Empowering Latino Church Leaders to Deal with the HIV-AIDS Crisis: A Strengths-Oriented Service Model |
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Authors: | Johnny Ramírez-Johnson Héctor Luis Díaz Janis B. Feldman Johnny Ramírez-Jorge |
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Affiliation: | 1. School of Religion, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA 3. Department of Social Work, The University of Texas–Pan American, 1201 West University Dr, Edinburg, TX, 78539, USA 2. The University of Texas–Pan American, 1201 West University Dr, Edinburg, TX, 78539, USA 4. University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Abstract: | Ideology and attitudes of Latino church leaders in the United States toward HIV/AIDS are explored. A qualitative approach utilized with emergent categories including: a desire within the Latino church for greater acceptance of HIV/AIDS sufferers, the supposed contaminating influence of HIV/AIDS individuals over other church members, and the feelings of helplessness many church members experience in relation to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Understanding ideological resistance that prevents engagement is here identified and a strategy of empowerment of church leaders is recommended to overcome it including: adopting a strengths-oriented service model that focuses on resources religious denominations already have, as opposed to a financially driven, medically oriented service model that highlights what churches often do not have; church leaders educating health care agencies on how to use religious beliefs to motivate church members to work on behalf of HIV/AIDS patients; the power of doctrinal ideology in affecting church and civil society’s response to HIV/AIDS. |
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