[Faith-talk] The blind and church

Mon Apr 9 04:03:50 UTC 2012

Hi.

I've never had issues taking communion with my dog.  She is so tired
in church that if we have to go and get it, she'll just stand still
while I take it and sit if I ask her to.  I've had my dog around
buffets and take her to the cafiteria at school, and she is very
well-behaved.  I also take my dog up on stage with me when I sing with
the choir--I guess I should say we work up there because I've taught
her to follow the line going out.  :)

I would not go to a church where I was not accepted with my dog, and I
would not go to a church where I had to deal with negative attitudes
about my blindness.  I have to deal with hesitant, over helpful, and
overly curious attitudes all the time at church, but if I ran into
negative attitudes there, the pastor and I would be having a chat.
That sounded really threatening, and I don't mean it that way, but we
are all Christians and should join in the worship experience together.
 Denying someone the right to worship with you on the basis of
disability is just flat wrong.  Honestly, denying worship to anyone is
wrong.

Ok...  Rant over.

On 4/8/12, tina birenbaum <tinabir at samobile.net> wrote:
> Well, I'm new to this list and a former guide dog user. You definitely
> should be at a church where you are accepted. I didn't have issues
> taking my dogs up to communion for the most part, and when there was an
> issue, they were more than happy to bring communion to me so maybe that
> is something she can think about but the bigger part is are you
> accepted in your church in the first place. we should try and be
> Christ-like which means a little more accepting of someone who is or
> does things differently.
> Original message:
>> well, I think she should just look for a church that accepts her. As for
>> the
>> communion thing. I really don't agree with her.
>> She should walk up to the communion table with  a cane or sighted guide.
>> Frankly,  I would not, not want a dog next to me while I took communion!
>> Why? They can smell and take up room.
>> It sounds inconvenient to take a dog up to the table; come on, its narrow,
>> people need to kneel. I would not want a dog's nose in my face or a tail
>> in
>> my way as I kneeled for this sacred time! okay, consider other rights of
>> people too. They have a right to go and not be bothered by dogs. However,
>> and some people are allergic to dogs.
>> she should be permitted to take the dog into the sanctuary. No, people I
>> do
>> not say this is discrimination without the facts.
>> Maybe there is a reason for them barring the dog. I have seen guide dogs
>> that are not well behaved, that  smell  or sit in public grooming
>> themselves; kind of gross.
>> In general I think dogs should be allowed into the sacred sanctuary,
>> provided that they are groomed and quiet.
>> In general, I also think she should sit whereever she wants, not be
>> confined
>> to the
>> back.
>> But again, we do not know the facts of this situation.
>> Also, folks, get your facts straight; churches do not have to follow the
>> ADA. Also, if your building was built prior to the law's inception in
>> 1990,
>> remember the exemption.
>> Many churches were built prior to that time as they are old. If your
>> building was built prior to ADA, you do not have to comply  unless you
>> renovate the building. Its called a grandfather clause.
>> Heck the church I grew up in is probably not ADA compliant.
>
>> Good luck in resolving this.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jeanette
>> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 12:22 AM
>> To: Faith-talk,for the discussion of faith and religion
>> Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] The blind and church
>
>> well she has waited till the week before  Easter to find a church which
>> seems a bit much but to have any church tell her this is appauling to me.
>> however churches are not required to follow the ADA laws in regard to
>> this,
>> t si in the law.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "RJ Sandefur" <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
>> To: "Faith-talk,for the discussion of faith and religion"
>> <faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 9:43 PM
>> Subject: [Faith-talk] The blind and church
>
>
>>> It seems as if I've ran into this problem over and over agan. Blind
>>> people
>>> being denied by the church I've been preaching since 2005, and I've never
>>> once have been denied, and they've assisted me with out my asking for it.
>>> In other words, I do not ask for money. In fact, the last church I
>>> preached, they didn't pay me. One church offered to come to my home and
>>> pick me up. They didn't have to do it for me, but the whole point is God
>>> will provide a way. RJ
>>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
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-- 
Julie McG
 Lindbergh High School class of 2009, National Federation of the Blind
of Missouri recording secretary,
and proud graduate of Guiding Eyes for the Blind

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16