Disability and religion

The intersection of disability and religion concentrates on the manner in which disabled people are treated within religious communities, the religious texts of those religions, or the general input from religious discourse on matters relating to disability.[1] Studies on the relationship between religion and disability vary widely, with some postulating the existence of ableism[2] and others viewing religion as a primary medium through which to assist disabled people.[3] Religious exhortation often prompts adherents to treat people with disabilities with deference, however when the disability constitutes a mental illness such an approach may be slanted with an acknowledgement of the latter's naivete.[4] In religions with an eschatological belief in divine judgment, there are often traditions promulgating an exemption from judgement in the afterlife for the mentally disabled, as well as for children who die before reaching maturity due to both lacking an understanding of their actions in a manner analogous to the mental disorder defense.[5] Regarding the rationale behind God's creation of disabled people, some religions maintain that their contrast with the able-bodied permits the able-bodied to reflect and God to subsequently assess the level of gratitude shown by each individual for their health.[6]

## Contents

* 1 Buddhism
* 1.1 Buddhist religious texts
* 1.2 Contemporary Buddhism
* 2 Christianity
* 2.1 The Bible
* 2.2 Early Christianity
* 2.3 Contemporary Christianity
* 3 Hinduism
* 3.1 Hindu texts
* 3.2 Contemporary Hinduism
* 4 Islam
* 4.1 Qur'an, Hadith and Sharia Law
* 4.2 Early Islam
* 4.3 Contemporary Islam
* 5 Judaism
* 5.1 The Torah
* 5.2 Contemporary Judaism
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## Buddhism

### Buddhist religious texts

In the book, The Words of my Perfect Teacher by Patrul Rinpoche, the author states that the presence of a disability that impedes an understanding of the concept of dharma will prevent a person from being able to practice Buddhism. [7]

### Contemporary Buddhism

Most Buddhists believe that bad karma (which arises from immoral actions) is the cause of disability.[8][9][10] Buddhists also believe in showing compassion towards people less fortunate than themselves (known as songsarn), including towards the disabled, which is believed by Buddhists to help build their own good karma.[10] This has mixed consequences for people with disabilities living in predominantly Buddhist societies. In societies where Buddhism is the main religion practiced, Buddhists with disabilities have reported that other people have condescending attitudes towards them. [11] The emphasis on compassion has been linked with a reluctance to encourage independence and social participation in people with disabilities.[12]In Thailand, the World Bank reports that because of Buddhism's teachings on showing compassion towards the weak, people often donate money to beggars with disabilities or charities that help the disabled. The World Bank argues that while this kindness can be admirable, it does not promote equality for people with disabilities.[13]

## Christianity

Throughout the history of Christianity, attitudes towards disability have varied greatly.

### The Bible

A misreading of the Bible could lead one to think physical disability is often portrayed as a punishment for sinners. In the New Testament, Jesus is often shown performing miraculous healing those with disabilities, although some believe Jesus still referred to sin as the cause of physical disability.[14] The Bible makes no reference to intellectual disability[15] Contrast this perspective to Christ healing the man born blind (John 9:1-12), where Jesus challenges the Jewish view of His time that disability was punishment for sin. “His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus replied: Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

### Early Christianity

In the Middle Ages, there were two prevailing approaches to those with disabilities. Some priests and scholars took the view that disability was a punishment from God for committing sins, as is often described in the Bible. Others believed that those with disabilities were more pious than non-disabled people.[16] Furthermore, Martin Luther held the view that disability was caused by sin, and is recorded to have recommended to the Prince of Dessau that a young boy with disabilities be drowned. When this suggestion was rebuked, Luther told the prince that Christians should pray for the Devil to be removed from the boy every day.[17]

### Contemporary Christianity

Disability is still linked with sin in some denominations of the church and in some cultures where Christianity is the predominant religion.[17] In Ghana, people with mental illnesses and neurological disorders are routinely sent to prayer camps that are linked with Evangelical and Pentecostal churches, to try to overcome their disorder. Prayer camps have been condemned by Human Rights Watch because of the way that people in prayer camps are often treated. Human Rights Watch reports that people living in prayer camps are subject to being chained to objects for prolonged periods, being deprived of food and poor sanitation.[18][19] Christians with disabilities also report feeling unwelcome when attending church. Many families of children with disabilities in the United States of America report feeling excluded from Church services because of the attitudes of other members of the congregation.[20]

On the other hand, some Christians feel that their faith means they have a duty to care for those with disabilities.[21] As well as this, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called for the church to become more accepting of those with disabilities.[22]

## Hinduism

### Hindu texts

Ashtavakra who had eight physical deformities, was said to be the author of the Hindu religious text Ashtavakra Gita.[23] He is shown to have triumphed over the scholars in King Janaka's court, who mocked his disabilities.[24]

The Bhagavad Gita emphasises detachment from the world and coming to view pain and suffering as neither positive or negative. In the case of suffering, while it brings discomfort, it can also be seen as a positive phenomenon, because it advances a person's spiritual development.[25]

### Contemporary Hinduism

As with Buddhism, Hindus also believe that disability is caused by negative karma.[9] Hinduism also views charitable actions, such as giving money to those in need, as a positive action that will help build a person's good karma for their next life.[26] Disability can be treated as something that is very shameful, with some families confining disabled family members to the home. In other cases, people with disabilities are pitied.[27]

## Islam

### Qur'an, Hadith and Sharia Law

In Islam, the cause of disability is not attributed to wrongdoing by the disabled person or their parents. Islam views disability as a challenge set by Allah.[28] The Qur'an urges people to treat people with intellectual disabilities with kindness and to protect people with disabilities. Muhammed is shown to treat disabled people with respect.[29]

### Early Islam

In the early Islamic caliphate, Bayt al-mal was established to provide for money for people in need, which included the disabled, which was funded by zakat.[30]

In the 16th century, the Islamic scholar Ibn Fahd's book al-Nukat al-Zirâf argued that disability could be caused by disobeying a prophet and also be healed by prophets, although the books faced a widespread backlash at the time.[31]

### Contemporary Islam

In Saudi Arabia, there is a strong focus on equality for children with special needs, which is based on Islam's views on disability.[29] Despite the Qur’an’s teachings on treating disabled people with respect, some Muslim families still report feelings of shame around having a disabled relative and refuse to allow a disabled person to participate in key aspects of Islam, such as attending the Mosque and fasting for Ramadan.[29]

## Judaism

### The Torah

In the Torah, disability is caused by Yahweh, as a punishment for transgressions.[32] Although, God also commands Jews in Israel to "not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind".[33] As well as this, Halakha states that people should support sick people.[34]

### Contemporary Judaism

A poll of American Jews with disabilities found that less than 1 in 5 Jews felt that Jewish institutions were doing "very well" or "extremely well" in including disabled people in community activities.[35] As well as this, Jewish day schools are exempt from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.[35] In Israel, a study on the Haredi community found strong support for integrating children with disabilities into mainstream schools.[36]

## References

1. ↑ Idler, E. L.; Kasl, S. V. (1997-11-01). "Religion among disabled and nondisabled persons II: attendance at religious services as a predictor of the course of disability". The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 52 (6): S306–316. doi:10.1093/geronb/52b.6.s306. ISSN 1079-5014. PMID 9403524.
2. ↑ Mitchell, David; Snyder, Sharon (2003). "The Eugenic Atlantic: race, disability, and the making of an international Eugenic Science, 1800-1945" (in en). Disability & Society 18 (7): 843–864. doi:10.1080/0968759032000127281. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240512596. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
3. ↑ Kabzems, Venta; Chimedza, Robert (2002-03-01). "Development Assistance: Disability and education in Southern Africa". Disability & Society 17 (2): 147–157. doi:10.1080/09687590120122305. ISSN 0968-7599.
4. ↑ Bryant, M. Darrol. "Religion and disability: Some notes on religious attitudes and views." Perspectives on Disability. 2nd ed. Palo Alto, CA: Health Markets Research (1993): 91-96.
5. ↑ Al-Aoufi, Hiam; Al-Zyoud, Nawaf; Shahminan, Norbayah (2012-12-01). "Islam and the cultural conceptualisation of disability". International Journal of Adolescence and Youth 17 (4): 205–219. doi:10.1080/02673843.2011.649565. ISSN 0267-3843.
6. ↑ Miller, Lisa J. (2012-08-23) (in en). The Oxford Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality. OUP USA. pp. 383. ISBN 9780199729920. https://books.google.com/?id=fESUr5Bqvx0C&lpg=PR10&vq=lisa&pg=PA383#v=snippet&q=383&f=false.
7. ↑ Rinpoche, Patrul (1998) (in en). The Words of My Perfect Teacher: A Complete Translation of a Classic Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. Walnut Creek: Rowman Altamira. pp. 20–22. ISBN 9780761990277. https://books.google.com/?id=40i38mGQ6aAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=my+perfect+teacher#v=onepage&q=my perfect teacher&f=false. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
8. ↑ Burley, Mikel (11 October 2012). "Retributive karma and the problem of blaming the victim". International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 74 (2): 149–165. doi:10.1007/s11153-012-9376-z. http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/85287/1/Retrib karma & prob of blaming the victim(FINAL).pdf. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "BBC - Religions - Buddhism: Karma". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/beliefs/karma.shtml. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Naemiratch, Bhensri; Manderson, Lenore (20 May 2009). "Pity and pragmatism: understandings of disability in northeast Thailand". Disability & Society 24 (4): 475–488. doi:10.1080/09687590902879106.
11. ↑ Pwint, Zon Pann. "Workplace reforms "A light at the end of the tunnel" say Myanmar's disabled" (in en). The Myanmar Times (The Myanmar Times). https://www.mmtimes.com/lifestyle/12794-workplace-reforms-a-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-say-myanmar-s-disabled.html. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
12. ↑ Schuelka, Matthew J. (29 June 2015). "The evolving construction and conceptualisation of 'disability' in Bhutan". Disability & Society 30 (6): 820–833. doi:10.1080/09687599.2015.1052043. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280222034. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
13. ↑ "Country Profile on Disability KINGDOM OF THAILAND". World Bank. 2002. p. 7. https://siteresources.worldbank.org/DISABILITY/Resources/Regions/East-Asia-Pacific/JICA_Thailand.1.pdf.
14. ↑ Otieno, Pauline A. (5 November 2009). "Biblical and Theological Perspectives on Disability: Implications on the Rights of Persons with Disability in Kenya" (in en). Disability Studies Quarterly 29 (4). doi:10.18061/dsq.v29i4.988. ISSN 2159-8371.
15. ↑ Yong, Amos (2007). Theology and Down Syndrome: Reimagining Disability in Late Modernity. Waco: Baylor University Press. pp. 21. ISBN 9781602580060. https://books.google.com/?id=T1WFwF53G3cC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Bible,+Disability,+and+the+Church:+A+New+Vision+of+the+People+of+God#v=onepage&q=The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God&f=false. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
16. ↑ Metzler, Irina (2006). Disability in Medieval Europe: Thinking about physical impairment during the high Middle Ages, c.1100-1400. Oxford: Routledge. pp. 46–47. ISBN 978-0-415-36503-1.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 McKenna, Adrian. "In Dependent Bodies: Exploring a Christian Understanding of Disability". Royal College of Psychiatry. https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3USCywb4mcgJ:https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/AMcKennaBodies.pdf+&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
18. ↑ ""Like a Death Sentence" | Abuses against Persons with Mental Disabilities in Ghana" (in en). Human Rights Watch. 2 October 2012. https://www.hrw.org/report/2012/10/02/death-sentence/abuses-against-persons-mental-disabilities-ghana. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
19. ↑ Barriga, Shantha Rau (9 October 2014). "The (in)human dimension of Ghana's prayer camps" (in en). openDemocracy (OpenDemocracy). https://www.opendemocracy.net/openglobalrights/shantha-rau-barriga/inhuman-dimension-of-ghana’s-prayer-camps. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
20. ↑ Briggs, David (20 July 2018). "Study: US Churches Exclude Children with Autism, ADD/ADHD". Christianity Today (Christianity Today). https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/july-web-only/study-us-churches-exclude-children-with-autism-addadhd.html. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
21. ↑ Brock, Brian (2012). Brock, Brian; Swinton, John. eds. Disability in the Christian Tradition: A Reader. Cambridge: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. pp. 20. ISBN 9780802866028. https://books.google.com/?id=nOyokNeTOk4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=christianity+disability#v=onepage&q=activist&f=false. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
22. ↑ Rose, Beth (6 July 2018). "Archbishop: I don't pray for my daughter's disability". BBC News (BBC). https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-44688094. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
23. ↑ Stroud, Scott R. (2004). "Narrative as Argument in Indian Philosophy: The Astavakra Gita as Multivalent Narrative". Philosophy and Rhetoric 37 (1): 42–71. doi:10.1353/par.2004.0011.
24. ↑ Jha, Martand (31 October 2016). "Indian Mythology Has a Problem With Disability". The Wire. https://thewire.in/rights/indian-mythology-problem-disability. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
25. ↑ Whitman, Sarah M. (August 2007). "Pain and Suffering as Viewed by the Hindu Religion". The Journal of Pain 8 (8): 607–613. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2007.02.430. PMID 17462959. http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/pastoral/events/Hindu_painsuffering.pdf. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
26. ↑ Kumar, Arun; Sonpal, Deepa; Hiranandani, Vanmala (2012). "Trapped Between Ableism And Neoliberalism: Critical Reflections On Disability And Employment In India". Disability Studies Quarterly 32 (3). doi:10.18061/dsq.v32i3.3235. http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/59667/1/Trapped_Between_Ableism_and_Neoliberalism_Critical_Reflections_on_Disability_and_Employment_in_India_Kumar_Disability_Studies_Quarterly.pdf. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
27. ↑ Lang, Raymond (2001). Understanding Disability From a South Indian Perspective. pp. 297–301. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lc-ccr/lccstaff/raymond-lang/understanding_disability_in_india.pdf. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
28. ↑ Rispler-Chaim, Vardit (2006) (in en). Disability in Islamic Law. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 93. ISBN 9781402050527. https://books.google.com/?id=cz7XeW80dlUC&pg=PA127&dq=islam+cause+of+disability#v=onepage&q=disability&f=false.
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Al-Aoufi, Hiam; Al-Zyoud, Nawaf; Shahminan, Norbayah (December 2012). "Islam and the cultural conceptualisation of disability". International Journal of Adolescence and Youth 17 (4): 205–219. doi:10.1080/02673843.2011.649565.
30. ↑ Kurbanov, D.M.; Rasulov, N.I.; Ashurov, A.S. (15 May 2014). "The Role of State on Social Justice: An Analysis from Ibn Sina's Perpective". Novosti Khirurgii 22 (3): 366–373. doi:10.18484/2305-0047.2014.3.366. ISSN 2305-0047. https://ejournal.unida.gontor.ac.id/index.php/aliktisab/article/download/2398/1416. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
31. ↑ Ghaly, Mohammad (2006). "Writings on Disability in Islam: The 16th-Century Polemic on Ibn Fahd's al- Nukat al-Zirâf". Arab Studies Journal XIII (2): 9–38. https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/13351/3 Writngs_disability.pdf. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
32. ↑ Blanks, A. Brooke; Smith, J. David (2009). "Multiculturalism, Religion, and Disability: Implications for Special Education Practitioners". Daddcec.org 44 (3): 295–303. http://daddcec.org/Portals/0/CEC/Autism_Disabilities/Research/Publications/Education_Training_Development_Disabilities/Full_Journals/ETDD200909V44n3.pdf#page=11. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
33. ↑ Layman, Lenore (31 January 2018). "Torah Heroes Had Special Needs". Jewish Journal (Tribe Media Corp). https://jewishjournal.com/culture/lifestyle/special-needs/230299/torah-heroes-special-needs/. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
34. ↑ Jones, Melinda (2 January 2007). "Judaism, Theology and the Human Rights of People with Disabilities". Journal of Religion, Disability & Health 10 (3–4): 101–145. doi:10.1300/J095v10n03_08.
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Schonfeld, Julie (26 September 2018). "How synagogues and day schools are failing people with disabilities". Jewish Telegraphic Agency (70/FACES Media). https://www.jta.org/2018/09/26/opinion/synagogues-day-schools-failing-people-disabilities. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
36. ↑ Klein, Elie (31 December 2018). "Israel's 'haredi' community embrace disability inclusion, integration". JNS.org (Jewish News Syndicate). https://www.jns.org/israels-haredi-community-embrace-disability-inclusion-integration/. Retrieved 7 January 2019.

## External links

* Journal of Disability & Religion

0.00

(0 votes)

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Religion:Disability_and_religion&oldid=891254"