Editor,

I was intrigued by comments in your previous editorial, in which you said that Christians have a ‘sure and solid foundation’ upon which to base all moral decisions. You implied that this set them apart from today’s inconsistent postmodern society.

Two recent stories in the British news have been the Jodie and Mary Siamese twins, and the HIV positive Child X, who recently returned from Australia with her father.

In both cases the British courts have acted consistently in refuting the parents’ rights to refuse treatment for their children. However, it has been the Christian response that has been inconsistent. In the first case, Christians called for the parents’ right to autonomy over their children’s treatment to be respected. In the second case, Christians have largely agreed with the courts’ decision to remove Child X from her father, in order for her to receive treatment.

Where, may I ask, is the ‘sure and solid foundation’?

Preetesh Kahn, received by email

Editorial Comment

The Bible maintains that all humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27, 9:6) and are therefore worthy of the utmost respect. It also affirms that God’s people have a duty to speak up for and defend the weak and defenceless (Proverbs 31:8,9). It is this that was the primary concern here – the welfare of Child X in needing effective treatment for her HIV, and the welfare of Jodie and Mary (primarily Mary, the twin who was killed by the separation procedure). In the case of Child X, the child’s welfare was paramount over the father’s wish to follow his own theories of treatment.

Editor,I am a doctor in Southern Ethiopia, working at the Yirgalem hospital. I completed my first degree in Gondar College of Medical Sciences, Northern Ethiopia, where I used to enjoy reading Nucleus.

In the region where I work there is a church run non-governmental organisation called ‘Medanacts’. One section of this organisation, for which I am currently employed, is concerned with church based HIV/AIDS intervention.

Ethiopia is the third leading country in Africa to be affected by HIV/AIDS. Sadly, church members are becoming increasingly affected by this disease. It is our vision, to begin free and open discussion on the real issues of sex and HIV. We have however been challenged fiercely, by various groups, for attempting to do this.

I would ask all your readers, around the world, to pray for our work here in Ethiopia. Pray that peoples eyes may be opened and hearts changed.

Dr Zerihun Alemu, Ethiopia