If you could, it might improve your chances of living a longer and healthier life, according to theologian Dr. Brian Childs. But when the disease is contracted through preventable actions, that pain can be compounded by guilt and anger - which in turn impedes the patient's health. He hypothesizes that people with AIDS who practice forgiveness will show stronger T-cell counts and lower stress levels, and be able to live longer, more fulfilling lives. Childs' team will compare the physiological and psychological health of the 80 patients in the study monthly over a two-year period, and once again 18 months after the sessions end.
Forgiveness can be a vital tool for healing by eliminating blame from the equation.
Dr. Brian Childs is a theologian with a degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. His dissertation focused on forgiveness among preschool children. Dr. Childs is currently the Director of Ethics and Organizational Development for the Shore Health System in Easton, Maryland. Dr. Childs is a former Chair of the National Commission for Biomedical Ethics and former fellow of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute on Humanities and Medicine. The project is awaiting the next round of funding from the Campaign for Forgiveness Research, and has administrative support from AIDS Atlanta and the Georgia Baptist Health Foundation.