Yet somehow, we have to redouble our efforts to remind ourselves and others that it is not yet time when we can stop being diligent. As communities of faith, it is our job to once again reinforce the message that people need to engage in safe sexual activities. We have to be honest and truthful. And we cannot rely on an abstinence message alone, because it doesn't work, and too many of our people will not abstain just because we say so. I will be more than happy to talk about morality and relationships to people who survive the epidemic.
Jewish law mandates that saving lives is more important than anything else.
I'm sure we all share that value. Talk about the new medications is making AIDS prevention education much more difficult. We were failing miserably at getting prevention education to actually change sexual behaviors. The only flaw with that logic is that there still is no cure, and no guarantee that a new infection in 1997 won't be full blown, incurable, AIDS in 2004. There is no message of welcoming calling out to us from the ground.