often do not disclose their status within their faith community because of fears of being treated differently. As a result, faith communities may wrongly believe that everyone feels welcomed and safe.

Remember that you should not feel pressure to disclose your HIV status until you feel comfortable with it. See the Telling people section for more details.

Although some faith communities may hold views of stigma and discrimination, this is certainly not true for all faith leaders or communities.

Should you choose to be part of a faith community, it is important to find one where you do feel welcome and where you can disclose your HIV status without the fear of being rejected, discriminated against or stigmatised.

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The Information Standard: Certified member

This article was last reviewed on 30/9/2012 by T. Kelaart

Date due for the next review: 30/9/2014

Content Author: J.Ochieng

Current Owner: J.Ochieng

More information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006). CDC Executive Summary: CDC Consultation on Faith and HIV Prevention. Atlanta, GA USA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Eliminating Stigma and Discrimination in the Church, LutheranAIDS Network (200)

Africa HIV/AIDS Faith Initiative, Soul City Institute: Health and Development Communication (2009)

Hope For Africa: The Balm In Gilead Forges Cross-National, Cross-Faith Partnerships with Five African Nations to Mount a Formidable Response to HIV/AIDS, Global Health Council (2005)