ABLEISM IN THE RELIGIOUS SPHERE: A CRITIQUE OF THE CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Abstract

Ableism, the systemic discrimination and social prejudice against persons with disabilities (PWDs) is so pervasive in every human society, whether religious or secular, that it negates their personhood and makes them feel socially excluded. Miller (2000:117) defines society as "an organized group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural or other purposes ... A body of individuals living as members of a community." If Miller's definition is anything to go by, one is worried why the PWDs in Abia State in particular and Nigeria in immediate society especially the Christian church. Focusing on the contemporary Christian church as a community, this paper studied the life experiences of the PWDs in Umuahia, Abia State with a view to ascertaining why ableism had persisted in spite of favorable scientific innovations and religious teaching of love for God and for one another. It was based on the charity theory of disability. The theory cast the disabled person forever in the “poor unfortunate” role, emphasized and encouraged dependence on others rather than independence. The paper made use of both primary and secondary data collected from personal interviews, books, journal and magazine articles and Internet resources. It concluded that ableism is so permissible in the contemporary Christian church that it has not only caused the PWDs' disinterest in church attendance but also led to the commodification of healing miracles. general continue to experience ableism in their