AEGiS-BKREV: AIDS, Ethics and Religion: Embracing a World of Suffering Books In Print
click here to return to Books In Print main menu

Buy this book here!

AIDS, Ethics and Religion: Embracing a World of Suffering

Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308. 284p., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-88344-949-8. $18.95.
edited by Kenneth R. Overberg. 1994.

Abstract: "By presenting the facts about AIDS, this anthology challenges the misconceptions and focuses on the profound dilemmas confronting society and religion." AIDS, ethics, and religion are being discussed more and more as this disease takes its toll on humanity. There is no one answer except compassion. But even here compassion is not always present because of the deep rooted intolerances that some individuals have toward those who have HIV infection. AIDS challenges every aspect of life from moral dilemmas to religion. The first part of the book--"Geography and AIDS: Suffering's Spread"--contains essays cover the sobering facts of AIDS, the spread of AIDS in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and the views of a Catholic Doctor in the U.S. The second part--"Ethics and AIDS: Moral Issues"--covers such topics as the ethics of caring for patients with HIV or AIDS, the ethics and treatment of HIV infection, women and AIDS, intravenous drug users, HIV-infected professionals and patient's rights, costs, risks, and vaccines. There is much to be learned from this section since moral issues are in the news more and more.

The third part--"Society and AIDS: Responses and Strategies"--has a lot to present, including public opinion, AIDS backlash, public health policies, new approaches to the epidemic, prevention for women, living positively, and hope. Timothy Murphy, a well-known author on the ethics of AIDS and ethics in medicine writes an excellent chapter, "No Time for an AIDS Backlash." He sums it up very clearly by saying "If HIV research and therapy are relegated to a lesser rank in the nation's priorities, it will be gay men, needle users, their sexual partners and their children who will continue to pay the price of neglect, and the epidemic will become again the shadow killer that it was in the beginning." The fourth part--"Religion and AIDS: Compassion and Care"--covers the ways the churches are dealing with the epidemic, stressing that this is a time for special opportunities. This is a book for a wide audience from the layperson to the Catholic Bishop to the caregiver to the politician. It is a book that should be available in every library. Ethics and religion are the two things that people hide behind when it comes to talking about the victims of this disease. We have to educate, educate, educate, if we are to conquer the prejudices and mis-information.

Keywords: Moral and Ethical Aspects, Religious Aspects, Christianity, Social Aspects) (28 contributors to this volume)

KWDmoralandethicalaspects,religiousaspects,christianity,socialaspects)(28contributorstothisvolume)
950730
BK950374

Copyright © 1995 - The University of Illinois at Chicago. All materials in the journal are subject to copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and may be reprinted or redistributed for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other reprinting, redistribution, or translation, address requests to H. Robert Malinowsky, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, PO Box 8198, Chicago, IL 60680 or electronically to hrm@uic.edu.

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1995. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1995. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .