It happened again...

[BrokenQuill92]

You old hands know my story. I'm your resident blindie. You also know my dad is a deacon at a Penecostal church here in Cleveland. Well me being daddy's girl and wanting to make him happy I decided it wouldn't hurt anything to go to church with him this past Sunday. We were supposed to go first of the year but got a bug. Anyway I sat at the back because my bible is on my phone and I didn't want to be a distraction and I'm already quite obvious in a church of only 40 people. Pastor Singleton whom I normally get along with quite well, and I never thought would embarrass me, did the usual pass the plate, then call to altar. Well in such a small church no one actually comes to the altar. He just comes down the rows. My mother stood up. He comes over to her and I thought he was going say some simple generic bless Sister Sample and her family blah blah... But NO!! He goes on! "Call down a healing on her child! That this infirmity cease. Blah blah. God did not intend blah blah" Well my ears were ringing with rage. I was humiliated. I remember white flashing in front of me. Somehow I made it outside and to the car by myself. And I guess he let church out early after I stormed out. They found me by the car. I think I yelled something about not being anyone's Tiny Tim and they could find their inspiration porn elsewhere. I'm big time at the end of my rope for dealing with with religious people looking down on me. Im not less than anyone. Any advice on how to deal with this more calmly?

[SteelCurtain]

Oh my goodness BQ. I am so sorry they did that to you.

I couldn't even begin to know what I would have done, but I know I would have a serious conversation with my parents about that being the last time I do them the favor of attending a service with them, and that they dealt a massive blow to my trust in them and their integrity with me.

Damn.

[Minimalist]

See, if you weren't a lady this is where the words "GO FUCK YOURSELVES" would come in quite handy!

[c172]

I have spina bifida, as some of you are aware if you read my posts. I ambulate with crutches. I'm called an inspiration all the time for just riding a bus. I am also prey (with an "e") for Christians. Including my PT from a few semesters back, who hooked me up with some Mormon bishop near me. 

All I can say is, I've found a need to choose my battles. I have to let certain things slide, or else I lose my sanity. Last Xmas, some pastor (who for unknown reasons, was using a store scooter) comped my groceries for me. A few years ago, when I participated in a walk for cystic fibrosis, some guy on a bike started pedaling against the foot traffic, and high fived me as I was crutching down the path, yelling "THERE's an inspiration!!!". I nearly fell over, because 1) he high fived me while my hand was using my crutch, and 2) well, he just about knocked me, and several others down with his bike. 

But, it is what it is. Disabled people are likely to lead occasionally odd lives in an able-bodied society. Try to focus on what makes you happy---what makes you human.

[Astonished]

Ask them why god and jesus have to be assholes and arbitrarily play favorites with who they heal of their infirmities of all kinds. Or how you can't enter their celestial country club if you have certain attributes or lack thereof, which they were so kind as to bestow upon people in the first place. I love seeing the looks on their faces when they try to rationalize that monstrous assertion they are making. Or how them praying is an interference in god's divine plan and who are they, these worthless worms deserving of eternal hellfire, to ask for such blessings of which they and every other human are unworthy. Shame the shit out of them for their simultaneous outrageous arrogance and guilt-ridden pseudo-humility.

[BrokenQuill92]

See, if you weren't a lady this is where the words "GO FUCK YOURSELVES" would come in quite handy!

I normally like Pastor Singleton quite a lot even if I disagree with him on a lot. I was was just so shocked that someone who knew me still saw me as a less than. I expected it of strangers.

---

Oh my goodness BQ. I am so sorry they did that to you.

I couldn't even begin to know what I would have done, but I know I would have a serious conversation with my parents about that being the last time I do them the favor of attending a service with them, and that they dealt a massive blow to my trust in them and their integrity with me.

Damn.

That will be the end of my church visits for the year

[Minimalist]

I normally like Pastor Singleton quite a lot even if I disagree with him on a lot.

They can't help themselves, hon.  They have to put on a show for the sheep.

[robvalue]

That's disgraceful, I'm so sorry they did that to you

[Godscreated]

People can be cruel Christian, atheist, Muslim and ect. The world is a cruel place and can be more so for the disabled. A lot of people have good intentions without realizing they have hurt people. I wonder often if I'm saying something that might hurt the young lady my wife and I keep, I know her understanding is severely limited, but it would kill me if I were to hurt her feelings unjustly. BQ hang in there and maybe that pastor will apologize to you, I'm hoping he had better intentions than his thought process at the time. I understand that the Penecostal church is an emotional denomination, though I've never attended one, if so maybe the pastor got carried away emotionally and didn't use his brain. I'm not trying to make excuses for him, I'm just bringing up a couple of scenarios to try and help you find some peace in this situation.

GC

[Cato]

You should ask Pastor Singleton if if your blindness is still to be considered an infirmity if that's the way God wants you. That should make him squirm a bit unless of course he then proclaims to know the mind of God, which would quickly lead to an even more embarrassing exchange for him.

I hate that you had to put up with his self serving charade.