Christian ethics and HIV stigma: Solidarity, social responsibility and the golden rule
This article examines human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) stigma within South African Christian faith communities, where misconceptions linking HIV to moral failing persist. Employing an analytical approach, the study critically analyses Articles 13 (Solidarity and Cooperation) and 14 (Social Respons...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
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AOSIS
2025-06-01
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| Series: | HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies |
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| Online Access: | https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10536 |
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| author | Germari Kruger Eduardus A.J.G. van der Borght Adriaan L. Rheeder |
| author_facet | Germari Kruger Eduardus A.J.G. van der Borght Adriaan L. Rheeder |
| author_sort | Germari Kruger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article examines human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) stigma within South African Christian faith communities, where misconceptions linking HIV to moral failing persist. Employing an analytical approach, the study critically analyses Articles 13 (Solidarity and Cooperation) and 14 (Social Responsibility and Health) of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, alongside selected biblical narratives, to develop an ethical framework addressing stigma. Using a literature review methodology, it integrates these principles with the Christian ‘golden rule’ (Mk 12:28–34) and the African philosophy of Ubuntu, promoting compassion, acceptance and collective responsibility for people living with HIV. The framework aims to bridge global bioethical standards with local religious and cultural values. This study offers a unique contribution to Christian ethical evaluations of HIV stigma, emphasising solidarity and social responsibility as actionable responses.
Contribution: The article offers a unique contribution to the literature on HIV stigma in Christian ethical evaluations through the lens of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3d8ec92539af4fc8a4c7cb2a1a3bc123 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0259-9422 2072-8050 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-3d8ec92539af4fc8a4c7cb2a1a3bc1232025-08-20T03:28:26ZafrAOSISHTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies0259-94222072-80502025-06-01811e1e910.4102/hts.v81i1.105366133Christian ethics and HIV stigma: Solidarity, social responsibility and the golden ruleGermari Kruger0Eduardus A.J.G. van der Borght1Adriaan L. Rheeder2Unit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; and, Department of Beliefs and Practices, Faculty of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, theDepartment of Beliefs and Practices, Faculty of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, theUnit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, PotchefstroomThis article examines human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) stigma within South African Christian faith communities, where misconceptions linking HIV to moral failing persist. Employing an analytical approach, the study critically analyses Articles 13 (Solidarity and Cooperation) and 14 (Social Responsibility and Health) of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, alongside selected biblical narratives, to develop an ethical framework addressing stigma. Using a literature review methodology, it integrates these principles with the Christian ‘golden rule’ (Mk 12:28–34) and the African philosophy of Ubuntu, promoting compassion, acceptance and collective responsibility for people living with HIV. The framework aims to bridge global bioethical standards with local religious and cultural values. This study offers a unique contribution to Christian ethical evaluations of HIV stigma, emphasising solidarity and social responsibility as actionable responses. Contribution: The article offers a unique contribution to the literature on HIV stigma in Christian ethical evaluations through the lens of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights.https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10536hiv stigmachristian ethicssolidaritysocial responsibilitysouth africa. |
| spellingShingle | Germari Kruger Eduardus A.J.G. van der Borght Adriaan L. Rheeder Christian ethics and HIV stigma: Solidarity, social responsibility and the golden rule HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies hiv stigma christian ethics solidarity social responsibility south africa. |
| title | Christian ethics and HIV stigma: Solidarity, social responsibility and the golden rule |
| title_full | Christian ethics and HIV stigma: Solidarity, social responsibility and the golden rule |
| title_fullStr | Christian ethics and HIV stigma: Solidarity, social responsibility and the golden rule |
| title_full_unstemmed | Christian ethics and HIV stigma: Solidarity, social responsibility and the golden rule |
| title_short | Christian ethics and HIV stigma: Solidarity, social responsibility and the golden rule |
| title_sort | christian ethics and hiv stigma solidarity social responsibility and the golden rule |
| topic | hiv stigma christian ethics solidarity social responsibility south africa. |
| url | https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10536 |
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