Towards a Theology of Disability Sport: A Misconstrued Game Plan

Effort devoted to exploring a theology of disability sport is not only misdirected but counterproductive to the interests of athletes with a disability. A theology of sport, in a generic sense, has emerged in the context of theologies addressing areas of specific interest and it is this expansive pr...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of disability & religion
1. VerfasserIn: Watts, Graeme (VerfasserIn)
Medienart: Elektronisch Aufsatz
Sprache:Englisch
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Veröffentlicht: Taylor & Francis 2014
In: Journal of disability & religion
Jahr: 2014, Band: 18, Heft: 1, Seiten: 49-63
weitere Schlagwörter:B theology of disability sport
B theology of sport
B theology of disability
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Effort devoted to exploring a theology of disability sport is not only misdirected but counterproductive to the interests of athletes with a disability. A theology of sport, in a generic sense, has emerged in the context of theologies addressing areas of specific interest and it is this expansive process that could promote a theology of disability sport. This prospect is not surprising, and is perhaps seen as being caring and inclusive. Athletes with a disability do need and deserve special attention, recognition and support. In general, people with a disability are often regarded as disadvantaged, sometimes as inferior, not only physically, but socially, and even spiritually. From a spiritual point of view, this reaction has led to disability being linked to moral imperfection, as a punishment for sin, as a test of faith, or as an opportunity for redemption through suffering (Eiesland & Saliers, 1998; Yong, 2011). In response to such concepts there have been calls to explore a theology of disability but this, and I think quite rightly, may be rejected in favor of an inclusive theology of humankind. To pursue a theology of disability sport is to reinforce a familiar reaction towards people with a disability. For the athletes involved, a theology of disability sport may not only be unwelcome but unintentionally discriminatory.
ISSN:2331-253X
Enthält:Enthalten in: Journal of disability & religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/15228967.2014.868995