Loaves & Fishes, July-August 1987

MAJOR CONCERN: Gospel Witness and AIDS Crisis

by Tim Rodden

Prejudice and unwillingness to accept differences in people are very common phenomena encountered in the work of Meeting Ground. Prejudice has its roots in the illogical fear of that which is different from oneself. Hence we encounter prejudice and fear of people in need because we perceive their situation in life as different from our own. The real fear lies in our subconscious knowledge that the differences between "us" and "them" are really quite minimal, if present at all.

We go wrong in dealing with these perceived differences from the inception of our relationship with the other person. This can be seen in the simple yet telling act of averting our eyes from someone "deferent" from "us" when we are walking down a city street. It is much easier for us not even to begin a relationship than to find out that we might be further engaged with someone "different" from "us."

The crux of the dilemma might be summed up in our unwillingness to recognize our own neediness, and that perhaps the person who is so "different" from "us" might be the vehicle for addressing our own neediness. Jesus was able to address the needs of his time because he acknowledged his own need from the start. The "need" that Jesus addressed in himself and in all those he encountered was the human need of relationship: A relationship based on love and mutual acceptance. Jesus brought to a relationship the realization that we are originally blessed in being part of God's creation. This realization of blessing gave Jesus the unique vantage point of seeing all of us in the equality to which we were created.

About half of my time as a member of the Meeting Ground Community is spent relating to and working with people with AIDS/ARC (PWAs and PWARCs). At present the majority of people affected by AIDS in the Delmarva Peninsula are gay men. No one knows why AIDS entered the gay community in this country. (In Africa AIDS has primarily affected the heterosexual community: 50% men, 50% women.) Thankfully, through preventive education the overall percentages in the gay community are dropping. Unfortunately, the heterosexual community and I.V. drug abusers have failed to recognize and acknowledge that the virus which can cause AIDS is an "equal opportunity" virus knowing no bounds: neither class, race, sex, religion, political party affiliation, age, sexual orientation, nor any other perceived "differences" between people.

I want to focus this analysis on the prophetic role the gay and lesbian community has played, and will continue to play in helping the wider society face reality in dealing in an effective and compassionate way with AIDS and with the gay and lesbian community that has taken on the role of friend, helper, advocate, and educator in this crisis. Usually we envision the church in such a prophetic role. Even though most major denominations have beautiful statements from their national assemblies about AIDS, it has not trickled down to the local church. There is now, at this late date, more interest springing up among churches and faith communities about the issue of AIDS. Unfortunately, this interest is indeed late and is rooted in feelings of guilt and of fear.

It is ironic that the very institutions that have mistreated and oppressed gays and lesbians must now turn to this very community for help and assistance in addressing the issue of AIDS. It is to the gay and lesbian community that the organized church must turn in order to learn how to minister and to offer compassion and love. In the Delmarva Peninsula we are fortunate to have the vital witness of Delaware Lesbian and Gay Health Advocates (DLGHA) to which churches and faith communities can turn for guidance and education. We are also blessed in the witness of the Metropolitan Community Church in Wilmington, Delaware, (a church for gay and lesbian Christians and family and friends) under the leadership of pastor Jim Hensley.

One of the red flags confronting the heterosexual Christian in confronting AIDS is that of homosexuality. It is an issue that anyone seriously interested in the AIDS issue must address. The first thing the heterosexual Christian will do is to proof-text or cite Bible passages to defend a predetermined conclusion that being gay or lesbian is "sinful." The underlying problem with this lies in the reality that you can read into the Bible what you want. We all carry our presuppositions and prejudices with us when we read the Bible. For every argument declaring homosexuality a sin based on the Bible there is a corresponding argument against such an interpretation.

Even the "liberal" churches and faith communities have fundamental difficulty in overcoming their own fear of the homosexual Christian's "difference." The "liberal" view is to look at the gay man or lesbian as "sinful" yet worthy of tolerance. The view is that the homosexual's "sin" is not in his/her control; therefore the gay or lesbian should not be an object of discrimination. But, this same "liberal" view continues in its exposition to say that on the basis of the fact that a person is homosexual he/she cannot hold an ordained office of the church. The gay or lesbian Christian sees this view as hypocritical of the very nature of love and acceptance that the church preaches. The liberal church establishment offers to the gay/lesbian Christian a second-class citizenship or membership in God's Realm of Shalom.

It is this sentiment that is felt by the gay/lesbian Christian of the liberal church establishment. Would you turn to such an institution for nurture and recognition of self-worth? We must always come back to the witness that Jesus offers to us. Jesus teaches us to reach out in relationship to our brothers and sisters in a spirit of true equality. We must realize that the "difference" between the heterosexual Christian and the homosexual Christian is a perception based on outward appearance. We are compelled by the Gospel to break through the surface and to recognize, as did Jesus, that we all are searching for love, compassion, and mutual acceptance in relationship. Once this happens we can truly experience God's Shalom.

It is to this end that the Pastoral Care Committee was formed as part of Delaware Lesbian and Gay Health Advocates. The gay and lesbian community has recognized the need of the community to achieve holistic well-being. The AIDS crisis is not the only dilemma facing the gay and lesbian community, even if it does occupy much deserved time and attention. There is recognition of the need for emotional and spiritual nurture to complete the picture of well-being. It is for this reason that an inter-faith network of concerned, sensitive, and informed clergy and religious leaders is being expanded by the Pastoral Care Committee of DLGHA to open the door that many have had closed in their face. The offering of love, compassion, and nurture from the traditional religious community is long overdue. The gay and lesbian community is reaching out in the spirit of reconciliation. Will the liberal church establishments and faith communities respond?