Abstract

Who do people living with HIV/AIDS say Jesus Christ is in their context of stigmatisation? This is an ancient Christological question that helps us understand and deal with this issue in a new way. This article presents the views of people living with HIV/AIDS about the role of Jesus to them in a context of HIV/AIDS-related stigmatisation. Through their reading of biblical texts from the Gospel according to John, people living with HIV/AIDS argue that Jesus Christ is a compassionate companion who not only sympathises with them, but also cares for them and seeks to improve their situation. In this instance, the article critiques the “cult of normalcy” ever embraced by the church that excludes those it considers to be abnormal and includes those it considers to be normal. This “cult of normalcy” is contrary to the compassionate way in which Jesus treated those who were suffering.

Highlights

  • If there is a sin at all, one aspect thereof must be that of disregarding human value and dignity

  • Who did the group of people living with HIV/AIDS say Jesus Christ is in their context of stigmatisation? The question of “who Jesus is” is about the image of Jesus Christ in the lives of the group members

  • They present a picture of Jesus embraced by the “cults of normalcy”, who has selfsufficient power, and who hardly needs someone. This Christ can hardly be meaningful and liberating from the point of view of the marginalised and stigmatised people who present Jesus as needy, vulnerable, and not self-sufficient. This means that, in their reading of texts and reflections upon their interaction with their churches, the group of people living with HIV/AIDS portrayed Jesus Christ as a compassionate companion

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

If there is a sin at all, one aspect thereof must be that of disregarding human value and dignity. I examine the issue of sin as enshrined in the community’s “cult of normalcy” and the way in which stigmatised groups understand. What is at stake in this instance is the image of Jesus Christ as portrayed by the majority of Protestant churches in contrast to the image of Jesus Christ from the perspective of people living with HIV/AIDS, the image that emerges as a result of their own reading of Scriptural texts In this instance, I listen to the voices of people living with HIV/AIDS speaking from the periphery, producing their image of Jesus Christ, which prompts us to rethink the symbols which we as Christians use in our relationship with God, with our neighbour, and the kind of God we have to learn to worship

The “cult of normalcy” and its parameters
The kind of God that Christians have to learn to worship
Rationale for hearing the voices of stigmatised people
CONCLUSION

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