The Ten Commandments of Deaf Culture

For the non-Deaf (missionary, pastor, evangelist, interpreter, etc.) while in the presence of a Deaf person.

I. YOU SHALL NOT PUT "HEARING CULTURE" ABOVE DEAF CULTURE.

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave

II. YOU SHALL NOT LOSE EYE CONTACT WHEN COMMUNICATING.

to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became

III. YOU SHALL COMMUNICATE IN SIGN LANGUAGE AT ALL TIMES.

like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became

IV. YOU SHALL NOT BE THE DEAF PERSON'S SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER.

like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),

V. YOU SHALL NOT BE THE DEAF PERSON'S ENGLISH GRAMMAR TEACHER.

so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law

VI. YOU SHALL NOT BE THE DEAF PERSON'S SPEECH THERAPIST.

I became like one not having the law (though I am not free

VII. YOU SHALL NOT TELL NON-DEAF JOKES AND PUNS.

from God's law but under Christ's law), so as to win those

VIII. YOU SHALL NOT BE THE DEAF PERSON'S "MOTHER."

not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the

IX. YOU SHALL VIEW DEAF AS AN ETHNIC GROUP NOT AS HANDICAPPED.

weak. I have become all thins to all men so that by all

X. YOU SHALL BELIEVE DEAF CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST.

Possible means I might save some." I Corinthians 9:19-22 (NIV)

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