"Chosen or stigmatized" - lessons from the past about disability for today
Abstract
Our review presents as an educational science analysis the evaluation of Emese Berzsenyi's book, "Chosen or Stigmatized? – Teachings on Disability in the Sacred Books of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam," published in 2020. Her work provides insights into the teachings related to disability and the perception of disabled individuals within the three Abrahamic religions. What beliefs were held, what was preached, and how did the people of the Scriptures' era relate to otherness? The more ancient and complex a religion's social teachings are, the greater the challenge it presents to uncover the distortions of meaning that have accumulated over time. However, it is our contemporary task to reintegrate these teachings in a renewed, purified form and to dismantle centuries of mistakes, misinterpretations, and misunderstandings. Does this internationally unique research meet its set goals and the expected tasks? This is what we seek to answer as specialists in developmental and special education, and as professionals in educational sciences focused on talent development and talent research.