Will Christians help you when you become ill?

written by Stephan Joubert

In a fascinating article: Does Religion Influence Epidemics? Elizabeth Pennisi refers to a paper read at at conference in Europe on 22 August by the American evolutionary biologist David Hughes. He and his colleagues claim that some of the major world religions emerged at the same time as widespread diseases, and that the two helped shape each other. These religions (Islam, Christianity, etc) had a different take on measles, smallpox, polio, etc. Instead of fleeing from the disease, their followers were often motivated to stay and take care of the sick. Hughes also points out that this value of caring for the sick amongst Christians is now shaping the general landscape of Malawi. His colleague, Jenny Trinitapoli, surveyed three thousand people in a thousand villages across Malawi and asked questions regarding religion and AIDS. She found that in this country, where one in fourteen adults die of AIDS, about 30% of Christians regularly visit the sick, while only 7% of the Muslims do the same. This led to a large growth in churches in Malawi. People know that Christians will not stigmatize them and also take care of them.

The good news is that the ABC of the gospel is put into daily practice by many Christians right across the globe. This usually happens under the radar screen of the media. We all know that it has become too easy to find fault with the church. Or to be angry at religion. Or to name, blame and shame certain leaders in the church. But, somewhere out there in the real world many believers are doing it right. They are taking care of the needy, the sick, the old and the lost. Join them, won’t you?!