This is Africa's most advanced country-remember that! This article tells the tale of a "minister" in South Africa that claims to be able to cure AIDS. Here is how the story starts:

He is the Rev. Solomon Mahlangu, a former driving instructor who wears French suits, leather shoes and an air of prosperity that is as intoxicating as fine cologne. He claims that his healing hands have pulled the rains from cloudless skies, exorcised wayward spirits and, most important, cured dozens of people suffering from AIDS.

And here is the depressing denouement:

"Some people say I'm making money because I'm driving a Mercedes," said Mr. Mahlangu, who insists that he collects money only during Sunday services. "You get people pointing fingers and saying my powers come from the devil, but I keep on going on. What matters to me is that the people are still flocking in. I'm making a difference."

Oh yeah, he's making a difference. This isn't the first time that South Africa has been overwhelmed by collective mania in the face of desolation. The Mfecane, or "The Crushing" by Shaka Zulu (similar it some ways to Mugabe's current behavior) caused so much tribal dislocation that it was followed by the Xhosa turning to a destructive millenarian cult that instructed them to kill their own cattle! I understand that people are turning to anything to seek refuge from the scourge that is going through their communities-killing their men. But, there is a rather easy alternative to risky behavior-monogamy, monogamy, monogamy! And failing that, polygamy! Certain cultures have social pathologies that are suitable vectors for biological pathologies. We can't turn away from the cruel hard facts. Now South Africans are turning to religion to "cure" themselves. I wish them luck. But why should we help people who won't help themselves? What would your rational response be to a situation where you know that 1 out of 4 individuals carry HIV?