Brazil says no to moral fascism

We all know that George Bush listens to nobody. But when one of the poorest countries in the world, with one of the worst HIV/AIDS problems tells you to get lost and keep your money maybe he should listen?

Brazil yesterday became the first country to take a public stand against the Bush administration's massive Aids programme which is seen by many as seeking increasingly to press its anti-abortion, pro-abstinence sexual agenda on poorer countries.
Campaigners applauded Brazil's rejection of $40m for its Aids programmes because it refuses to agree to a declaration condemning prostitution.
The government and many Aids organisations believe such a declaration would be a serious barrier to helping sex workers protect themselves and their clients from infection.

Sadly, this division of people with HIV/AIDS into two groups, good victims and bad victims, is nothing new. It is always been easier to raise money for haemophiliacs with the disease than for say an intravenous drug user.

Tying moral conditions onto financial aid is the worst sort of religious hypocrisy. I've ranted countless times on this blog against the moral fascism exercised by 'christians'. Before I abandoned religion I did at least read the New Testament and the message I got from it was one of universal compassion. We are all brothers and sisters and only by treating everyone with equal respect can you be said to lead a good life. Even Jesus recognised that religion causes bigotry. Don’t a priest and a temple official pass the beaten man on the road from Jerusalem, ignoring his cries before the good Samaritan offers help? This message is now lost as fundamental Christians increasingly set agendas which are fuelled by hatred and intolerance. I very much doubt if Pedro Chequer’s decision to reject US aid will change anything. But his moral strength should be applauded.