There is also a time for declaring God's design for living. Faced with a world disaster resulting largely from ignoring God's ways it would be unimaginable for the church to be silent. It is a fact that if everyone kept to just one partner for life, and ceased injecting drugs, HIV would be wiped off the face of this earth in less than 30 years. It is also true that continuing without restraint over the same period could cost over 200 million people's lives. Condoms are no answer other than reducing the risk in the short term.
Pregnancy rates are notoriously high with condoms.
These days when so many have been at risk through past behaviour, the only way for partners to be sure of safety may be for testing to be made widely available. In some countries up to a third of women with AIDS have been celibate and then monogamous, yet are now dying because their husbands were infected through other relationships. This is a controversial and sensitive area. Anyone considering a test needs expert advice first. Compassionate care for the ill and dying, and saving lives through prevention go hand in hand.