Accessibility of Religion

[mactoph]

This is great- a Religion, Faith and Disability forum! I'd love to hear what experiences people have had with organized religion and disability. In my experience, I have seen some really positive efforts to accommodate and even eliminate any barriers of disability, but I've also seen a lot of ignorance where supposed religious folks were not exactly shining examples of some of the things that they taught- any thoughts?

[Starino]

Yes, I see the same in the churches I have been in. In my old church they always forced me to play volleyball even if I didn't feel good, or if I was tired or sick. They still made me play.

But the new church I am at now. They let me decide if I want to play or not and if I tell them no. They'll say are you sure? and if I still say no. They'll say alright then, but if you feel like playing in a little while come in and join us! And if I don't go play they'll come back in and say that they're sorry I didn't join them and they hope I' ll be able to next time.

OF course is the grownups who do all this. The ppl  my own age or a lil younger don't get really warm or freidnly with me even though I have been there for almost a year. They are still really shy around me I guess. I just hope that they'll get past the shyness soon.

[Daniel]

All the churches I have attended have gone out of their way to make themselves wheelchair accessable.

As for experiences?  I loved every chuch I went to except the ones who had members who insisted on trying to heal me and then when I wasn't they would blame it on lack of faith.

Daniel

[Mission Mama]

I have heard this before also Daniel, but these are not bible based churches in other words they have taken parts of the bible and arranged them to fit their own needs and desires, like a lot of the churches today   to find a church that teaches only biblical principles you must look to the Southern Baptist, not the Baptist mind you but the Southern Baptist I pray you will find one and remember that there is no perfect church for the people that fill the Church's are not perfect, there was only one perfect one and that is Our Lord Jesus Christ

All the churches I have attended have gone out of their way to make themselves wheelchair accessable.

As for experiences?  I loved every chuch I went to except the ones who had members who insisted on trying to heal me and then when I wasn't they would blame it on lack of faith.

Daniel

[Lori_Roze]

I would love to attend church but I don't drive and the tele-transit service here doesn't run on Sunday. 

[Thomas]

Lori-Roze, sorry this reply is so long in coming. I have attended many different churches over the years. Every Church I have ever been a member of had some sort of transportation ministry. If you find a church you would like to attend simply call the office and explain your need. If the church is worth attending they will be happy to accommodate your need.

[UKRobin]

except the ones who had members who insisted on trying to heal me

Why oh why do they do that? sorry but after 32 years disabled i get very defensive when they offer to pray for me or try to heal me. I dont want their prayers and pity go waste your time on somebody that gives a dam 

[Kelisha]

As long as my church keeps expecting me to stand, kneel, stand, sit, kneel, stand, kneel, stand again, sit, walk, kneel, and stand, it's not all that accessible to me!