Category: philosophy/religion topics
Hello all,
Okay, first of all, let's be clear... I am not in religion at all cause well it's just not for me, but I do respect every religion, as long as people don't try to convert me. I do have a question for you folks... Me and another blind person came to realize that there are soooo many blind folks involved in religions... I would like to understand why. I mean, it's not something bad, but I'd like to catch the link between the impairment and the religion... What does the religion brings to you? Does it help you to face your life?
Anyway, I was wondering...
Cheers all,
Single babygirl
Well as I said in another post I am not into religion because I'm blind, it's because I choose to be. I think religion can help with life struggles, etc. However, I'm too not one for converting others. I feel it's the persons choice and what they want to do and who they want to be.
Troy
Well, before I answer the question, an elderly gentleman I know who is blind saw a study someone did about where blind people find the greatest social aceptance. The two answers that toped the list at the time were churches and bars. Churches,because of the attendees belief that people need to be saved and that blind people are an inspiration. I didn't write the results, just reporting what I heard. As for bars, the rationale at the time was that there wasn't a problem a drink couldn't make better. Having said that, on a personal level, I agree with Troy. I don't think there's any kind of corelation between blindness and religion. Like Single baby Girl, I don't feel it should be worn like a badge, making it compulsery for everybody to see how much "better" I am because I'm "religious."
Lou
Hey
I've seen a lot of people turned off by churches and religions in general because many "religious" people act like they're better than everyone else. Thing is, if we "religious ones" speak confidently about what we believe and why, but are also real enough to share our struggles, then we'd be seen like actual people rather than religious nuts.
In terms of the corallation between blindness and religion? I don't know... why are there so many sighted people involved in religion? So many men? Women? Married people with kids? the list goes on.
Sometimes it can seem as if there's a link between blindness and religion. Actually, I think we should perhaps specifically say Christianity, because I have only run into a few blind folks of the Jewish faith, and even fewer who follow the various pagan paths. But there are lots of resources out there for specifically blind Christians. Magazines, websites, e-mail lists, you name it, so you can't necessarily blame somebody for thinking there's a link when there may not be. I have never seen any resources for blind folks who seriously want to take a more skeptical or atheist/agnostic point of view. Why is this? I mean, the best I can do as an agnostic is just be honest about it while being respectful of whatever somebody else's path is.
Labyrinth, you raise a good point. I believe that some churches do have materials. here in the states there are two organizations that put materials in alternate formats of the Jewish Faith. I believe there's one of the Bahai faith as well, and I'm sorry about the spelling if I messed that up. the Jahovas Whitnesses also publish quite a bit of material in braille, however that is viewed by many as an offshoot of Christianity. I don't know if any of the Eastern Religions put materials in alternate formats. Concerning agnosticism, you're right. I haven't seen anything come to think of it. Sorry about the rambling.
Lou
Please don't apologize for rambling, as there's no internet police ready to clap the cuffs on ya for doing so, right? Hahahahahaha! I guess with the internet, if you're interested in agnostic and atheist points of view, there are websites you can go to and I think even one internet stream or perhaps more with programs that cater toward such things. Some of it is pretty amusing and fun, too, if you have a taste for the irreverent. They're not specifically blindness-oriented, but I doubt that's really necessary I suppose.
I dont' see that there's a spicific link between blindness and religion. we're just people....my blindness has strengthened my faith, sort of....just because I feel so blessed to be born with sight other than within my eyes. but that doesn't mean that there's a spicific link....I don't know. i agree with what crazymusician as far as there are a lot of other groups involved with religion, if we are to classify them as groups. but I think this is a great topic, singlebabygirl
i don't think there's a direct coralation either, i just think that people believe what they want. just cuz some blind people may feel that religion strengthens them, doesn't mean others do.
I do want to bring up one point concerning blind people and religion, specifically Christianity, which I think must be made, even though it sounds crazy, and it's not just me that thinks so. Sometimes it can seem, at least on some e-mail lists and other places where blind folk gather to chat, that if you're blind as well as Christian and conservative, you get a sort of preferred treatment. If you identify as liberal or something other than Christian, people act as if your point of vieew is not worth hearing. Again, it ain't just me who thinks this either. Is something wrong with this picture? Is this something peculiar to the blind community or just a reflection of society as a whole?
Hmmm. I don't think there are other reasons than for sighted people to be involved in religion. It's just a matter of belief. Besides, I have not realized that there are so many blind religious people. I rather thought there are many blind people who don't like religion at all.
Hi! I don't know if there is a direct correlation between blindness and involvement in religion. I am interested in religion because I find it absolutely fascinating. Sure, religion can help people, regardless of whether or not they have sight through difficult times but I know plenty of blind people who would identify themselves as Atheists or agnostics. I definitely think we need more resources for blind people who do not identify as Christian. Personally, I know there's one agency that Brailles Jewish materials www.jbilibrary.org and there are tons of Jewish web sites that are accessible, but I have yet to find anything specifically for blind Jews other than the small NFB affiliate blind in Judaism. We need something more all-purpose and general. Or why not form a blind interfaith discussion group ?
I believe there is no link at all between religion and blindness. We are just like the rest of the world, finding our own beliefs, and way of life. I know personally, that if I had been sighted, I would still have the same beliefs. not because I was raised a Christian, but because I personally have chosen to believe. Alough I do value life more because of my blindness, but that really doesn't determine whether or not I practice my beliefs. It only helps build on what I believe.
what about circle 4 jesus, the forum for blind christians?
It is just a forum were we can gather as believers, and be a family. It doesn't matter where we meet, but we are like a family.
I think that it's more noticeable, in the blind community, religious people. Because we're such a smalle community, there may seem to be a large percentage of religious people. But I think that it's probably about the same percentage as in the sighted community. There's just a lot more of them. lol
No, don't think there is any difference.
laurliz1186, You have a problem? Why does anyone need a religion. How about if I don't want one? What if I am happy with out one?
BTW, I have one, but I don't think anyone needs one. They can have one if they want one. Forcing it on people is just like playing Hitler.