This article talks about Old Testament beliefs (in fact people with disabilities were not allowed into the temple to worship). It also states:
"Where did these exclusive attitudes come from? There are a lot of scriptures that list disability as a punishment inflicted by God to anyone who disobeys religious law; see Deut. 28: 27-29. It is written in 2 Kings 6:18 that God punished Elisha's enemy with blindness. Zach.12:4 says that horses will be blinded to punish mankind.
...Jesus, on the other hand, interacted with many disabled people. He was undoubtedly, the first disability activist! He was always in trouble with the religious in his day for healing persons with disabilities. In John 9, one of Jesus' own disciples asked him, "who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind." Jesus replied, "neither," and then he healed the blind man. This angered the Pharisees. They investigated the healing and in conclusion, said to the man who was blind, "you were steeped in sin at birth. How dare you lecture us!"
And he wanted us included in the social life of the community. He said in Luke 14:12, "When you have dinner, don't invite your friends or relatives, or your rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you to their house in return and you will be repaid. Instead invite the poor, the lame, the blind the crippled and you will be blessed and repaid at the resurrection."
... [I]f the church is inaccessible, what does this say to a disabled person about God? And I can't help but wonder; if participation in any religious requirement is inaccessible, or if participation in any church activity is inaccessible, is it from God or from man?"
Via Inclusion News Daily
6 comments:
I go to church in a parish that isn't aware of what disabled people need. We have a ramp to the church but many of the activities are in a building that is not accessible so I can't go. I've brought this up but was told that they are looking into it. Over three years have gone by and I've reminded people a few times. Nothing. I find I am losing interest in being a part of things since I am left out.
I hope you don't stop going. I do understand because I use a wheelchair too and it's hard to "keep the faith" when we are excluded. But we matter and belong there.
I hope you don't stop going for that reason too. Maybe the community at your church need a little shaming or visual poster or something to show them what their inaction is excluding you from.
Ruth: What a fantastic article. Thanks!
I think it's a good idea to show them what their inaction is excluding you from. I really echo that I hope you don't stop going because of that.
There are good resources and very helpful staff at the National Organization on Disability and their Religion & Disability Program:
http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=9
Thanks for the resource Scott - added it to the blogroll.
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