I have a disabled sister and I am just outraged by this but I feel like I am just upset because I have a disabled sister and am more sensitive to the matter. But...on the other hand I extremely feel like this boy has a right to God. Am I just too worked up about this or do I have a reason to be?
2006-09-11 11:44:31 · 23 answers · asked by typicalbutiluvyou 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes it is discrimination, and yes you have a right to be worked up about it.
I'm sorry for your troubles.
2006-09-11 11:49:52 · answer #1 · answered by Sincere Questioner 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
He is lucky, if he lived 400 years ago they would have burned him at the stake for being possessed by demons. Churches have made a lot of progress over the last 400 years. They are not allowed to kill kids like this any more. The boy is better off without the church. He should go find a group which is not so hateful. Check with your city or Public Library for non-religious youth activities where he won't get discriminated against. Most churches will ignore conditions like this if the parents have enough money, but if they don't a child like this can affect the bottom line and cut into their profit margins.
2006-09-11 19:04:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am a Christian and I am appalled by this church's denial of the boy. Jesus said many things, one being "It is not the well who need a physician, but the sick." It seems to me this church only wants a group of "healthy" (to be defined by them) people in the congregation. I'll bet they would turn down the homeless man in ragged clothes because he doesn't have a $600 suit for church. When I was growing up we had a boy who was blind, deaf, and dumb at our church. I remember thinking "why is he here" - not from a viewpoint of that I don't want him here, but from the viewpoint of "what does he gain"? He can not hear or read the messages, nor can he speak and share any words of wisdom with us. But at the same time, it amazed me that he was there. And I always had the feeling that while he was not hearing or seeing anything, that he was experiencing a connection with God. ALL people should be allowed in church.
2006-09-11 18:58:04 · answer #3 · answered by Guvo 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a serious and difficult problem. The fact is most churches are unprepared to deal with people who are in any way different, not necessarily because they don't want to but because they don't know how. When you consider how long it has taken most churches to make obvious accomodations like adding wheel chair ramps and devices to assist the hard of hearing you can imagine how much longer it will take to accomodate people whose problems are not so simple. I have worked in churches where we had people with a variety of mental, emotional and psychological illnesses. Some of these folks worked out fine and others caused a great deal of difficulty either from being disruptive in services, scaring the children, or simply demanding inordinate amounts of time and attention from the staff. In general these special needs people were most successful at being part of the church when they were accompaned by family members who could take responsibility for them. While the ideal for a church is to be able to welcome "whosover" as Jesus did churches have to deal with practical problems. Some churches have made a special effort and developed ministries especially for people with special needs. A church that does not have people on staff or in the congregation who are trained to work with people who exhibit abnormal behavior can find itself in trouble when someone shows up and does something unpredictable. We have had to call 911 on more than one occasion. I don't know what this autistic boy's behavior patterns are but if people in the church don't know how to communicate with him or if he is subject to outbursts or tantrums what the church is doing by excluding him is unfortunate but it is not simple discrimination.
2006-09-11 19:14:13 · answer #4 · answered by Lleh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This autistic boy Has the Lord Jesus Christ In his heart and maybe the church should know how to handle this but some dont and I would not want my child In this church.
Our church has autistic children and I find them to be a blessing and they are created In the Image Of God.
One child wanted to be baptised and he was such a blessing to us all.We love him very much and we have such a wonderfull pastor.
I hope you find a church that excepts the child and realize that this child Is made In the Image of God.I go to a Baptist church In Conneticut
2006-09-11 18:54:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
That's VERY discriminating. If I were you, I would send a complaint into your local Office of Civil Rights (google it) and they should be able to provide you with some answers pertaining to legalities and such. They could also punish the church for their action of not allowing an autistic person into the church.
2006-09-11 18:48:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
You are not wrong. what kind of so-called church denies anyone entry? this is definitely NOT a christian congregation, but a secular meeting place where people just get together to feel good and important. I can see not letting him in Sundayschool with kids his own age if he can't understand the lessons and is very disruptive, but there are places he could go, possibly with the youngest where the subject being taught is acceptance and togetherness.
2006-09-11 18:50:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it's VERY discriminating. A church should welcome every single soul to worship the Lord. Jesus didn't tell us to share the Word of the Lord with quiet people who can be calm in church. Tell the church members who didn't want him there to listen to the song "If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns. One of the lines says, "Jesus paid much to high a price for us to pick and choose who should come."
2006-09-11 18:51:04 · answer #8 · answered by TJMiler 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You have every reason to be worked up. This goes against everything Jesus taught. He welcomed sinners, prostitutes, the blind, the mute, the deaf, the clean and the unclean.
Some people (including myself) are a little inimidated and a bit predjudiced by conditions like autism or downs syndrome but we should welcome all to Jesus.
He might need some special attention but the church should be able to provide it.
2006-09-11 18:56:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would be outraged as well. What faith is this church? We have a beautiful young man with Downs Syndrome who is an usher at my Church.How special these children are and how close to God!
2006-09-11 18:47:44 · answer #10 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
You have every right to be anygry. I'm angry.
If God sent that boy to that church, then He also has provided someone to lead him. Someone needs to step up & commit to the service God has ordained.
2006-09-11 18:48:36 · answer #11 · answered by azar_and_bath 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋