Category: philosophy/religion topics
I recently had a discussion about disability and the whole idea some people have that they need to intervene and heal us. Seems in that case, heal equals cure. It amazes me that so many people who are blind or who have other disabilities participate in religion when it seems to do nothing but encourage loathing of anyone who is not able-bodied or at least generally pleasant to the eyes of mankind. I've heard of beliefs like the blind and disabled are paying for past sins if not in their own lives, then those of a parent or ancestor. If you're into reincarnation, sorry, no escape. Seems you're being paid back by the universe for something you did in a past life. Other religions might believe we have evil spirits or demons in us. More and more I see I'm glad to be agnostic, as I haven't found a religion that places those of us who are not able-bodied into a state that is not shameful or that we don't need to be transformed into something we're not or assimilated or what have you. Where is the religion that says we were put here to serve just as worthy a purpose as those who consider themselves normal. Where is the faith that says we were put here to teach people to be tolerant and stop buying society's line that being different is shameful and should be avoided at all costs. If I ever hear of such a faith, I just hope it isn't full of all the guilt and repression that seems to be a part of some mainstream faiths.
Very interesting, Labyrinth. One thing that caught my attention, though secondary to your point, is your calling agnosticims a religion. Just for interest's sake--do you know if it's generally considered to be that? I would have thought that most agnostics would make a point of classifying their beliefs as non-religious. That being said, I think you have a very good point about religion. In many religions (actually, I can't really speak confidently for any of the except for Christianity, and even there I can only speak to the church, not Christianity as such), it seems that disabilities and the people who have them have a very curious standing. I have a friend whose family priest pretty much in the same sentence told her mother that if she had known that her daughter was going to be blind, she could have just had an abortion, *and* that her daughter, being blind, was a lot closer to god than us regular mortals in some mystic way. Shame and distinction combined... I don't know what to make of it, but it's definitely strange.
I don't believe just because we are disabled, we pay for our former lives or for lives of our ancesters. It might sound hard but ... well, it just happened!!! And I don't believei n religion because I think I can be healed. R eligion helps me to solve my problems in geneeral.
Can't say, but it's a point of view and can metaphorically be considered a path like a religion is a path. Can't give you anybody else's writings to back it up, but it's how I see things. It's one of many things you can opt into or out of.
um, i am a christian as is most of my family, and i do not believe that we're paying for sin in another life or what ever you said, i use my religion to help me in every way of life, from daily problems, sicknesses, helping others, prayse for the good things that happen to me and much more. I also believe that i'm blind because God made me that way for a particular reason.And it is no one's fault. I just haven't figured that reason out yet. I think I'm here for a reason and God has a plan for me and I'm here to spicifically do what is expected of me and then I will be done here on Earth. and on to live for eternity in Heaven. Please know i'm not trying to push this on anyone just stating my oppinion on this topic.
I'm a christian, and I'm not one just because I'm blind. I'm one because I chose to be. And as far as correcting the situation. I will not get any type of operation to correct my blindness, because god made me the way I am and I want to stay this way so know I don't think we are paying for anything by having a disability.
Troyy
hi,
I'm with LL on this one. I don't understand why God let me be blind, butI know that one day I will be healed of it whether it's here on earth or in Heaven. In one way, I think it'd be kinda cool to hve the first thing I see clearly to be the face of Christ...
I agree with those that said that they believe in their religion/God because it is their choice, so do I. *smile* Also, I've been thru those special Masses where they pray for people with disabilities and stuff like that, as well as thru several surgeries for my eyes. I think my mom just wanted to see if anything would work although she has always helped me out and been there for me. but nothing worked and so I believe that God has not allowed my blindness to be fixed for whatever reason He has for that. So I accept that and would not try anymore or pray for a cure.
Forgive me, guys, but if you *chose* to believe in something, then how is that really belief? I really thought that there was something deeper there, some sort of understanding that you simply can't refuse. To me, if you really believed it, you wouldn't have to chose it--it would be rather like you simply can't escape it. That's why I am *not* religious--I just can't get myself to believe it, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with a choice. I would have hoped it would be the same for the "other side".
I think it depends on when you hooked up with the particular path. You have those whose family subscribed to a certain faith, so the kids go along until they are out on their own and will either continue with it or get disgusted with it and bail, find another faith that suits them, or decide to go the atheist/agnostic route. Then you have the folks who somehow later in life decided to hook up with some faith or the next. Sometimes it can happen because they lived too wild a life and hit rock bottom. Yeah, typical story, but it seems to work for some folks. Not sure how else somebody can hook up with a given faith later in life.
To add to my original post at the top of the thread, as it is, even if I found a religion that was blind/disability-friendly, I'd probably feel out of place. I've discovered one of my quirks is that if I join any group I end up feeling like an outsider. I think I'd probably ahve to just start my own religion or something. No, I would not want people worshipping me, far from that, and nobody would ahve to drink any poison or mangle themselves either. I'll have to think about this one.
I too will never have surgeries to fix my vision loss, i'm thankful for what vision i have and know it could be worse. And i am one of the people who grow up with a religion cuz my family was but i'm now grown and making my own decisions, and being a follower and believer of Jesus Christ is one of the best decisions i have ever and will ever make. and i not for one second have doubted or questiond God for any reason... he has a plan for each and everyone of us and its all up to us to figure out what that plan is and either do as God wills or don't and I have chosen to believe and figure waht that plan is and do as God wills me to do. and i feel very sorry for those who choose to deny him and go there own ways for they will regret that decition at the end of there lives and they to will be denyed
Amen!
Troy
luscious lioness, amen, I couldn't have preached it better!
Well, I was raised protestant Christian, and love some of it. Well, in my church my blindness is nothing and no one wish to exclude me because of it. My church doesn't really care about it. Well, I think it's more like a gift, and it's a million dollars gift. It's cool to me, and I love it. God must have given it to me for a reason, and I have no objections over it.
You nonbelievers, got to stop being prejudice and generalizing. It's not healthy. What if I went prejudice against you? Would like it?
Well, Hellenic Polytheism, as it is practised today, does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race or ability. We welcome everyone. Now everyone may have his or own personal views, but I mean the religion as a whole. Furthermore, we don't have the guilt or shame about all the things that Christianity and other mainstream religions do and we have no sin. That doesn't mean we have no morals, but we don't have the idea of sin as such and certainly not of original sin. I find my religious community to be very open and accepting of my blindness. We also don't believe that because someone is disabled that person must stay that way if they can be helped. I won't say that The Gods punished me for anything by making me blind, but I do think they had their reasons. Btw, I do know many Christians who don't take such negative views of blindness and who are very helpful.
Btw, just cause I don't believe I'm being punished that doesn't mean The Gods can't punish people, or unfortunately, their descendents. But I don't recall any curse or negative wish being placed on my family, so that's why I'm ruling it out.
Well, it's only some Christians, again, don't generalize. For heavens sake we don't fucking believe blindies or disabled ones are outcasts. True and generous Christians will not think that way.
I can't speak for anyone else, but as I said, I know alot of Christians who are not this way. I see alot of fighting between pagans and Christians. The stereotypes (please notice that word) go like this. Pagans are godless, or barbarians, or are sinners/going to hell, or don't know what they're doing or are practicing a ridiculous faith and must be converted. Christians are all those people who think that way and are closed-minded people with no respect toards other views, the handicapped etc and preech all the time. Obviously, neither extreme is true and it saddens me that we all throw mud at each other, even in discussing blindness and Christianity. I think you guys get a bad wrap alot of the time because of how a few of you act and that's not right. I know many of you who'd do anything to help a person in need and who don't feel the need to preech etc. Same goes for us. We have our idiots too and people who fit some of those moulds, but not all of us are that way.
Well, you are speaking of extremests, but the rest of us should not be blamed for it at all.