Christian Leaders Applaud AIDS Plan

In a letter to President Bush, more than a dozen conservative Christian leaders praised the president's global HIV/AIDS initiative and proposed principles for future policy addressing the disease. "We commend you for proposing the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief," the leaders said in the letter. "We believe that your principles as outlined are the right approach to stem the tide of this devastating epidemic."

The letter outlined the group's own principles for global AIDS legislation that reflect their stands for abstinence and against abortion. The "ABC" model -- abstinence first, being faithful to a monogamous partner and then condoms -- used with success in Uganda, was the primary prevention technique stressed by the leaders. They also called for separating AIDS treatment efforts from abortion programs. "The moral integrity and effectiveness of U.S. global AIDS funding must not be threatened by being permitted to be used to subsidize organizations that perform and promote abortion," the leaders wrote.

Those who signed the letter highlighted the need for the inclusion of faith-based organizations as a critical aspect of prevention and treatment programs, preservation of families and protection of victims of sexual violence. "Prioritizing treatment for pregnant women and families with children will help alleviate the ever-growing epidemic of AIDS orphans who have lost their parents to HIV and maintain social order," they wrote.

Signatories included Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship chair; Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family; Sandy Rios, president of Concerned Women for America; Ken Connor, president of Family Research Council; the Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president of governmental affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals; Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse; and Roberta Combs, president of Christian Coalition of America.

Back to other CDC news for April 16, 2003

Previous Updates | Search the CDC archive