Tod Bentley and the Use of Words

Crippled People

As I watch the revival unfold on various video clips, I am continuously awestruck by Mr. Bentley's mockery and overall disrespect of people with disabilities. This disrespect is evidenced not only by his physical assaults on those with illnesses and disabilities or the way he has people do dangerous things to their bodies (having people with back problems twist and turn) by also by his use of the phrase, 'crippled people'.

I do not expect every church leader to keep up with the ever changing list of words used to describe disabilities and how to refer to people who have them. However, I would appreciate it if they at least understood the some of the words they do use in the context of the word's history and how much it has offended and hurt people with disabilities. I asked my mother, who has a physical disability, how she would feel is someone referred to her as a crippled person, and just the question hurt her feelings.

The word 'crippled' is not necessarily a bad word. However, it is an old word, one that connotes past images of how we used to see those with disabilities- helpless, useless, and a drain on society. Yet, many in the Church have been throwing it around a lot, including Todd Bentley, his followers, and the media covering this revival. Why? Who is not aware that referring to people with disabilities as 'crippled people' offensive to many with disabilities these days?

My own thoughts is that it is evidence that much of the Church, not just those who are a part of this revival, has ignored the struggles of those with disabilities. Their whole struggles, struggles of not just physical pain, but the emotional toll of having a disability, the loneliness associated with it, the abuse and rejection many with disabilities face.

Paul wrote about being all things to all people, including becoming weak with those who are weak for the sake of the Gospel, to share the blessing of it (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). To be disabled with those who are disabled means to understand that referring to people as 'crippled people' these days means that those with disabilities will not want to hear the message of the Gospel if they those preaching it to them are hurting their feelings.

For more information on language and disability, visit Disability is Natural's webpage on People FirstLanguage. Also, for a personal perspective on society and disability, read Degree of Disability from the blog Wheelie Catholic.