The Aids Epidemic: A Citi-

zens' Guide to Protecting Your

Family and Community From
the Gay Plague, by Lawrence E.
112 PP including appendices
and bibliography. Quality softcover, per-
fect bound. Available through TM
Counsel of Chalcedon. Reviewed by the
publisher.
U.S. Surgeon General Everett Koop
recently released a blunt. 36-page report
011 AIDS, the deadly epidemic that has
already killed more than 28,000 victims
and infected an estimated 2 to 3 million
symptomless carriers in the -U;S. The
Surgeon General's report has already
aroused considerable controversy by 're-
commending intensive AIDS education
in the public schools, beginning "atthe
lowest grade possible."
Overall, Koop's repOrt follows the
public health establishment line that
education and counseling are the best
defense against the spread of AIDS.
That proposition is now coming under
heavy attack by a number of researchers
and critics who favor stronger measures
to protect the public health.
One of Koop's critics is Lawrence E.
Lockman, a Maine-based free lance
writer and investigative jourilalist, and
the author of The Aids Epidemic:
A Citizens' Guide to Protecting
Your Family and Community
From the Gay Plague. Lockman .
pulls rto punches in his call for tradi-
tional , public health measures to meet
the AIDS threat.
Lockman justifies the provocative
subtitle by pointing to medical evidence
that the male homosexual population is
now virtually saturated with the AIDS
virus. A number of scientific studies of
homosexual behavior are cited by the
author in support of his contention that
gay men for the most part continue to
engage in promiscuous, "biologically
insane" sex practices that guarantee an
accelerating rate of infection. Special
attention is focussed on what Lockman
calls the ''homosexual deathstyle", in-
cluding explicit descriptions of the
most common sex practices of gay
men. Readers are warned that this
section of the book may be offensive to
some, and is definitely unsuitable for
children.
The author preSents a damning indict-
ment of the "AIDS Lobby", a group he
identifies as a powerful coalition of
pOliticians, health officials, and hdmo-
seJtual activists who see the AIDS
epidemic as primarily a civil rights pro-
blem rather than a public health emer-
gency. Art entire chapter is devoted to
the AIDS lobby and itS pervasive in-
fluence on public policy.
The Aids Epidemic: A Citi-
zens' Guide . _. summarizes, iri lay-
man's terms, the present state of
medical knowledge of the killer disease.
Lockman finds cause for alarm in many
of his research findings, gleaned from
the medical journals and from news
reports in the major media. The author
cites numerous medicld and scientific
experts who take issue with the
tion-is-our-only-hope" pronouncements
of the public health establishment For
example, Dr. Mark Whiteside's research
in southern Florida strongly suggests
that AIDSis being transmitted by mos-
quitoes; And Harvard's Dr. Myron
Essex warns that the nation's blood
supply is still contaminated. Dr. Essex
estimates that the EUSA blOOd test
now in use iS stopping no more than
75% to 80% of ' AIDS-contaminated
blood donations from erttering blood
banks.
Equally disturbing is Dr. Robert
Gallo's statement that many cases of
AIDS go unreported because of the
narrow scope of the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) "surVeillance definition"
of AIDS, According to Dr. Gallo: "This
The ' Counsel of Chalcedon, March, 1987 --------.-..1
virus causes much more than AIDS,
and in<lst of it goes unreported;.; . Most
important is that this Virus is causing
primary . brain disease with no other
abnormalities detected in some people.
This is likely to be the future, most
serious problem with this virus ..... "
Public health officials have repeated
ly assured the public that AIDS cannot
be spread by "casual contact." Yet, as
Lockman points out, about 6% of all
AIDS cases in the U.S. are classified as
N.I.R. (no identifiable risk). These vic-
tims belong to none of the known risk
groups (male homosexuals, drug ad-
dicts, transfusion recipients). Evidence
of insect trartsmission continues . to
mount. while a 1985 study of house-
hold members residing with AIDS vic-
tims found immune system distur-
bances in one third of the uninfected
household memberS. Scientists have
also proven that the AIDS virus is
hardy enough to survive up to ten days
at room temperature in a dry environ-
ment.
Despite these alarming develop-
ments, the ''AIDS lobby" continues to
push for an opendoor policy allowing
AIDS victirns in public school class-
rooms. Lockman devotes an entire chap-
ter to this controversy, drawing on his
own experience as a successful oppo-
nent of the open-door policy in his own
local. school district. An extensive
pitdix includes the text of the CDC-
approved guidelines for dealing with
AIDS in the classroom.
Lockman's book approaches its ' sub-
ject matter on two levels one philo-
sophical, the other practical. On the
philosophical level, the authot identi-
fies the "consenting adults" doctrine as
the foundation upon which the soldiers
of the. Sexual Revolution have waged
war against Christian sexual ,morality.
The notion that "anything goes" be-
tween consenting adults is an article of
faith to the sexual liberation movement
that has. spawned AIDS and an epiderillc
of . the more ''traditional" venereal di-
seases, according to Lockman's analy-
sis.
On a practical level, the author lists a
number of policy reconunendatioj}s .
aimed at combating the spread of AIDS; ;
Among them are re-criminalizing
sodomy, shutting down the homosexual
subculture of bath houses and cruiser
bars, severe criminal penalties for homo-
sexuals who donate blood, mandatory
antibody testing for health care workers
and food handlers, contact tracing of
infected individuals, and quarantine for
irresponsible AIDS carriers. Lockman
makes a strong case for enforcing the
public health statutes already on the
books. Also included are sample letters
concerning sex education curricula in
the schools, and right-to-know requests
directed to public health officers.
For the ordinary citizen who suspects
that the AIDS threat is much more
serious than the "experts" are willing to
admit, Lockman's book will prove to
be a valuable piece of work. The book
succeeds on both the theoretical and
practical levels as a layman's introduc-
tion to a difficult and divisive public
p o l i ~ debate.
Much of what you will learn in this
book is not told in the public media.
Lockman's contribution is sure to spark
further discussion. 0
In this issue of The Counsel,
Joe Morecraft says, referring
to AIDS, "Leam all you can
about this epidemic and take
precautions to protect yourself
and your family."
After that statement Wi:IS made, this
book appeared. You will want to
read this one, for your own good.
The Aids Epidemic
A CITIZENS' GUIDE TO
PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY
AND COMMUNITY FROM
THE GAY PLAGUE
By Lawrence E. Lockman
Available FREE
for a $15.00 donation to
The Counsel of Chalcedon
3032 Hi:lcienda Ct.
Marietta, GA 30066
Poverty and Wealth, by Ronald
Nash. Reviewed by Robert Shapiro, a
member of Chalcedon Presbyterian
Church who is employed by the mM
corporation.
There are not many well written
books defending free market economics
from a biblical perspective. David
Chilton's Productive Christians in an
Age of Guilt Manipulators, E. L.
Hebdon Taylor's Economics, Money
and Banking, and Franky Schaeffer's Is
Capitalism Christian? are three that
come to mind. Ronald Nash's Poverty
and Wealth is a welcomed addition to
the list and should be warmly received,
though there are shortcomings in the
book.
The book can be divided into three
parts: Chapters 1-7 explain in a non-
technical, readable fashion the basics
and working of the free market. Chap-
ters 8-11 are a free market polemic
against the economic bankruptcy of
Marxism, Socialism, and State interven-
tionism. Chapters 12-17 are a free mar-
ket analysis of the economics of the
Great Depression, Social Security, and
poverty in both America and the Third
World.
Underlying the entire work is the
author's reasoned reply to those in the
liberation theology/Christian socialism
camp, characterized by Jose Miguez-
Bonino and Andrew Kirk who have
recently been published by "Christian"
publishers like Eerdmans and Inter-
Varsity Press.
The first seven chapters provide the
ABC's of capitalism. Critical to the
understanding of the free enterprise
system is the proposition that an eco-
nomic exchange benefits both parties in
the transaction. There are no losers in
an uncoerced, lawful transaction.
Money, economic value, scarcity,
supply and demand, etc. are skillfully
and readably explained.
The polemical section analyzes other
economic alternatives to capitalism and
finds them economically deficient. Here
is one of my major criticisms of Nash's
treatment: he limits his criticisms of
these competing systems to their eco-
nomic adequacy. The question he asks
of these systems is, "Are they good
economic systems?" not "Do they con-
form to the moral requirements of the
Bible?" Nash seems to be more con-
cerned about whether these systems
distribute goods efficiently, do they
respond to changes in consumer tastes,
and do they feedback information to the
producer of goods. Nash states ever so
bluntly "there is no such thing as re-
vealed economics. The distinction that
counts is between good and bad eco-
nomics." (p. 12) Nash tenns any effort
to derive an economic system from the
Bible as "muddleheaded." Nash brings
to the economics debate a sack full of
value judgments about what constitutes
"good" economics and yet that is
precisely the bone of contention. Is
theft by inflation any better or worse
than theft by redistribution or by
outright fraud? You must presuppose
theft to be wrong to begin the argument
which system is the fairest, most
equitable economic system. But it is
not the economist who says that theft
is wrong (too value-laden for an eco-
nomist) but rather the Scriptures, God
Himself.
Does the Bible detail an economic
system in a systematic way. No, the
Bible isn't an economic text. Does it
encourage practices and direct God's
people by precepts that have enormous
economic consequences? Who can
describe the economic implications of
the command, "Let him who steals
steal no longer, but rather let him labor
with his own hands what is good in
order that he may have something to
share with him who has need." (Eph.
4:28) And yet, Nash never criticizes
these systems as contrary to the spirit
and letter of God's Law. Socialism,
Marxism, and interventionism defraud,
steal, and covet property from in-
dividuals to the benefit of the State .and
incite others to do likewise. Is this not
worthy of mention? Nash's criticisms
of socialism, Marxism, etc. are pointed
and well aimed and do devastate the
economic credibility of those "Chris-
tians" calling for theft under the guise
of governmental compassion for the
poor but I came away with the distinct
impression that though the tumor was
removed the cancer remains.
_._ _____ The Counsel of Chalccdon, March, 1987
The fmal section was, for me, the
most enjoyable because of the topics
chosen for discussion. Every high
school student should supplement his
history text with the chapter dealing
with the Great Depression. I was also
glad to see Nash point out Social
Security for what it is: a state-spon-
sored pyramid scheme. The first to get
in gets the most and the last harvest the
whirlwirtd. However, Nash poses a
solution to the crisis destined to break
forth when the 1950's baby boomers
retire in the early part of the next
century (p. 153 ff) which makes for
interesting reading.
Nash's chapter on money and mam-
mon is a good introduction to Biblical
stewardship but again, there is no at:.
tempt made to relate our giving to the
clear guidelines of the Scriptures. Chris'-
tian charity must be discriminating and
the principles applied are unfortunately
not forthcoming from Poverty and
Wealth. .
Finally, Nash tackles the sacred cow
of poverty in America and the Third
world. He relies heavily on Charles
Murray's work, Losing Ground, which
if yoU: do not have the time to read you
will find well sununarized by Nash in
the chapter on Poverty in America .. On
the foreign front, Nash indicates the
shortcomings of foreign aid are that it
often hinders economic development, is
often misappropriated, and . has little
tangible evidence. of aiding those who
were targets of the aid. The author then
lists examples of third world countries
that have the highest growth rates have
received little or no foreign aid, i.e.
Hong Kong, Indonesia, etc. A second
factor in thifd world poverty is the
workers themselves. Void of a Chris-
tian work ethic, enmeshed in pagan or
secular deterministic systems leaves
little incentive to prosper and even if
they do prosper, as Hong Kong, they
. prosper to heap God's judgment in
resisting Him who has given them t!Je
power to gain wealth.
With the reservations that I have
noted above I would still encourage
Christian college students, high school
st.,.deots and those seeking a better
un<Jerstanding of capitalism to pick_!P
Poverty and Wealth. U
Becky Morecraft Presents
Painting to Husband, Joe, and
Announces Contest
In iate October, 1986, just a couple
of weeks before the election in which
Joe Morecraft was running for Georgia's
7th district congressional seat, Becky
More craft presented a painting to Joe
for his birthday. The painting depicts an
actual scene which Becky had n()ticed in
her travels throughout the 7th district
during the campaign. There, on the
front wall of the old Lost Mtn. Store
were campaign signs supporting two
men who have been dear to those of us
at Chalcedon Presbyterian Church. One
said "Joe Morecraft - U.S. Congress".
The other one was a Larry McDonald
sign from the past; probably from
1982, the last election year in which
the late congressman ran and won re-
election before his tragic death a year
later on KAL flight 007 at the hands of
the Soviets.
Becky commissioned award winning
water colorist Carol Bomer, of
Asheville, North Carolina, to do the
painting. Carol's husband, Norm, is
editor of the God's World publications
read in Christian schools throughout
the country.
A number of people have expressed
an interest in purchasing a print of the
painting, and it is being made available
for a price of around $40.00. A contest
is being held from now through April
1st, to name the painting. The person
whose suggested name is chosen will
receive a free print.
October :0, 19!16- IS:ky Moret.nft presents painting
to bcr busbllnd, Joe, at a surprise birthday puty.
Contest details on next page
The Counsel of Chalccdon, March, 1987 _____ __,