[A week or so ago, I decided to started searching the Ragtag Daily Prompt word in my draft folder so I could relook at some of the things written years ago. Today’s word was FOUNTAIN — and finally a post came up — this one. This post was originally written in May 2019 and has been sitting in my draft folder ever since. I don’t know what prompted the post back then.]
Back in the 1980’s, when the AIDS crisis was sweeping across the country, some churches took up the cause by proclaiming it was God’s judgment. I know because I heard it — not whispered, but spoke aloud — “This is God’s JUDGMENT.” Homosexuals were considered a particularly nasty subset that fell under the heading of SINNER.
And no, I did not attend Westboro Baptist.
My brother, Stewart, responded differently. He was a pastor at the time and he began inviting people with AIDS and their caregivers to church suppers.
This may not sound like much today, but it was big. There was so much misinformation and fear around the issue. People were afraid of drinking from the same water fountain as someone with AIDS. Or being anywhere near them. Like the virus might leap from them to person to person like a strange deadly flea or bedbug.
But my brother invited them in — and I was shocked. “Aren’t you afraid?” I asked.
He answered my question with a question. “Don’t you think Jesus would have spent time with them? I think they are exactly the people He would have sat down to dinner with.”
I knew he was right.
Mine is a slow and heavy ship that takes years to change its course. It may have taken decades for me to totally rethink the issue, but I think Stewart moved the rudder just a little with that conversation.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
Your brother was right, we should not judge. I’m glad to hear you are looking through your drafts for our prompt words. That’s such a great idea!
I love this for two reasons …Your brother was so right and a good Christian.
You listened to him …you were afraid but you listened. You learned and admitted to learning.
“Judge not, lest ye be judged”
I’m sure your brother is familiar with that passage. Excellent post, Sally. ✌🏼
Hats off to your brother.
I remember those days… I guess I was in a different place as I didn’t have any fear of AIDS patients or AIDS in general…
I think my fears had to do with what I was hearing from the pulpit. I look back on it all now and shake my head — but it speaks to how easily we can be deceived when someone, some source that we trust says something. When they say it often and vehemently, it becomes “gospel.” Sad but true.
We often look to leaders (in church, government, and medicine) for guidance and reassurance. It is sad when they mislead us. It might seem we are easily deceived but we are just trusting those we respect…