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The Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) is a keen advocate of the ABC sex
education programme. They refer to the Ugandan experience as
evidence that ABC is successful in reducing the incidence of AIDS.
The CMF believes that A (abstinence), B (be faithful), C (condoms) is
based on biblical truth and is campaigning for ABC to be adopted as
the Christian response to sex education in the UK. I disagree, in that ABC is based entirely on pragmatism and
has nothing to do with biblical teaching.
Herewith is a letter published in Evangelicals Now August 2005.
Evangelicals Now, EN Letters, 14 Silverleigh
Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 6DU
Dear Editor
ABC and the Christian Medical Fellowship
The Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF)
has become an enthusiastic supporter of the ABC sex education programme
(abstinence, be faithful, condoms). An article an article in
Evangelicals Now (Ignore abstinence education at our peril, July
2005) quotes evidence from the Ugandan experience in an attempt to show
that the ABC programme has been effective in reducing the incidence of
AIDS. The article concludes: ‘What the ABC success surely teaches is
that a range of options is now needed in the UK to help teenagers to
defer sexual intercourse until they are in a secure, committed and
loving relationship; to encourage faithfulness and partner reduction
among the sexual active – and to promote condom use among those who
engage in higher risk sex.’
Most Christians in Uganda, however, see
things differently. Face to face with the realities of AIDS, most are
vehemently opposed to promoting condoms as a part of the solution.
Rather than support the ABC programme, the growing Church has been
actively involved in teaching morals and chastity, with support from the
Government. Indeed, President Yoweri Museveni has stated publicly that
condoms are a recipe for disaster in Uganda (New Vision 11 October
2004).
Most young Ugandans know that the
condom is not the answer, and want something better. Last year I had the
privilege of taking part in a teaching programme aimed at school
children and university students, working with a group of Ugandan
Christians. We taught young people the biblical meaning of sexual
conduct and marriage, and the virtues of modesty, self-control, men
treating women with honour and respect (chivalry), chastity and
fidelity. The response was truly amazing as the message of the Bible was
received with great joy. At a meeting in Makerere University around
4,000 students applauded spontaneously when the Christian virtues of
modesty and chivalry (men protecting women and treating them with honour
and respect) were explained. A booklet, Sexual conduct: biblical
advice for young people, is now being widely distributed in Uganda,
and many young people are signing purity cards, making a vow to remain
pure until marriage.
It is disappointing that the Christian
Medical Fellowship is using its authority to promote a message that is
devoid of biblical morality. Are they aware that the infamous Marie
Stopes Clinics in Uganda are the most ardent supporters of the ABC
programme, as it is entirely consistent with their so-called ‘safer sex’
approach? The amoral ABC programme is not the answer. The only sure
guide for sexual conduct in both the UK and Uganda is God’s word.
Yours sincerely
ES Williams |