Three recent books investigate disability from the perspective of Christian theology, according to The Christian Century. Theology and Down Syndrome: Reimagining Disability in Late Modernity (Baylor University Press), by Amos Yong; Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality (Brazos), by Thomas E. Reynolds; and Spirit and the Politics of Disablement (Fortress), by Sharon V. Betcher all examine the theological implications of different types of disabilities from various perspective, both personal, professional, and pastoral.
Disability and spirituality has become an increasingly important topic in disability studies and rehabilitation counseling. Various authors have considered disability through the theological lenses of Judaism, such as Judith Z. Abrams’ “Judaism and Disability: Portrayals in Ancient Texts from the Tanach through the Bavli” and Islam, as in “Disability in Islamic Law”, by Vardit Rispler-Chaim, just to name two.
SOURCE:
Toward a Theology of Disability
http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=5761
RELATED:
Disability in Asian Cultures and Beliefs: History and Service Development– Some Collected Papers by M. Miles
http://www.haworthpress.com/stor/toc/J095v06n02_TOC.pdf?sid=WMJKJR2TC31M9GHNGKCBKS4LXX6E8320&
22 comments:
It is important to look at religion when studying disability because religion has a lot of influence in a person’s rehabilitation. For instance, if a rehab counselor is not aware of client’s religious beliefs, they might offend someone. Theology and disability need to be kept in mind when providing rehab counseling services. Many times the way disability is viewed will depend on spiritual views. Due to their religious backgrounds some people may think disability is because of sin. According to their domination Christian pastors will cast out disability thinking it is from demons. The majority of pastors will only want to pray for the disability to go away. People with disabilities may have other issues that require prayer but pastors only look at the disability and think that there could not be anything else going on that needs prayer. As a person with cerebral palsy, I have often experienced this whenever I visited a new church. Thankfully I have found a church I am comfortable with that does not interfere with my worship. Because of this rehab studies should address theology and disability.
-Elizabeth H.
Religion does portrays a big influence in disabilities. As disabilities are different among every person so are the aspects of religion. The meaning of having a disability can vary when influence by religion. One can be said to have been bless because of the many new talents they have discover. However, others can look at their disability as a punishment from god for a particular reason. Religion is important and is a gross influence within our nation, so when working in the field of rehabilitation one should be aware of the many points of view taking by disability. These books will enable a professional to have information within the subject of rehabilitation and religion.
Laura S.
Religion and disablility? This topic is very conterversal. there are so many different beliefs out there, that as a rehab counselor you would have to be very careful abotu how you intreprate you ideas. I do know though that elizabeth is right, many people have the idea that a disablility needs to go away but why dont people see it as something new something great and different. I had nevetr thought about that before...
Carmen G.
This interests me from two perspectives. The first is how one's view of God affects their view of their own disabiity. As mentioned in our class, the most common effect is to bolster your own reaction, and help you to adjust to the disability. A very large percentage of people born with a disability or who acquire it during their lifetime decide that God has placed them in their position as a special mission. They use the disability as a positive example to others, and help others to adjust. People with this attitude contribute considerably in all walks of life.
People who view their disability as a punishment from God tend to be angry and self destructive, or resigned. If you think that God is against you, there is very little reason to live. This becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
The other aspect that interests me is more on what these books portray: what do the major religions think of disability? I think a lot of secular people incorrectly portray this view as negative, particularly in their view of Christianity. Several tiems in the Bible it is suggested that sin causes disability, even congenital disabiliy. That view prevails among many people today. Jesus is asked a tough theological question about a child born blind. Did the child sin in the womb, or did the parents sin? His answer is that neither did. The disability is not a punishment, but rather an opportunity to show God's purpose.
Davidw last blog
Religion is important in all aspects. It is important to know a person's religious believe in every area, you never know when you can affect them. However, with disabilities its very important. Some religions or ethnic groups view it as a form of punishment. It is important for Rehab studies to always consider religion.
Sabrina D.
Many people with disablities look towards religion as a coping mechanism. This was a very interesting blog for the fact that it mentioned theology and disability. People with disabilities have certain views on life and follow a certain religions and believe why a person has a disaility. Religion helps people with disabilites find there piece and learn to accept themselves as an individual.
Tracy S.
I find this topic very interesting, becuause of its controversy. Faith or Religion and illness- punishment or purpose?
Some people may see disability as punishment of God or Higher Power, where other may see it as a purposeful gift for the benefit of mankind.
The truth is that where Religiosity may "kill" and bring anguish to some people, to others it brings "life" and hope.
Faith and disability-Subjectivity.
Paty c
Laura,
I agree with you religion is a big part of our life whether you believe or not. Rehabilitation and Religion can go hand in hand whether a person sees it as a punishment from god or a blessing. It can be seen as a blessing because a person can see it as a way to help others by heloing themselves. And maybe with these books we can also be educated and use when appropriate.
Laura,
I agree with you religion is a big part of our life whether you believe or not. Rehabilitation and Religion can go hand in hand whether a person sees it as a punishment from god or a blessing. It can be seen as a blessing because a person can see it as a way to help others by heloing themselves. And maybe with these books we can also be educated and use when appropriate.
opps!!! forgot IGarza
I am glad to see that there can be a connection between Theology and Disability. I find religion to be a very delicate subject when trying to discuss with a client within the Rehabilitation world. Though it is important to include with the disability because it could be a positive impact but again, sometimes the disability could be seen as a punishment from god for being bad. Whether it is a good thing or not it is hard to really say. We can say that we have come a long way because in the past you could not even mention the word religion but now things are changing and our world is turning more to the spiritual world for answers. Studying religion will help with Rehabiliation clients because we as counselors can be able to connect the both worlds and put it to good use. By the way, I am a big admirer of Frida and the book on the article is one of her best pictures. It symbolizes her disability and handicap she felt both inside and out during her lifetime. She suffered both physically and mentally throughout her life and her pictures tell her story. Igarza
I agree with Sabrina D. “Religion is important in all aspects.” It is important that we know our boundaries when talking about religion with our clients. This topic is very sensitive for people sometimes, and we never want to over-step our boundaries. It is important to understand and respect others beliefs. Some view religion as a way of coping with their everyday lives, others simply accept problems or illnesses.
janneth a.
While I agree with some of the previous bloggers on a professional level, that it is important to take clients religion into consideration when assisting them, I however fail to see how viewing disability in terms of religion is a good thing. In fact history has proven that using religious views in regards to understanding disability created a dangerous practice for many persons with disabilities as well as their families. They were left to believe that their disability was the result of a “curse” or something they themselves had caused, resulting in shame and mistreatment of these individuals.
Previously I believe that people used religion and disability as a way to scare people straight. This is not so much the case now; however many so called religious people still fail to understand that a disability is not the end of the world. On the other hand some people may accept a disability and because it is “Gods will”, and therefore may not try to reach their maximum functional potential, this I believe is also dangerous.
While I consider myself a religious person, I believe that as a rehab councilor it is important to know when a client’s reaction is the result of religion or misinformation. I believe that one must be gentle with a client when dealing with issues of religion in association with disability.
Cris M.
Religion is very important in life. i personally feel that religion teaches us how to live a good and disipined life. It teaches us about the All Mighty,and tell us how kind and loving is He. If He is Loving and kind He can't punish His Children, and give them disablity as punishment. It is a sentive matter and we need to handle with care. God always bless us He can't punish us. May be it is blessing in disguise which we humans are unable see.
As a counsler we need to aplly it very carefully and shall see only it shoud give a positive effect to our clients,if we are unable to give a positive effect then we should avoid it
Puri.V
Majority of peolple link these two things because people usually turn to religion if a disability occurs. I do think that people need to be aware of different religios beliefs because everyone thinks differently. Sometimes people look at disabilities as a kind of punishment and others see it as a blessing after some time because they change their lives.
Noelia B.
I think that it is important to take the clients lead on dealing with religion. Most of the client’s that I have had the privilege of working with do have religion in their lives. However, some feel that they have the disability because of a “higher power” and are angry about it. I have found it best to avoid the subject when possible and listen to the teaching of those clients whom choose to include me in their spiritual journey.
~Marlene H. 12 of 12
Research like this is a great way for Rehab Counselors to expand their Cultural Competence. Religious views are part of a person's psychosocial context - why they hold a particular view, how they react to situations, how they see themselves, etc. Just as a Rehab Counselor should strive to understand a client's ethnic culture and socioeconomic culture, understanding a client's religious culture (note that I didn't say "agreeing with") can only benefit the counselor/client relationship.
Margaret T.
Religion always will be important in any person, especially in people with disabilities. Sometimes it is hard to accept any type of disability and most of the times people find refuge in God, there different religions around the world. the important thing is to believe in something that make u feel stronger and protected. For me, religion and disability are important subjects, it is history. Before, disability was seen like something "demonic" "bad spirits in that person". Little by little things have been changing but still this matter affects to some people. Personally I believe is good to read more about humanity, psycology, sociology, rehab in general to understand more people with disability.
Claudia P.
It is interesting to see how thelogy can be tied to Disabilities. In Intro to Rehab we studied how different cultures and their religions and how they believe disabilities happen. Usually religion isn't a factor in the medical aspect of our everyday lives. I would find it helpful to read this book if i were a rehab counselor because it could help me relate to people who have disabilities. Even then i would still find it interesting to read regardless what i study.
Stephanie P
I think that the people with disabilities that have a religio view or believe in something, they can handle better their disability and gives them more wisdom towards it. I also, read some article that said that people that have a some religious image can handle better the pain, that those that are more skeptic.
Emma C.
I think this blog is very interesting because i think religion and disablility do go hand in hand. I think its very important to know a persons religion since there is many people who view their disability as a punishment according to their religion. I think it good for people like these authors to write books about these topics because it helps rehabilitation counselors to learn more about religion and disability and could help understand the person.
Alejandrina T.
i am really gald that spirituallity and disabilites is becoming more important. i really think that it is an important part in everyones life. i hope that it becomes more of a part.
Annette M
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