What do you think? A 13 year old Minnesota boy with autism recently was banned from attending church due to "disruptive and dangerous behavior." Here are a couple of reponses from the local paper on the topic...what do you think?
Response #1
Why should one person be allowed to totally disrupt a church service regardless of the cause? Attacking other people and urinating in church is totally unacceptable, regardless of this boys affliction. What is wrong with these parents?
Response #2
I have had the same reaction at my Catholic church and school. My son was diagnosed with ADHD while attending K-1st grade at the school. I was told many times by parents that he did not belong there...go to the public school to get the services he needed. His medication kept his behavior at "bay" yet there were other boys in his class who had serious issues. They were not made an example of and successfully completed their schooling. After we left the school, half way through 1st grade, I requested and was denied an application for CCD. My church shunned us yet continually request donations of money! what's wrong with this picture? Where is the Godly attitude of accepting those with afflications...especially the children? Why not offer a special service for those children--adults who suffer with afflications--allow them to be present and participate as much as they possibly are able to do so. Open your hearts and minds..get rid of the shunning attitudes!
Response #3
While I believe that we need to respect the rights of all poeple with or without disabilities they also need to be taught proper behavior. Autism is not an excuse to be violent and spit on others. It sounds as though this family may benefit from some professional help in teaching their some proper social behaviors. If urinating is an issue why doesn't this boy have diapers to wear? Autism can be a very difficult disability but it does not mean that inappropriate behaviors need to be tolerated.
Here is a link to the original article: Click here for original story
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
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8 comments:
The author of responce#3 dose not seem to understand that Autism is not an excuse it is a severe disorder that affects a persons ability to communicate. Do you really believe that anyone with Autism wants to have as you call it "inappropriate behavors"? Its not their choice its a disability.
Thank-You
Jeanette (Kansas)
What a disappointing story!
My son, age 37, started going to church with me at a very young age.
The church and members were very supportive. His autism & MR were very mild then.
After moving to his 1st group home at age 21, he also had a good experience at his new church. (I took him)
When he took a couple of his 'more severe' roommates,I was shocked at the members reactions.
I recommended members read GOD PLAYS PIANO TOO and UNEXPECTED GUESTS AT GODS BANQUET. Great resources.
Now he lives close to us again, but preferred to attend a church that had a smaller 'casual' Saturday p.m. service. He does very well there. Can get up and move around, use the restroom, have a snack & a drink. All without being considered disruptive.
He always sits with the pastors. :)
His staff & I need to get him involved in church activities:
1. because they are great projects and fun things too.
Plus he does want to help others.
2. because he needs to get to know other members better.
Another resource is a Christian Book Store. There's wonderful Sunday School curiculum available for children wth special needs. It does matche the regular lesson topics that are written for typical children by age group.
Free and clear and ready to recieve...Open your arms and hearts and welcome ALL Gods children. I can recall a time when People of color were not welcome in white churches...we are all ashamed of that now. We study history because there are lessons in the past. What a shame that CHRISTians should act this way!
The church has a history of exclusion. This is disappointing but in a way expected, modern Christians often take “the we’re getting into heaven and there’s only so much room approach” to life, forgetting about the love one another, do unto others as you’d have them do unto you, Jesus and the lepers. To let this group of individual’s keep faith out of this young mans life, would be a travesty. The focus needs to be not on the reprehensible behaviors (as seen from all parties points of view) but what are the solutions to this situation, try another church or get a mediator to help the congregation see the shamefulness of their actions. I am not a Christian – I believe in the simple idea that we should all be our own deities.
with hopes for a positive resolution
Nadine (new york)
I would suggest that this young man's behavior has little to do with his diagnosis. I read about his parents restraining him, and other "behavioral"approaches being used. Remember behavior is always communication! Maybe instead of kicking him out the church should lokk at how they can support and help the family and in turn be helpful to this young man.
for anonymous...
Thank you for the focus. In situations like this my first reaction is: Hey who gives them the right to treat another human being like that? Blame and name calling are much easier than coming up with a solution. That being said, these folks need to walk the walk. If they profess to be Christian then for Gods sake ACT like Christians! The solution I see is just that, Make up your mind if you are going to be a Church or a club. If it is a club you want set membership parameters and go for it. If it is a Church you want to be, then open your arms and welcome ALL Gods children with open hearts and arms.
When I worked in residential there was one man who was fairly disruptive, loud and rude,but he wanted to go to Church every Sunday. We talked with the Pastor of the Church. They had a van and agreed to pick R. up every Sunday and bring him home after. I'm sure R. was disruptive in Church because thats just who he was. R.s physical ailments finally got the better of him. The Pastor from the Church contacted us to see if the family would mind having services there. The family agreed and services were held at the Church where R. attended every sunday. The Church was packed! Standing room only! The eulogys and testimonys lasted a full hour. Everyone had a story to tell about R. He was loved and accepted by the whole congregation. Accepted for what he was not for what he should be!
Tim & Anonymous...........Thank you for your positive input! And AMEN!
My husband and I pastor a church in NC. I also work daily with adults who have physical and mental handicaps. We have several people in our church with special needs. One pastor's wife in the community asked me if we allowed "retarded people" to come to our church. I replied, "Yes, we all are deficient in many ways. Everyone who walks through the doors of the church is "handicapped" in some way. We are MORE ALIKE than we are DIFFERENT!" She really had no response to give me.
Recently one of the people we support wanted to be in the church choir. He approaced me because he could not read and thought for that reason he could not sing in the choir. I gave him a copy of the song on CD. He learned the song and was so jubilant when the choir got up to sing that the entire church was inspired and blessed! Oh what we would have missed out on if our church decided he was a "disruption".
We are all God's children and many men & women have laid down their lives for the freedom and right for EVERYONE to worship as they chose. If this young boy ever comes to our little town in NC, he is more than welcome to come to my church!!!
Sissy (Forest City, North Carolina)
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