IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PRACTICE (IJRCP )

E-ISSN 2579-0501
P-ISSN 2695-219X
VOL. 8 NO. 3 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/ijrcp.v8.no3.2023.pg1.10

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Ephphatha: Recapturing Jesus' Voice For The Rights Of People With Disabilities (Mark 7:31-37)

Abel Adeyemi Alamu, Ph.D. and Bolaji Olagoke, Ph.D

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Abstract

Different categories of people have variously viewed disabilities in humans through the millennia of human history and existence. From the ancient brutal killing of invalid children to the contemporary exclusion of disabled people in society, it is evident that disabled people are considered the scum of the earth. Though there have been some improvements in how people with disabilities are treated recently due to technological advancement, breakthroughs in medical science, and better theories and advocacies by experts in different fields, challenges still confront people with disabilities, particularly in the area of inclusion in society. Also, the recent noticeable improvement varies from one culture to another, with those nations with solid legal institutions taking the lead while developing countries are at the lowest ebb of the spectrum. It is indisputable that people with disabilities are among the vulnerable and marginalized in the society. Yet, children with disabilities form a significant part of this category of people. This fact requires proper attention to promoting the rights of people with disabilities. While doing this, we must give particular attention to children with disabilities as well. This paper adopts the historical- grammatical method and stresses that Jesus' treatment of the deaf and mute man in Mark 7:31-37, through his pronouncement of "Ephphatha", sets the ground for promoting the rights of people with disabilities. It is instructive also to imbibe the attitude of those who brought the disabled man to Jesus.

keywords:

Disability, Rights, Marginalization, Discrimination, Inclusion

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