Seattle Times Examines Increasing Involvement of Local Black Churches in Fight Against HIV/AIDS

The Seattle Times on Monday examined how many black churches in the Seattle area are becoming increasingly involved in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness in the black community. Churches initially approached HIV/AIDS "with a flawed theology" that the disease was retribution for sin, according to the Rev. Carey Anderson of the First AME Church. He added that churches now should exhibit compassion, and pastors should educate church members about the disease. More than 25 area pastors have signed an agreement pledging to address the disease in their churches -- an important step in the black community, where HIV/AIDS has "remained a secret disease," according to the Rev. Mary Diggs-Hobson, the Times reports. "The significant piece of all this is that we have pastors who are now talking about this as part of their Sunday morning sermons," Diggs-Hobson said (Heffter, Seattle Times, 3/20).