Disability and Disbelief
I came across a blog today, that was….. to say the least, a bit disturbing–both as a Christian, as and someone with a challenge. This blog was written by an atheist, writing about physical challenges and “Christian insolence.”
In the blog, this man writes about how Christian’ in this day and age–despite all of the scientific advances, still hold the disabled as responsible for their own suffering, and that they are our punishment(s) — He goes on to mention several things that Christians say in response to his disability– like this author, some of the statements “frustrate” me–but still others are off base altogether.
things like:
- My disability is so God can get my attention
- if I had enough faith I would be healed
- My disability is because God is angry at me.
- My disability is punishment from God
Over the years years— I’ve heard the same things, sometimes worded different sometimes the same; so in many ways I can relate to this author, and like the author I find that more then a few that have said these things, call themselves Christians. The author and I differ on whether Christians that say things like this are insolent on purpose..or not?
I tend to think..Not– at least I don’t now!-- it may be cliche’ but “people fear what that don’t understand” I think that people just don’t really know how to genuinely react but that— blogs, laws, classes and other things on disabilities help these attitudes that people have.
The author claims that his challenge is not why he is an atheist?!--I have to take his word on this, but i guarantee that on some level the fact that he is challenged doesn’t help!
Not that I would expect him or you, to believe or agree with me..but,here are some things to remember
- God does not decide to punish one child with a disability while leaving others alone–if God wanted us to be disabled, He would have made us all this way.
- God is and does not get angry at the disabled because of there challenge(s)
- Your “level” of faith does not determine if/or you get healed
- God did not make you disabled “to get your attention”
- You are not disabled to help others become better Christians
- Your disability does not make you a bad Christian
- Your disability can be used by God.
Very interesting-I’ve heard things like this as well. Thanks for sharing.
dearraven
2012/01/07 at 01:09
rather then make me mad..now when I see hear/things like that it saddens me. Especially is it comes up that a challenge my be at least part of the reason for unbelief.
Nathanael Massey
2012/01/07 at 11:46
Nathanael, your response encourages me to speak to so-called Christians as well as Muslims (99% of the people we live with here in Turkey) the truth about God and to expose the lies. You have opened my eyes to the sad fact that Religion without God With Us (i.e. Jesus ) comes up with the most preprosterous anti-human (not just anti-disability) pronouncements and, as I have personally experienced, horrifying actions. Let’s pray for one another to keep on pointing to Him who while in the form of God chose dependancy and loss of Complete Mobility so that He could fully be the Suffering Servant. Looking forward to that Great Day of Healing for us all. MAY GOD’S TEARS SOFTEN OUR ATHEIST FRIEND’S HEART!
thesnowdrop
2012/02/19 at 02:34
thanks for the comment Norita–I hope the day finds you well?! and that your charges are just as well. The truth of the matter is that many of these attitudes are so well ingrained in people, that the devil has convinced them that they don’t in fact have them.–”the greatest trick of the devil, is too convince the world he doesn’t exist” or in this case, that attitudes/feelings that are from him don’t thus he doesn’t
Nathanael Massey
2012/02/19 at 05:24
These sort of comments come out of a lack of understanding of the Father heart of God and what he has accomplished through His son! A lot bof Christians don’t even undertand the full extent of God’s love for mankind, so it’s not surprising that these comments are rife!
Nigel Rainer
2012/02/19 at 14:32