World AIDS Day 2011: Prayers and Poems of Hope

Each year on December 1, people all over the world celebrate World AIDS Day. Governments, religious organizations, businesses, non-profit agencies, families, and individuals use this occasion to remember the more than 25 million lives which have been lost to this disease and to focus awareness on the many millions more who are currently affected or at risk.

Huff Post Religion has gathered a collection of prayers and writings from diverse traditions which look to offer a feeling of hope on this important day of reflection.

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[dbmetzger]

02:12 PM on 12/01/2010

Bono Turns Sydney Red for World AIDS Day
To mark World AIDS Day, U2 frontman Bono, has helped Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard turn Sydney red. http://www.newslook.com/videos/270718-bono-turns-sydney-red-for-world-aids-day?autoplay=true

[jettymichael]

09:20 AM on 12/01/2010

This should be the MAIN such a tragedy triumphs tax increase for the rich in magnanimity.

[Cori Olson]

08:18 AM on 12/01/2010

I would only like to suggest, that today we OBSERVE World AIDS Day rather than celebrate it. We remember and mourn for those whose lives have been lost. I remember especially my friend Byron.

If we celebrate, we celebrate the work of those who have dedicated their lives to eradicate the illness and the relief of suffering. Today in the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, we will celebrate the ministry of the Rev. Canon Winnie Bolle who visited and comforted the suffering and the sick when many considered it too dangerous to do.

[giverny98]

08:00 AM on 12/01/2010

Remembering my dear friend Mark today. He died way too young, his bright light extinguished by ill health and bigotry.

[BoyInBOYCOTT]

04:08 AM on 12/01/2010

LOVE ALONE...18 elegies for Roger
by Paul Monette
 

[kadene]

10:50 PM on 11/30/2010

What will the prayers say? What are we really asking God to do? Hasn't he done enough damage already?

[triplettam]

11:00 PM on 11/30/2010

What will they say? There were 15 of them posted. And not all of them Christian or Judaic or even typically religious. Did you just fly by them so could post your snarky comment and leave? Good deal.

[TylerShemwell]

10:20 PM on 11/30/2010

There always hope. "If god is with me than who can be against me?" I can do anything. G-esteem

G-esteem-A tenacious confidence;mental toughness.

Tyler Shemwell,the g-esteem guy,El'Agance Nile's dad finally...

http://elagancedaddyshemwell.blogspot.com/

[logicanada]

09:48 PM on 11/30/2010

#16

Dear God.
Why did you invent Aids.
Amen

[triplettam]

10:56 PM on 11/30/2010

Gee. I thought it was the CIA.

[peter ricci]

09:27 PM on 11/30/2010

Maybe a thought for the millions who have died because the catholic church preaches in Africa that using a condom is a worse sin than dying of aids.

[Carroll27]

10:51 PM on 11/30/2010

Sigh. And of course, someone brings up the Catholic Church. If people actually listened to what the Church taught, there would be no AIDS pandemic .... at least not one spread through sexual contact.

[peter ricci]

11:42 PM on 11/30/2010

Hi Carroll, yes the churches teachings and statements help a great deal, here are some nice little ones for you to ponder.

Head of the Catholic Church in Mozambique that some "European made condoms are being deliberately tainted with Hiv/Aids to kill Africans"

Pope says "Condoms can make AIDS worse"

Mother Theresa on AIDS: "It is a just retribution for improper sexual misconduct"

Such wonderful teachings of your church, so tolerant, so heartfelt, always looking out for the poor and destitute.

Here endeth the lesson :)

[giverny98]

08:02 AM on 12/01/2010

I'm a Catholic and I couldn't disagree with you more. The Church was way behind in recognizing this as a disease and not a moral failing. They could have taken a leadership position and didn't, choosing instead to demonize AIDS sufferers as if they weren't children of God.