By Lambert Sands
Marriage Mechanics Ministries
Several days ago, national media organizations carried a breaking news
story of the changing position of the Roman Catholic Church toward
homosexuality. Whereas, it was nothing more than an embellishment of
impromptu and ill-advised remarks made by the Pope, it showcased the
ambition and drive of the homosexual agenda to promote the acceptance of
the vile and heinous sin of homosexuality throughout the world.
Without doubt, recently, there has been an avalanche of homosexual
stories in the media. Many of the stories are exaggerations,
misinformation, and sometime very morbid and crude untruths meant to
show homosexuality as a natural and viable lifestyle. People are told
homosexuality can be found among various species of animals, so humans,
being primates, are perfectly normal if they are homosexuals.
Professional players are being reprimanded for inappropriate homosexual
comments. Then, the wife of President of the United States, called a
homosexual person to congratulate him for “coming out” or openly letting
everyone know that he was a homosexual, and the list goes on.
Sadly, most people are not even aware of impact and the significance of
this torrent of homosexual information passed on as being normal and
innocuous. The media, especially in America and the UK, show a decided
bias never allowing stories about the opposite point of view to be told
or showcased (I guess it would be considered hate speech or some form of
phobia). Thus, the avalanche continues unabated, with younger people
and a new generation who have no fundamental religious upbringing or
teaching, destined to accept and embrace homosexual doctrine. They are
unsuspectingly being infected with the spiritual HIV virus.
During the 1980s was our first encounter with the dreaded HIV virus
which struck first at the homosexual community. The virus immobilizes
and destroys the human immune system. The resulting condition and
disease is called AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The
disease doesn’t kill you; however, it leaves the body defenseless to the
ravages of all other diseases including the common cold. People who
contracted AIDS during the 1980s died quick and untimely deaths causing
much fear and trepidation among various communities.
Similarly and spiritually, homosexuality has the appearance of
toleration; live and let live: and we have a right as consenting adults
to do whatever we desire; but it’s a mirage and teaser for greater and
more profound wickedness and debauchery leading to the end of
civilization. Male and female represent the foundation of civilization.
If we recognize and accept a man pretending to be a woman or a woman
pretending to be a man as normal, we then endorse Satan’s greatest and
most vile deception…isn’t it a deception for someone to pretend to be
something that they are not???? Like Satan pretends to be God???
You see, if you accept homosexuality, a man having sexual relations with
another man or a woman having sexual relations with another woman,
then, what about polygamy; what about bestiality (apparently now on the
rise), what about lowering the age of sexual consent; what about a man
and his daughter, mother and son; and the devilish list can go on?
Evil then multiplies exponentially, thus, the “AIDS” effect of
homosexuality. Wow!
My friend, homosexuality is not a new
phenomenon. It’s an old, very old perverse sin and spiritual disease
that led to the utter destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This is true!
This is real! This has happened! “And turning the cities of Sodom and
Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an
ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just
Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that
righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his
righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)” (2 Peter
2:6-8)
We, the human race, are known for this one thing:
repeating mistakes! We love doing the same things over and over again
hoping for a different result. We get smart; we invent stuff; we feel
enlightened; we have money; then, we become prideful and stupid.
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, …For this cause
God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change
the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also
the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one
toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and
receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave
them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not
convenient;” ( Romans 1:26-28)
Then, God has to step in and
clean it all up like Sodom and Gomorrah and in Noah’s time. “And as it
was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of
man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in
marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood
came, and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:26-27) “Likewise also as it
was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they
sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of
Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”
(Luke 17:28-30)
Homosexuality signals judgment! We are headed
in this direction with-I may add-speed! The Lord continues to warn us,
especially the spiritual leaders in America and the western world who
love to point fingers at the government to create a smokescreen for
their own wickedness. You see, if there is no revival, and the Church
of the Lord Jesus Christ does not travail in prayer and revival, the
Lord himself will judge. This generation will not pass away until
everything is fulfilled. That means dire judgment!!! Remember Sodom
and Gomorrah! Remember Noah! Lot waited until it was too late before
running around like a chicken with his head chopped off telling
everyone about the impending doom. The present church is no different.
Living lavishly in the present world, we are that Laodicea church, rich
in goods and believe we have need of nothing. (no real evangelism)
(Revelations 3:14-22) Yet, we are divorced, selfish, self-centered and
without spiritual illumination. God help us!!
We are the
light of the world. We are the salt of the earth. We have a job to
tell our neighbors about the Living Christ and the God who can save any
one. We are to share God’s love with the world. Before my wife passed
away, she did this: There was a young man who was a homosexual that
worked at a large department store where I live. When we visited the
store, he seemed to vault his homosexual behavior. He would throw his
hips. He would act real feminine and the like. One day, my wife
witnessed to him telling him about the love of Jesus and praying with
him. About two weeks later, when I visited the store, he ran up to me to
tell me about his new found relationship with Jesus Christ. He was
simply ecstatic! He didn't have religion, no, he had a real relationship
with the man called Christ! He recounted to me how he found Christ and
his new devotion to witnessing and telling others about Christ. God is
still in the saving business…let’s get busy and put a stop to the AIDS
disease!
Lambert Sands
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label AIDS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AIDS. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Thursday, December 1, 2011
...the United States is proud to partner with The Bahamas in the global fight against HIV/AIDS
Op-Ed by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires John Dinkelman - U.S. Embassy in Nassau - - Working Towards an AIDS-Free Generation
On World AIDS Day, we pay tribute to the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide as well as the millions of lives have been saved, as HIV treatment and prevention efforts continue to show results. The number of new HIV infections has fallen by more than 20 percent since 1997. New infections are continuing to decline in most parts of the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by the AIDS epidemic, HIV incidence has decreased in 22 countries. Never before in the history of AIDS have we reached a moment where we are able to stand up and say with conviction the end of AIDS is in sight.
Since the inception of The U.S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the United States has led the response to the global epidemic. To date, PEPFAR is the largest commitment in history by any nation to combat a single disease. To commemorate World AIDS Day, PEPFAR is promoting the global theme "Leading with Science, Uniting for Action" with the goal of highlighting recent scientific advances that will help us move toward the goal of an AIDS-free generation.
Building on the success of PEPFAR and other global health programs, U.S. President Barack Obama has put forward an ambitious Global Health Initiative (GHI); a unified strategy to save lives and maximize investments to address the most challenging health issues. These gains have also translated into better health for millions of people around the world.
Through its partnerships with more than 30 countries, PEPFAR directly supported 11 million people with care and support, including nearly 3.8 million orphans and vulnerable children, in fiscal year 2010 alone. PEPFAR directly supported HIV counseling and testing for nearly 33 million people in fiscal year 2010, providing a critical entry point to prevention, treatment, and care.
Smart investments have also maximized the human impact of resources. Experience in the field has taught us how to use every dollar invested in battling HIV/AIDS more effectively and efficiently. This means we are getting value for our money - every dollar is going farther, allowing us to increase our impact and save more lives.
Within the PEPFAR Caribbean Program, the United States Government is actively partnering with Caribbean Governments in making smarter investments in these difficult economic times with an increased focus on the efficient use of health sector funding to save as many lives as possible. For example, working with the national laboratories in Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, the PEPFAR Caribbean Program has supported the strengthening of laboratory systems throughout the Caribbean, resulting in a significant increase in the quality of services being provided by national laboratories.
By working closely with laboratory staff in 12 Caribbean countries, including The Bahamas, PEPFAR has also facilitated the creation integrated laboratory systems in support of HIV surveillance, prevention, care and treatment programs. Ultimately, this work contributes to the larger vision of strengthening national HIV/AIDS programs and improving local capacity to address public health priorities.
As we move forward with PEPFAR, the United States is proud to partner with The Bahamas in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The road before us is clear. Evidence-based programs have played a key role in our success to date, and new scientific discoveries provide an opportunity to expand our impact. United in action, we can build on our successes, save even more lives and above all work towards the ultimate goal – an AIDS-free generation.
November 30, 2011
nassau.usembassy.gov
thenassauguardian
On World AIDS Day, we pay tribute to the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide as well as the millions of lives have been saved, as HIV treatment and prevention efforts continue to show results. The number of new HIV infections has fallen by more than 20 percent since 1997. New infections are continuing to decline in most parts of the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by the AIDS epidemic, HIV incidence has decreased in 22 countries. Never before in the history of AIDS have we reached a moment where we are able to stand up and say with conviction the end of AIDS is in sight.
Since the inception of The U.S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the United States has led the response to the global epidemic. To date, PEPFAR is the largest commitment in history by any nation to combat a single disease. To commemorate World AIDS Day, PEPFAR is promoting the global theme "Leading with Science, Uniting for Action" with the goal of highlighting recent scientific advances that will help us move toward the goal of an AIDS-free generation.
Building on the success of PEPFAR and other global health programs, U.S. President Barack Obama has put forward an ambitious Global Health Initiative (GHI); a unified strategy to save lives and maximize investments to address the most challenging health issues. These gains have also translated into better health for millions of people around the world.
Through its partnerships with more than 30 countries, PEPFAR directly supported 11 million people with care and support, including nearly 3.8 million orphans and vulnerable children, in fiscal year 2010 alone. PEPFAR directly supported HIV counseling and testing for nearly 33 million people in fiscal year 2010, providing a critical entry point to prevention, treatment, and care.
Smart investments have also maximized the human impact of resources. Experience in the field has taught us how to use every dollar invested in battling HIV/AIDS more effectively and efficiently. This means we are getting value for our money - every dollar is going farther, allowing us to increase our impact and save more lives.
Within the PEPFAR Caribbean Program, the United States Government is actively partnering with Caribbean Governments in making smarter investments in these difficult economic times with an increased focus on the efficient use of health sector funding to save as many lives as possible. For example, working with the national laboratories in Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, the PEPFAR Caribbean Program has supported the strengthening of laboratory systems throughout the Caribbean, resulting in a significant increase in the quality of services being provided by national laboratories.
By working closely with laboratory staff in 12 Caribbean countries, including The Bahamas, PEPFAR has also facilitated the creation integrated laboratory systems in support of HIV surveillance, prevention, care and treatment programs. Ultimately, this work contributes to the larger vision of strengthening national HIV/AIDS programs and improving local capacity to address public health priorities.
As we move forward with PEPFAR, the United States is proud to partner with The Bahamas in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The road before us is clear. Evidence-based programs have played a key role in our success to date, and new scientific discoveries provide an opportunity to expand our impact. United in action, we can build on our successes, save even more lives and above all work towards the ultimate goal – an AIDS-free generation.
November 30, 2011
nassau.usembassy.gov
thenassauguardian
Friday, December 3, 2010
HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention
Education and prevention
thenassauguardian editorial
It was interesting to hear an official from the Bahamas AIDS Foundation during a talk radio show say that AIDS has been downgraded to a communicable disease from a killer disease.
She went on to explain that because of the advancement in medicine, it is now possible for people to live with the disease longer and stronger.
While that is good news, it makes one wonder if such information would only add to the nonchalant attitude that many people currently have towards AIDS - especially young people.
The fact that AIDS can be downgraded may cause some to let down their guard about their sexual responsibility. There is the fear that now that new medicines are being made available to not just manage the disease, but allow people to live longer, some may no longer take the risk of contracting the disease as serious as they would have in the past.
But the truth is, even in the face of medical advancement AIDS is still a silent killer in The Bahamas.
Usually, that characteristic was given to hypertension, which has no warning signs, but able to strike at any minute.
Over the past few years, since the initial all out campaigns to try and stop the spread of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) it has gone on to kill millions every year.
Here are some facts – 33.4 million people are living with AIDS worldwide.
Of that number close to 300,000 of those people reside within the Caribbean. Further, since the end of 2008, 12,000 people within the Caribbean have died from AIDS related illnesses.
It was good to see the focus return to the AIDS epidemic during World AIDS Day on December 1, because for the past few years people seemed to have forgotten about the killer disease.
Some how, as the world got crazier and as the world turned its attention to terrorism, it seemed as if the focus on AIDS education had waned. AIDS had become yesterday’s news. But the truth is, AIDS is still out there and it is still affecting millions of people everyday.
The sexual promiscuity among our young people and adults is an indication that the necessary sex education and discussions about AIDS had dwindled greatly. We must return to spreading the word that AIDS is still a killer disease.
Yes, even in the face of the most modern of medicines, we must continue to warn people about the importance of being sexually responsible. Casual sex is no longer a trend that has no consequences.
We have reached a point now where a stigma has been attached to people infected with AIDS. But times have changed.
It is that same stigma which has caused many affected Bahamians not to step forward and seek medical help. They are afraid of the tag that would be attached to them.
However, in our educational revamp of AIDS and HIV, removing such a stigma associated with this disease must also take place.
Unlike other sexually transmitted diseases in the past which may have gone away with time, or treated effectively, AIDS has not gone away. It continues to take lives on a daily basis. We must turn our attention again to education and prevention.
12/2/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
thenassauguardian editorial
It was interesting to hear an official from the Bahamas AIDS Foundation during a talk radio show say that AIDS has been downgraded to a communicable disease from a killer disease.
She went on to explain that because of the advancement in medicine, it is now possible for people to live with the disease longer and stronger.
While that is good news, it makes one wonder if such information would only add to the nonchalant attitude that many people currently have towards AIDS - especially young people.
The fact that AIDS can be downgraded may cause some to let down their guard about their sexual responsibility. There is the fear that now that new medicines are being made available to not just manage the disease, but allow people to live longer, some may no longer take the risk of contracting the disease as serious as they would have in the past.
But the truth is, even in the face of medical advancement AIDS is still a silent killer in The Bahamas.
Usually, that characteristic was given to hypertension, which has no warning signs, but able to strike at any minute.
Over the past few years, since the initial all out campaigns to try and stop the spread of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) it has gone on to kill millions every year.
Here are some facts – 33.4 million people are living with AIDS worldwide.
Of that number close to 300,000 of those people reside within the Caribbean. Further, since the end of 2008, 12,000 people within the Caribbean have died from AIDS related illnesses.
It was good to see the focus return to the AIDS epidemic during World AIDS Day on December 1, because for the past few years people seemed to have forgotten about the killer disease.
Some how, as the world got crazier and as the world turned its attention to terrorism, it seemed as if the focus on AIDS education had waned. AIDS had become yesterday’s news. But the truth is, AIDS is still out there and it is still affecting millions of people everyday.
The sexual promiscuity among our young people and adults is an indication that the necessary sex education and discussions about AIDS had dwindled greatly. We must return to spreading the word that AIDS is still a killer disease.
Yes, even in the face of the most modern of medicines, we must continue to warn people about the importance of being sexually responsible. Casual sex is no longer a trend that has no consequences.
We have reached a point now where a stigma has been attached to people infected with AIDS. But times have changed.
It is that same stigma which has caused many affected Bahamians not to step forward and seek medical help. They are afraid of the tag that would be attached to them.
However, in our educational revamp of AIDS and HIV, removing such a stigma associated with this disease must also take place.
Unlike other sexually transmitted diseases in the past which may have gone away with time, or treated effectively, AIDS has not gone away. It continues to take lives on a daily basis. We must turn our attention again to education and prevention.
12/2/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
Monday, November 29, 2004
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General on the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in The Region
Caricom Secretary-General Calls HIV/Aids 'Clear And Present' Danger
Bahamas Information Services
29th November 2004
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts/Nevis - Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington, says the region is locked in a 'deadly stranglehold' by the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is likely to annihilate a sizeable portion of its workforce if something 'radical' is not done to reverse the trend.
Mr. Carrington said the epidemic has already cost regional economies more than $50 million directly and indirectly, in addition to the large numbers of nationals who have died as a result of complications from the disease.
(The monetary figures were obtained from a survey conducted by the Health Economic Unit).
According to the latest UNAIDS figures, the Caribbean is the second-most affected region in the world, trailing only sub-Sahara Africa. Statistics further show that AIDS has become the leading cause of death among persons aged 15-44.
The UN AIDS report also shows that there have been 53,000 new cases of adults and children infected with the disease in 2004.
"We are entering times of clear and present danger and this is particularly threatening and disturbing, especially now that we in this region are optimistically poised to implement the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)," said Mr. Carrington.
"HIV/AIDS is a destructive force that can undermine the whole edifice of the CSME. The epidemic of stigma and discrimination fuels human and economic disaster if not checked as a matter of urgency," he added.
Mr. Carrington said there is an accumulative 500,000 infected persons living with the disease, including the 53,000 persons who acquired the virus in 2004.
He said an estimated 40,000 persons have died from the disease, with more than 20,000 children expected to be left orphaned by the year 2020, as a result of the disease.
The Secretary-General said Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) represent a significant part of the labour force between the ages 15-44, considered the most productive years.
"These trends raise alarm bells for us in the Caribbean," said Mr. Carrington. "All the indications are that we are locked in a deadly stranglehold by an epidemic that is likely to annihilate a sizeable portion of our workforce if something radical does not happen to reverse the trends.'
Mr. Carrington said HIV/AIDS is a complex, developmental issue that is not confined to any one sector, organization, agency or individual and that no single ministry, organization or agency can successfully combat the disease or the stigma and discrimination attached to it.
He said those countries in the region that have achieved successes in the war on AIDS ‐ The Bahamas is recognized as having one of the greatest success stories in the Americas with regards to treatment and education ‐ have achieved those results because of multi-dimensional approaches to the epidemic that combine the human and financial resources of government, the private sector, the public service, religious organizations and civil society groups.
"Do we truly believe in the multi-dimensional approach or are we so caught up in defending our programmes and positions that we fail to be honest with ourselves and more importantly to those who really matter, people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS?" Mr. Carrington asked.
"We are dealing with real people, humanity, and a condition that is primarily spread by the most intimate of acts. People will deal with this differently and we must be prepared, in keeping with our respective callings and mandates, to offer assistance and more important, to offer leadership as individuals and as organizations.
"We must not be consumed with fighting over turf, status, ideologies and philosophies because while we are so consumed, people are dying, children are suffering, our economies are collapsing," the Secretary-General added.
Meanwhile, UNAIDS Executive Director, Dr. Peter Piot, said there are signs that stronger prevention efforts in The Bahamas and Barbados since the late 1990s, could be nudging HIV-infection levels lower.
Dr. Piot warned, however, that the lack of good-quality HIV-surveillance data in most Caribbean countries is hampering the ability to design and run potentially effective prevention programmes and will almost certainly undermine efforts to expand access to antiretroviral treatment.
"As the region with the second-highest rate of HIV-prevalence in the world, AIDS is already having a major economic impact in the Caribbean," said Dr. Piot. "But AIDS is more than just a disease, it's a threat to human security and development (that is) unique in human history.
Dr. Piot said social, not just technical challenges will need to be addressed if the countries of this region are to bring their epidemics under control.
"The stigma and discrimination drive AIDS underground. The increased vulnerability to HIV can hamper our efforts to reverse its spread. If children with HIV are turned away from school as happened in Guyana last month and if men who have sex with men are killed as happened in Jamaica, then fear rather than fight will reign and whole communities will suffer," he said.
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