Catholic society at a top Australian university asks students to vote on whether ‘disabled people are a burden on society’ by putting a stick in yes and no buckets
- Outrage as students asked whether disabled people are burden on society
- The question was posed by the Sydney University Catholic Society on Monday
- University’s Disability Collective condemned the question, called for apology
A Catholic society at one of Australia’s top universities has come under fire after asking students whether disabled people are a burden on society.
The Sydney University Catholic Society posed the question on Monday during their Life Week event, described as ‘a week to celebrate the dignity and beauty of all human life’, and provided ‘yes’ and ‘no’ buckets for students to place their answer.
‘Today we posed two questions: “Is it worth enduring suffering?” and “Are disabled people a burden on society?” Students had a chance to engage with the question by placing a stick in a “yes” or “no” bucket,’ the Catholic Society posted on Facebook.
‘In response to the question, “Are disabled people a burden on society?” students were unanimous on the fact that disabled people are not a burden on society.’
The Sydney University Catholic Society asked students to answer the question ‘Are disabled people a burden on society?’ during their Life Week event
The Sydney University Catholic Society (members are pictured) said during Life Week they engage ‘students on campus about the important life issues in our society’
But the Catholic Society was forced to remove a sign plastered with the question after they ‘encountered a few people who took offence at the question posed’.
‘We understand that this is a sensitive topic as many members of our community are living with a disability, including members, friends and relatives of the Sydney University Catholic Society,’ the Catholic Society wrote on Facebook.
‘Many of us would be aware of prominent intellectuals who would assert that disabled people are a burden.
‘As Catholics, we believe in the fundamental dignity of every human life and the invaluable contribution of every member of society, including those living with a disability.’
The university’s Disability Collective took to Facebook, where they said they ‘strongly condemns this action’ and demanded the Catholic Society issued a public apology.
‘Disabled people are not burdens and disabled students should not be confronted with questions like this on campus,’ the Disability Collective wrote.
When the Sydney University Catholic Society posted about their Life Week event and the questions they posed to students, they received a barrage of comments
Another question posed by the Sydney University Catholic Society on Monday was ‘Is it worth enduring suffering?’
‘We should not have to encounter debates on the worth of our existence on campus.’
The Catholic Society’s Facebook post also attracted a barrage of comments, many of which slammed the group for posing the question.
‘You should be absolutely ashamed. What kind of deranged student society posits the notion that disabled people are somehow a burden?,’ one person commented.
Another said: ‘This is beyond inappropriate. Apologies should be issued to all students with disabilities and the community at large.’
‘This is absolutely disappointing and disgusting,’ was another comment.
One person commented: ‘Nothing wrong with revisiting the reasons for our basic commitments, and teasing out those reasons in the public square, especially if they have greater implications for such important issues as life issues.’
Daily Mail Australia contacted the Catholic Society for comment.
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