Civic/sanctuary orientation and HIV involvement among Chinese immigrant religious institutions in New York City

Abstract

Using data from a study of Chinese immigrant religious institutions in New York City (primarily Christian and Buddhist), this paper explores why some religious institutions are more inclined than others to be involved in HIV-related work. Although numerous factors are likely to play a role, we focus on organisations’ differing views on social engagement as an explanatory factor. We hypothesise that religious institutions that value social engagement (‘civic’) will be more inclined towards HIV/AIDS involvement than those that are more inward focused (‘sanctuary’). Given that many religious institutions are fundamentally defined by their stance on the appropriateness of social engagement, better understanding of this key characteristic may help to inform community and government organisations aiming to increase religious institutions’ involvement in HIV/AIDS-related work. Our analysis suggests that some organisations may be less interested in taking on the challenges of working in HIV/AIDS because of their general view that churches or temples should not be socially engaged. On the other hand, religious institutions that have concerns about social acceptability, fear of infection or lack of capacity – but generally embrace social engagement – may be more open to partnering on HIV/AIDS-related work because of their overriding community service orientation.

Keywords:

• religious institutions
• immigrants
• Asians
• HIV
• social engagement

Acknowledgements

Research for this article was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Grant No. R01HD054303). The authors received valuable feedback when a version of this work was presented at the Conference on HIV/AIDS and Religious Cultures and Institutions, held at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 12 July 2010. The authors would like to thank the Editor and anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. We are also grateful to leaders and members of participating religious institutions who generously shared their time and stories.

Notes

1. The role of the church as an ‘organizational and psychological resource for individual and collective political action’ in African-American communities is also explored by Harris (1994). Morris’ (1984) seminal work on the civil rights movement also documents the key role of Black churches in enabling the movement.