I fail to see the connection you have made. The Bible states that all people are sinners, but that doesn't mean we all will acquire HIV. Likewise, admitting your sin and becoming a Christian does not guarantee you any perks on earth. I've known Christians who have died of cancer and many other tragic deaths.


I'm not sure by "normal society" you mean Christians (by your 90% figure in your opening paragraph) or just people in general. Taking the general populace, I know some very kind and generous non-Christians, and I know some curmudgeonly Christians - or at least people who say they are. But you shouldn't look at what "Christians" tell you or what some random guy on the internet says. Take a look at the Bible and Christ's attitude towards those you described. That should be our model - whether you claim to be a Christian or not.

First up, I think you meant "punishment of God" or "consequences of sin" instead of "sins of God", at least that would make more sense to me since it would be our doing which would have brought on the disease, correct? Anyway, I do see your larger point - that we are trying to counteract this. But again, I see it as being in a position where we can help, and helping those less fortunate. There are people with cancer. I have spare computer cycles. Somebody out there has found a way to take those spare computer cycles and put them towards cancer research. Why should I withhold my help? And yes, you can see by my badges that I haven't targeted FAAH. Cancer has hit my friends and family repeatedly, so I like to concentrate there with my limited resources. What makes you choose WCG over MalariaControl.net, TSC, Folding@Home, or any of the other bio focus projects? (If you do so.)


Just my thoughts as well. I hope this comes across in a friendly manner, I really mean the best by my comments and wish to spark helpful conversation. (Sometimes that doesn't come across well in writing.) And as others have pointed out, you will get a variety of responses on the percentage of Christians in the US, what it looks like to be a Christian, and how science interacts with Christianity. But in your research, I would take time to read scriptures on the life of Christ. There's much more valuable information in what he did and said than you'll get from people on a message board. All of us are just human with our biases and shortcomings.

Hi rbolo29, thanks for your response!

I guess I would agree that we should take responsibility for our actions, and understand that our actions have consequences. I would imagine that people saying that curing HIV removes a potential consequence to a sexually promiscuous lifestyle. But if anyone has commited sin and not accepted Christ and his sacrifice to cover their sin, then they have the consequence of an eternity in hell, which is much worse than years of a debilitating disease. Of course, the nonbeliever can respond that they don't believe in heaven and hell, which pretty much makes that arguement come to a standstill where neither side budges.

But let's step back from all that heavy thinking. First of all, as Christians, I think we are the ones who should be worried about consequences to our actions, and not worry or care if actions of the unsaved seem to go unpunished. I think God holds Christians to a higher standard, since they are supposed to know what's right. Likewise, I don't think it's the job of the Christian to condemn others. Somehow convincing a person to stop whatever sin won't get that person into heaven, but showing them how God does love them and has a seemingly too easy way to get to heaven can. I do recall many stories of Christ healing or showing compassion to people. I don't recall any of them where he stopped to think, "Hmm, how many lies has this person told, or how many people has this person slept with?" before he acted.

And if people want to go the "If you're living a good and pure life, you won't have to worry about these things" route, let's consider the world around us. You can never drink a sip of alcohol and still be killed by a drunk driver. Likewise, a person can life the "honorable and pure" life, and still be raped by someone with an STD. Did those people "deserve" what happened? (Not asking you, but the people who use this arguement.)

Finally, thanks for the little pat on the back for running WCG. I think it's something we can do, and I do wish more people would. I know plenty of people (Christian and not) who have no interest in something like this for numerous reasons (think it will harm the computer, increased energy usage/costs, not being computer savvy and thinking it takes a guru to keep it running, etc), but pretty much all think it's a good thing that I do. However, I realize that we have a long way to go and we may not see a breakthrough in my lifetime. But still, given the option of doing something or not, I'd rather have my computers doing something. And every contribution adds up!

Col323, you argue well, and your views do you credit (reflecting well on your faith, too). If everyone who professed to a religion took a similar view, the world would be a different (and much better) place.

But I think the very foundation of this thread is based on a myth. AIDS may have first been discovered in the gay population, but calling it a gay disease or blaming all the victims for risky behaviour is simply wrong.

• An estimated 370 thousand children under 15 became infected with HIV in 2007.
  
• There are 15.5 million women living with HIV (that's 50% of all adults living with HIV).
  
• There are 2 million children living with HIV, and Africa alone has 11.6 million AIDS orphans.

Also, most of these ladies here believe in "falling in love" as a safe way to date. A guy here must prove himself usually around friends or her family for months if not years in this city generally for a higher quality women. A lot will typically date from work or an inner circle(network) of friends. "When in doubt go with what you know is safe." I think these barriers do serve as a mostly effective safety network against rape. But, dont get me wrong that it does happen, there are statistics to prove it does...especially on campus.