Spirituality and Intellectual Disability : International Perspectives on the Effect of Culture and Religion on Healing Body, Mind, and Soul

Spirituality and Intellectual Disability: International Perspectives on the Effect of Culture and Religion on Healing Body, Mind, and Soul provides a cross-cultural outlook on how the three major world religions view people with intellectual disabilities. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are examined in relation to topics such as spiritual health, worship practices, and the development of identity. Chapters on women in Middle Eastern society and the influence of Native Americans on the Christian perspective bring new and refreshing ideas to these under-researched topics. The Roman Catholic Church''s historically shifting view and present-day ideas on persons with intellectual disabilities is discussed, as is Judaism''s attempt to teach intellectually disabled youngsters the meaning of religious symbols. The book also offers creative insights for making religious celebrations more inclusive.

Learn about inclusive religious practices from around the world!

With a multidisciplinary and anthropological perspective, Spirituality and Intellectual Disability: International Perspectives on the Effect of Culture and Religion on Healing Body, Mind, and Soul takes a fresh, innovative look into the world of religious and spiritual practices for the intellectually disabled. Containing vital insights from the first strand on spiritualit and disability at the quadrennial conference of the International Association for Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability (Seattle, 2000), this book provides a framework for bridging the gap between science and faith. It explores the ways in which faith traditions, cultural backgrounds, and professional roles can help bring about a consensus about what spiritual health means within specific cultures and faiths and across disciplines.

This informative book examines and provides cutting-edge information on:

• recognition of spirituality in health care
• defining and assessing spirituality and spiritual supports
• perspectives on intellectual disability from Judiasm, Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Native American spirituality
• creative models of community ministry and religious education
• liturgical celebrations with people who have severe mental disabilities