ATLANTA - The senior pastor of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta plans to take an HIV/AIDS test as part of the worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The Rev. Raphael Warnock says silence, shame and stigma are keeping people from being tested, and the faith community needs to work to change that.
Warnock is taking the test as part of the National Week of Prayer for Healing of AIDS. He will take it while standing at the pulpit once used by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Warnock said he will use a type of test that doesn't require needles and that produces the results in less than 20 minutes.
And since the AC didn't do the rest of the story.....if you would like to get your test done in the CSRA go to www.csrasafetynet.org to find a testing site near you. Outside the csra go to www.hivtest.org.
This is outrageous. What's next, a prostate exam? A colonoscopy? This is beyond distasteful and sacreligious.
I sure believe in encouraging people to get tested if they fall in the category of being exposed or at high risk but I don't think you have to do this as a part of church sunday morning service. Ministers are supposed to preach from the Bible and apply it to everyday livng. Many of our black ministers have exchanged preaching the gospel for preaching a social/ political type of speaking. Could he not do the same thing on a special Saturday awareness day or something? Just my thought.
You people read to far in to things. He's Not saying its manditory, he is just trying to encourage people to do it for their health. He not saying if you don do it you will be banished from the church. If you dont want to do it dont, but dont down a man for trying to encourage people to be more knowledgable about thier health.
I don't know why anybody is ever surprised at a stunt like this by organized religion. Can somebody of any intelligence defend why people/places like this are exempt from paying their taxes?
I tend to agree with the pastors comments that silence, shame and stigma (and toss in ignorance) keep many from getting tested; however, I hope that one does not believe that prayer can cure anyone of HIV.
In response to gailkaitschuck: I believe that GOD can change ANY situation... Whenever you have some free-time... Google DeWanye Woods (Gospel Singer) and READ his true story about having HIV and how God has completely healed his body.... At times I have to remind myself that "What's to much for me, is just right for God"...... Never underesimate GOD, because a prayer can change anything... Thanks
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