Disability and Freethinking

I received an email query recently from the Editor Ruth Geller of the Humanist Network News about individuals with disabilities who are non-religious, either agnostic or atheist. Geller hopes to do an article on the topic.

The topic intrigues me too. Disabled freethinkers? There's Harriet McBryde Johnson, of course.

I'm agnostic, as I've said before, though not without a yearning for something more satisfying than saying that I find faith an unpersuasive belief or emotion. Truthfully, I'm not in the same league of freethinkers as people who declare themselves atheists -- I just haven't put the time and effort into examining the issue that I have into, say, disability issues. (Or Things That Crack Me Up.) I feel comfortable calling myself a disability activist and a feminist because I've actively explored both topics and feel reasonably well-read there. Not so with faith, rationalism and belief, yet.

What about you? If you're disabled and consider yourself a freethinker, Geller is interested in talking to you. Contact info here:

Ruth N. Geller, Editor
Humanist Network News

Email: RGeller@humaniststudies.org
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(tel): 518.432.7820 x210
(fax): 518.432.7821
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The Institute for Humanist Studies
48 Howard Street
Albany, New York 12207
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Web site: www.HumanistStudies.org
E-zine: www.HumanistStudies.org/enews/
Podcast: www.HumanistStudies.org/podcast/
Myspace: www.myspace.com/humaniststudies

Or, can you name other atheist or agnostic disabled folks besides McBryde Johnson? Historic figures or contemporaries? (Penny?)

If you're as intrigued by the question as I am, and the general topic of religious beliefs of disabled people, you might also check last May's Disability Blog Carnival on Spirituality and Disability at Ryn Tales.