Hooray for the preacher’s AIDS test
The pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, has established himself as a leader among Atlanta — and national — clergy, a fitting heir to the mantle once worn by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Let’s hope his dcision to take an AIDS test during Sundays’worship service is quickly emulated by other preachers.
Warnock took the test as part of the National Week of Prayer for Healing of AIDS.
He stepped away from the pulpit, sat down and took a rapid oral fluid test.
Twenty minutes later, he announced that the results were negative, according to WXIA-TV.
“Amen,” he said.Warnock challenged other clergy to follow his lead, and after the service Ebenezer provided free and confidential tests to church members, the station reported.
The church, especially the black church, has lacked courage and leadership on the subject of AIDS. Let’s hope Warnock’s wise example begins to change that. If more people are tested, more can receive treatment and begin to stem the spread of this deadly disease.
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147 comments Add your comment
I agree
March 15th, 2010
1:34 pm
That guy did a good thing.
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
1:35 pm
when my dad was 77 he started dating a younger woman (68)….after they went together for AIDS tests, 2 things happened.
one, he started staying out all night….two, he set a marvelous example for his children and grandchildren.
at 86 he’s still pretty foxy!
excuser
March 15th, 2010
1:40 pm
kind of pathetic that an entire people depends on someone else telling them what to do or leading them. at some point in time, black people are going to wake up and realize that they have it in them to do things for themselves and to think for themselves. until them, go reverend wright, jackson, and sharpton. keep dependency alive.
CK Hall
March 15th, 2010
1:42 pm
Doing such in church makes me want to puke!
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
1:44 pm
i heard Lazarus’ buddies all came prepared with motion sickness bags.
Turd Ferguson
March 15th, 2010
1:48 pm
Wouldve been quite a shocker had the test came back positive. Bet there would be some hard praying going on then.
Turd Ferguson
March 15th, 2010
1:54 pm
“Dear Lord…Im gonna take another test just to be sure and please, PLEASE OH LORD let it come back negative. Dear God please let this be some kindve twisted joke you are playing on your humble servant…”
joan
March 15th, 2010
1:57 pm
Pretty telling about how far down the black community has slid, when a pastor feels it necessary to take an AIDS test in the pulpit. How horribly sad and disgusting. Time to get the heck out of Atlanta.
DMB
March 15th, 2010
2:02 pm
True leadership and very courageous. Now if he can take on the hypocrisy, hatred and bigotry that the some of people of faith are so famous for – that would be a true miracle.
Maybe one day all Christians will truly start following the teachings of Christ:
John 13:34-35 (New International Version)
(34)”A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (35) By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
2:02 pm
joan
you should have seen the folks running out of sacramento in 2008 when Pastor Rick Cole of the Capital Christian center gave a sermon on this topic concluding with an offer of free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing from Sacramento Center For AIDS Research, Education and Services.
last i heard sacramento is a ghost town.
ctucker
March 15th, 2010
2:03 pm
Joan, You must surely be aware that white people also get AIDS
Bill
March 15th, 2010
2:04 pm
What could possibly be wrong with that??
JT
March 15th, 2010
2:06 pm
There are quite a few ignorant responses here, suprisingly on this subject as it affects us ALL. Excuser….you’re SAD.
excuser
March 15th, 2010
2:13 pm
sorry, dont need someone else to “lead” me into taking care of myself. i have free will and i elect to exercise it.
joan
March 15th, 2010
2:14 pm
Dear CT. Of course I do. I am aware of lots of things, and the place and time for things as well. A concept which seems to be on the wane today.
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
2:18 pm
as i remember it Jesus regularly helped out the lepers….seems that kind of behavior is on the wane.
TGT
March 15th, 2010
2:19 pm
Did he then stand up and preach that homosexuality is a sin? That would have taken some real courage (in Atlanta at least).
I agree
March 15th, 2010
2:20 pm
“sorry, dont need someone else to “lead” me into taking care of myself. i have free will and i elect to exercise it.”
When was the last time your were tested Excuser?
Joan, Isn’t church a place to go and learn about how to live your life?
You may get tested regularly, but there are a lot of people who don’t. Frequent testing is a good topic of conversation at church, home, school, even the bank. You can’t hear it enough.
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
2:20 pm
i imagine he’d preach homosexuality was a sin if he could find something, anything that showed that jesus did too……
Bill
March 15th, 2010
2:21 pm
Joan and the Excuser – Good thing you and yours aren’t in control.
I agree
March 15th, 2010
2:36 pm
When preachers condemn homosexuals, they contribute to the AIDS epidemic directly. They belittle these people, and many of them then decide to live two lives. One openly heterosexual. The other secretly. Often the secret lifestyle is a more dangerous one.
Turd Ferguson
March 15th, 2010
2:46 pm
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
2:18 pm
Im not quite sure, however, leprosy wasnt self-inflicted.
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
2:47 pm
Turd
and all AIDS is?
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
2:50 pm
oh and turd….
The leprosy that killed Father Damien of Molakai…..since he didn’t have it when he got there to minister to the afflicted….he caught it…was that self inflicted?
DMB
March 15th, 2010
2:51 pm
@ I agree – Preach on! Church folk are pretty good about casting judgment and ignoring their own back yards. It’s wrong and is a direct reason why hatred and the HIV rate continues to rise. Wake up people – your personal views should not consume you with hatred. It’s turned me off to “Christians” and their hypocritical doctrine.
ctucker
March 15th, 2010
2:52 pm
I agree, I agree!
The Tar and Feathers Party
March 15th, 2010
2:53 pm
Was the good reverends test covered by his health insurance plan? If the test had come back positive, would his health insurance plan have dropped his coverage, or refused to write him coverage? Under ObamaCare, will there be mass screenings for HIV conducted in churches on a regular basis, all paid for by the now benevolent health insurance industry? If a pregnant woman tests positive for HIV infection, will an abortion be offered to her under ObamaCare? What next, blood pressure screening in church, bone density tests, how about tests for other STD’s? Just as church and state should not mix, I believe church and health care should not mix. The good reverends example is one thing, but mass screenings at church are another thing entirely. I am all for efficiency, but conduct the tests somewhere other than church.
red ribbon
March 15th, 2010
2:58 pm
Turd,
AIDS isn’t self inflicted. I remember a great quote from the 90’s. If AIDS is a disease that God inflicted on only the sinful, then lesbians must be God’s chosen because they are less likely to get the disease.
TGT
March 15th, 2010
2:58 pm
G.G.: So again we have the tired (and wrong) argument that since Jesus didn’t specifically condemn homosexuality he must have been okay with it.
Jesus also didn’t specifically condemn rape or incest either, so by your logic that would make these appropriate behaviors as well.
Jesus, of course, was in complete agreement with the Law, which specifically condemned homosexuality. Also, Jesus, when questioned about marriage said, “at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” and said “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’”
Here Jesus was talking about one man and one woman as the basis for marriage (which was always the case). Also, since his main audience was Jewish, or at least very familiar with the Law, Jesus probably had almost no occasion where He ever had to explain that homosexuality was/is a sin. Like prostitution, adultery, etc. it was well understood to be sin.
I agree
March 15th, 2010
3:05 pm
” What next, blood pressure screening in church, bone density tests, how about tests for other STD’s? Just as church and state should not mix, I believe church and health care should not mix.”
Many churches host “Life Line Screenings” which are of great service to the communities. These screenings have saved 100s of lives and are also a good opportunity for people in the community to have an interaction with a local church. The church teaches to care for your neighbor.
Turd Ferguson
March 15th, 2010
3:06 pm
I wouldnt know about Father Damien. However, the fact is not using protection is as good as playing russian roulette therefore self-inflicted.
Now of course there are exceptions, Ryan White, however those are exceptions.
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
3:15 pm
TGT
Nope, don’t buy it.
Whether you want to believe it or not a conservative interpretation of the bible is only interpretation.
For example(from religious tolerance.org):
Interpretation:
Conservatives frequently quote this verse in isolation and use it to show that God’s plan was for every man and woman to be heterosexual. Thus, by implication, this verse condemns all homosexual behavior as a violation of God’s intent for humanity.
Progressives would frequently point out that the above statement attributed to Jesus was in direct response to a request of the Pharisees who asked in Verse 3: ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife…?’ (NIV) Jesus answer is obviously in response to a question directed at wives and husbands; i.e. the “them” refers to a married couple. It is unrelated to homosexuality. He confirms this in Verse 6 where Jesus is quoted as saying: ‘So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.’ (NIV) Also, Jesus continues in Verse 12 by discussing men and women who, for various reasons, did not get married.
i respect your right to interpret the words of the fisherman differently than do i.
BADA BING
March 15th, 2010
3:23 pm
How about doing his job of preaching abstinance and foregoing the unnatural acts that cause AIDS. Of course there are innocent people that get AIDS, but the majority of AIDS patients are involved in RISKY SEX and drug abuse. I remember in the 80’s, the majority of people that got it were gay or Haitian (look it up, I did not make this up). The joke going around was…What is the hardest part of having AIDS?…… Convincing your parents and friends that you are Haitian.
TGT
March 15th, 2010
3:28 pm
G.G.: (Respectfully) It doesn’t matter whether you (or I, or anyone) “buys” it or not. Truth is not a matter of “interpretation.” Although, granted one must be careful picking and choosing particular scriptures to make a point. Again, given that Jesus was a Jew who followed (and accepted) the Law perfectly, and given the words/deeds contained within the Law, and the words/deeds of His other disciples on the matter of homosexuality (esp. Paul) and marriage, I think the Bible is very clear on the matter.
I agree
March 15th, 2010
3:35 pm
Bada Bing, His job is to preach the Gospel of Love. You know, love one another. His job, as is every Christian, is to not judge others and love unconditionally. His job, as is every Christian, is to help others without condemnation.
By encouraging his congregation to be tested for this deadly disease, I’d say he was doing just fine.
But, if you would prefer to go to a church where the preacher condemns and preaches hatred, there are plenty to choose.
Regardless of what church you attend, or if you don’t at all, do you really want every church to be the same????
I mean, isn’t variety and choice a good thing?
BADA BING
March 15th, 2010
3:37 pm
I know the PC crowd will scream at this, but the Gov’t should have rounded up all the few people that had AIDS in the early 80’s, and prevented the spread of the disease. As hard as it sounds, think of the hundreds of thousands of lives (Gays included) that would have been saved. There would have been no AIDS plague of the 80’s and 90’s, and it would have been controlled today, at least in the U.S.
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
3:39 pm
TGT
Yep, Jesus followed the laws of the Jews (probably was married too!)…..and we know how well that worked out for him.
I agree truth is not a matter of interpretation. I think the New Testament is very clear on the matter.
BADA BING
March 15th, 2010
3:47 pm
Do you want to be astounded? Find a map of the U.S. that shows the highest incidences of STDs, including AIDS. It will be shown as red circles in the areas of highest densities. All the circles overlap in the areas of the biggest, poorest cities. This is not a Black/White problem. It is a population problem.
I agree
March 15th, 2010
3:50 pm
BADA BING, The government should’ve rounded up the people with AIDS?
Which government? The US Government? Would they round up all the people in the world with AIDS, or just those in the lower 48 states?
Would they have forced us all to have AIDS tests too?
I am sure that would have gone over well. People are always willing to let the powers of the government expand and to force medical treatment on them.
Kamchak
March 15th, 2010
3:51 pm
The church, especially the black church, has lacked courage and leadership on the subject of AIDS. Let’s hope Warnock’s wise example begins to change that.
For years we have heard denouncements about the lack of “leading by example” from black males. Now one has stepped forward to lead by example, and is still denounced.
Some people just like to b!tch.
Beaves
March 15th, 2010
4:08 pm
Since all you lefties like Cuba, we should do what they did. Test everybody, no exceptions, and then they took all the people with AIDS and put them on a coastal island. There we go AIDS contained from the general population.
Chris Broe
March 15th, 2010
4:08 pm
Look, we can’t let Reverend Warnock turn Christianity into the Mayo Clinic!!
I was raised Catholic, and if I had taken an aids test (or a polio vaccine) in 1957, when our first grade class went to Mass every single day during lent, I would have been eaten alive by the nuns, who hovered over us during Mass like vultures just waiting for us to try something…..
But why stop with an aids test? why don’t we do brain surgery at church too? Or botox injections? or why not deliver babies in the pews? Why don’t we distribute the swine flu vaccine at mosques and get rid of the islamist threat once and for all and for the common good?
See the problem? Maybe House should be made a saint. If one more person thinks that he’s got a better idea than the Christ had and then tortures Christianity with that idea, like Martin Luther did in the fifteenth century, then I’m going to report each and every one of you to St Pete!!
One phone call. I’m not bluffing, people. One. Call. and That’s All 4U.
It doesn’t take much witness and testifyin’ from me to send a worthless soul to hell in a hand basket, folks.
Go ‘head. Make my eternity.
Jklol.
BADA BING
March 15th, 2010
4:16 pm
To ‘I AGREE’….. It is PC thinking like yours that has let AIDS run wild throughout the World. Yes, OUR Gov’t can round up people with TB and other contagious diseases. Yes, AIDS is a CONTAGIOUS DISEASE caused by contact with other people. Take away the CONTACT and you have no new cases. Can you understand that?
Granny Godzilla
March 15th, 2010
4:18 pm
beaves
can you come to my house? i need some of that fertilizer for my vegatable garden……
Chris
March 15th, 2010
4:19 pm
I think some of y’all missed the point:
1) he’s not advocating gov’t managed AIDS tests
2) he’s not advocating the churches getting involved in “obamacare” In fact, Obama isn’t even mentioned in the article.
3) He’s not giving a sermon today on homosexuality.
He was simply trying to show that getting tested isn’t a scary thing and is nothing to be ashamed of.
BADA BING
March 15th, 2010
4:23 pm
I AGREE, do you find it acceptable to let a small group of people bring disease to the entire country? Your ‘We Are the World’, lollypops in the sky, ‘Age of Aquarius’, rainbow world is what has ruined this country. We went from the Good Ole Boys’ Club running the country , to the ‘OH BOY’ Club telling the majority of the country to get USED To IT.
I agree
March 15th, 2010
4:31 pm
“Take away the CONTACT and you have no new cases. Can you understand that?”
Can you understand that our government has no jurisdiction over foreign countries and that we live in a Global Society? Can you understand that Government Mandated AIDS testing in 1979 would have led to social revolt?
I am going out on a limb and guess that at times you argue for limited, small government, and then when it suits your narrative, you argue for things as aggressive as government mandated testing, rounding up sick people all over the world, and limited travel.
Whats truly funny is that you are the one advocating that the government round up everyone in the world with AIDS, yet you find me to be the one living in a fantasy world.
cjamesatl
March 15th, 2010
4:31 pm
My, my. Much ado about nothing.
Myrtle Beach Bill
March 15th, 2010
4:35 pm
It seems like only yesterday that I heard a “former” president say, “I don’t care what the polls show, I’m in charge here.” And here we are!
Jackson
March 15th, 2010
4:39 pm
I think what he did was very courageous. I think it is sad that the African American community activists have to constantly push the need for HIV/AIDS testing when it should be part of a yearly physical examination. People fail to realize the importance of their health and well being. African Americans, not all, seem to wait until there is no turning back to get regular check ups. I think the community is doing the best they can @ stressing the important issues that surround our everyday lives. But when all the lights do out, it is always up to the individual to take the first step!!