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Transform Your Worldview
This action can only go so far, before we are quickly overwhelmed by countless messages of consumerism and hopelessness. It can be difficult to stay connected to problems far away--especially when it is hard to see the difference you are making and there are so many more comfortable things to spend your time and resources on. That is why we believe that action is most sustainable and meaningful when it comes from a heart and worldview transformed by God’s desires for the world. Such action must be holistic, not isolated to small acts of charity but practiced through a transformed commitment in all areas of our lives.
Acting on AIDS is focused on transformation through the following four expressions: social, spiritual, economic, and political. Below are some ways in which these areas might be transformed, and some initial steps of faith that you might take now in order to solidify and sustain a lifelong commitment to the poor and oppressed.
Social
We are the most marketed generation ever. We are inundated daily with the latest celebrity gossip, fashion tips, and sports news. With such a consumer-driven culture, it is easy to feel disconnected from the realities of global poverty and extreme hunger that millions face every day. But we can make a difference. We live in community, and through community, we can make small steps to transform our culture and its priorities. How do we begin to make faith and justice an integrated part of our day-to-day conversations and decisions?We believe that one small step is starting an Acting on AIDS chapter or team within your college or campus ministry – an intentional community of Christians who are exploring their response to global AIDS and poverty together. For more information on starting Acting on AIDS on your campus, visit our “Acting on AIDS on Your Campus” page.
Spiritual
Many of us have been exposed to a theology that is all about self. Our thoughts on God are often limited to how we perceive him responding to our individual wants and needs: How is God blessing me? How is God punishing me? It can be difficult to see God outside of ourselves – but true faith in God cannot be on our terms. Bono has said that his life was changed when someone told him: “Stop asking God to bless what you're doing. Get involved in what God is doing -- because it's already blessed.” The Bible has more than 2,000 references to the poor. How do we begin pursuing a faith that understands and shares God’s heart for the poor and oppressed?We believe that one small step is by committing to pray daily for children and communities affected by global AIDS and extreme poverty. Through our prayers, we can seek out how God might have us respond to the injustices of this world. In community, an activity such as the Broken Bread poverty meal might help guide us in how we can make issues of justice a primary part of our faith in God.
Economic
We live in the richest, most powerful nation in the world – yet nearly 3 billion people live on less than $2 per day. In the United States, we are given resources and opportunities that are unimaginable for most of the world. It is our responsibility to steward the blessings appropriately. Though it doesn’t always seem like it, we do have choices on how we will invest every hour of our day and every dollar in our wallet. But caring about the poor is not just about giving to the poor – but how our lives and actions contribute to the systematic injustices of this world. Each decision we make has an impact: whether it be the purchases we make, the resources we consume, or the jobs we choose. How can we begin to consider the affects our economic decisions have in the world around us?We believe that one small step is by developing a lifestyle of giving financially to those suffering from extreme poverty. This will be transformative when we see how our charity is a great blessing to our own life and growth. One way your campus can give is by participating in the Want Less/Give more campaign, starting on World AIDS Day. More inforamation will be coming in October.
Political
Young people are often defined by one of two extremes: either their aggressive push for social change or their indifference to the political system. AIDS is the biggest challenge facing this generation. It is what the Civil Rights struggle was to our parents, or World War II to our grandparents. Most government leaders will proclaim concern for global AIDS; just as they would towards extreme poverty, hunger, and systematic injustices. Yet it is these issues that have turned the HIV virus into a global pandemic among the world’s poor. Our response to global AIDS, hunger, and extreme poverty is often focused on charity; but focused on charity alone, we will still have communities that are dependent on the rest of the world for their very survival. Young people have been the driving force for most social changes. If we desire to live in a more fair and just world, we must advocate on behalf of those whose voices have not been heard. How do we begin a political movement that makes global AIDS and extreme poverty a priority among our elected leaders?We believe that one small step is by advocating for key legislation that helps children and communities affected by the global AIDS pandemic. By advocating within our communities and before our government, we can hold elected leaders accountable and encourage them to create policies that will provide greater justice and equality in our world. One way your can begin this movement on your campus is by participating in the 6000 Challenge this fall. This campaign is asking each campus to raise $6,000 and collect 6,000 advocacy signatures for those affected by global AIDS. Through this campaign, we are asking Congress to reauthorize the global AIDS bill with increased funding for global AIDS relief and a necessary 10% earmark to care for orphans and vulnerable children. Campuses that succeed in this challenge will be asked to send at least one delegate to help us deliver advocacy petitions personally during a national lobby day in Washington, D.C., this spring.