Disability and religion
The intersection of disability and religion concerns 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
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 disabled people, 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 disabled people. 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
In parts of the Bible physical disability is portrayed as a punishment for sin. 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 challenged the view 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.
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 and was a revered Vedic sage.[23] He is shown to have triumphed over the scholars in King Janaka's court, who mocked his disabilities.[24] The 16th-century Hindu poet and singer Surdas, who was said to have composed more than 125,000 songs, is similarly revered as a great religious figure.[25] In ancient and medieval Hindu society, individuals with disabilities were considered for special employment jobs where their disability would be beneficial for their work; for example, kings who would hire persons with hearing and/or speech impairment to copy confidential government documents.[25]
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.[26] Hindu texts advocate that disabled people feeling hopeless should go forward in life with a positive manner and attitude by following Dharma.[27]
Contemporary Hinduism
As with Buddhism, Hindus also believe that disability is caused by negative karma, but this is not imposed by an outside punitive force or God.[9][28] 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.[29] Although disability can be treated as something that is very shameful societally, with some families confining disabled family members to the home, Hinduism stipulates that it is the Dharmic duty of all non-disabled individuals to care for those with a disability and extend charity to them.[30] In society, people with disabilities can also be pitied for their condition.[31]
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.[32] The Qur'an urges people to treat people with
Early Islam
In the early
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.[35]
Contemporary Islam
In Saudi Arabia, there is a strong focus on equality for children and adults with special needs, which is based on Islam's views on disability.[33] Despite the Qur'an's teachings on treating disabled people with respect, some Muslim families 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.[33]
Judaism
The Torah
In the Torah, disability is caused by Yahweh, as a punishment for transgressions.[36] Although, God also commands Jews in Israel to "not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind".[37] As well as this, Halakha states that people should support sick people.[38]
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.
References
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- S2CID 145580622. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
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- ^ 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.
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- ISBN 9780199729920.
- ISBN 9780761990277. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- S2CID 170850794. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ a b "BBC - Religions - Buddhism: Karma". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ S2CID 145215071.
- ^ Pwint, Zon Pann. "Workplace reforms "A light at the end of the tunnel" say Myanmar's disabled". The Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- S2CID 142548752. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- ^ "Country Profile on Disability KINGDOM OF THAILAND" (PDF). siteresources.worldbank.org. World Bank. 2002. p. 7.
- ISSN 2159-8371.
- ISBN 9781602580060. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-415-36503-1.
- ^ a b McKenna, Adrian. "In Dependent Bodies: Exploring a Christian Understanding of Disability". webcache.googleusercontent.com. Royal College of Psychiatry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ ""Like a Death Sentence" | Abuses against Persons with Mental Disabilities in Ghana". Human Rights Watch. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ Barriga, Shantha Rau (9 October 2014). "The (in)human dimension of Ghana's prayer camps". openDemocracy. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- ^ Briggs, David (20 July 2018). "Study: US Churches Exclude Children with Autism, ADD/ADHD". Christianity Today. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ISBN 9780802866028. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ Rose, Beth (6 July 2018). "Archbishop: I don't pray for my daughter's disability". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- S2CID 144425928.
- ^ Jha, Martand (31 October 2016). "Indian Mythology Has a Problem With Disability". The Wire. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ ISSN 2159-8371.
- PMID 17462959. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ ""Hindu Perceptions of Disability" by Waldman, H. Barry; Perlman, Steven P.; Chaudhry, Ramiz A. - The Exceptional Parent, Vol. 40, Issue 7, July 2010". Retrieved 2020-10-17.
- ^ ""Hindu Perceptions of Disability" by Waldman, H. Barry; Perlman, Steven P.; Chaudhry, Ramiz A. - The Exceptional Parent, Vol. 40, Issue 7, July 2010". Retrieved 2020-10-17.
- . Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- ISBN 978-1-000-15566-2.
- ^ Lang, Raymond (2001). "Understanding Disability From a South Indian Perspective" (PDF). www.ucl.ac.uk: 297–301. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ISBN 9781402050527.
- ^ S2CID 43528098.
- ISSN 2305-0047. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ Ghaly, Mohammad (2006). "Writings on Disability in Islam: The 16th-Century Polemic on Ibn Fahd's al- Nukat al-Zirâf" (PDF). Arab Studies Journal. XIII (2): 9–38. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- JSTOR 24233476. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ Layman, Lenore (31 January 2018). "Torah Heroes Had Special Needs". Jewish Journal. Tribe Media Corp. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- S2CID 216088259.
- ^ a b Schonfeld, Julie (26 September 2018). "How synagogues and day schools are failing people with disabilities". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 70/FACES Media. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ Klein, Elie (31 December 2018). "Israel's 'haredi' community embrace disability inclusion, integration". JNS.org. Jewish News Syndicate. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
Further reading
- Ahmed, Dunya A. A. (October 2008). "Doctoral Theses: Gender, Disability and Islam: Living with Visual Impairment in Bahrain". Disability & Society. 23 (6): 539–541. S2CID 218524121. Full text available at: http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/1285/1/WRAP_THESIS_Ahmed_2007.pdf