Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Miami Herald - April 5, 2003
Jay Weaver, jweaver@herald.com
The pamphlet, titled A Christian Response to AIDS, quotes Bible passages to urge compassion for people with HIV/AIDS.
"How would Jesus respond to a person with HIV or AIDS?" the brochure asks. "Jesus is our Hope," it declares.
The American Civil Liberties Union complained that the pamphlet, which has "Florida Department of Health" and the agency's logo on the cover, improperly mixes religious beliefs with health messages.
"I'm glad the state responded so quickly to the concerns in our letter," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida. "The mistaken judgment of the state was there for everyone to see."
Simon said that nearly 13,500 copies of the 16-page brochure were purchased by the Health Department in 2000 and 2001. The state distributes them to community organizations.
Health officials said the pamphlet was added to a list of state-approved HIV/AIDS education materials at the request of faith-based organizations, particularly black groups, that were involved in prevention programs.
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