The Parable of the Ableist Kingdom (based on Matthew 25:1-13)
The ableist kingdom is like this. There were ten people, five with various physical disabilities and five without. The people with disabilities were looked down upon as being stupid, worthless and cursed. The people without disabilities perceived themselves as honourable, superior and blessed. The people with disabilities were not allowed to take part in church services, because some of them couldn’t manage the steps at the front, and the loop system was a bit fiddly to work so no-one ever bothered switching it on, and the other members of the congregation didn’t really like having to see truncated arms or hear the slurred pronunciation of the deaf people. The people with disabilities thus didn’t enjoy the security and confidence-building that came with being considered full members of the church community. The people with disabilities said to the people without, “Let us take part in the church services, because we’d love to get to know you better and show you how to sign the Lord’s Prayer”. But the able-bodied people said, “If we’re seen to be associating with you, people might think we’re as dishonourable and cursed as you are. Respect and status are limited goods and there isn’t enough to go around – so we’d like to keep what we have, thank you very much. Maybe you should just have your own church with wheelchair ramps and Braille books and stuff – you’d probably be happier that way anyway, with others like you”. Disheartened, the people with disabilities went away and kept to themselves, since the people in the church didn’t want to know them. They decided to try to find companionship elsewhere, and did find confidence and welcome from the growing accessibility and integration of secular society. The people without disabilities closed the door of their church, although they were very keen on outreach and evangelism, just not to people who looked different or seemed recalcitrant. Later, some of the people with disabilities decided to go back to the church, and said, “Let us be part of you. Let us help you get to know us. Be aware that we’re all involved with one another, and we’re members of the Body of Christ just like you”. The church people said, “Um… okay, we’ll pray for you to be healed, and then you can be just like us”. The people with disabilities said, “We don’t want to be healed. Accept us as we are”. The church people said, “But can’t you see that our bodies are more perfect than yours? There’s no way you can convince us that retarded bodies are as legitimate as ours are”. I tell you, it is this order which is distorted – so keep awake, and look for the order which is for everyone and will wipe away the ableist kingdom.
Susannah Cornwall
