Published on 12, July, 2020
I just wanted to start a thread to see what the experiences of any other autistic Christians are? As an autistic person who didn't know I was autistic until later life I have had an up and down relationship with my faith over the years. I have had some very bad experiences in church too, I know a lot of autistic people struggle with church for many reasons too.
Im not trying to convert or preach to anyone and I appreciate a lot of people on here aren't religious or anything but it would be really interesting and comforting to hear any experiences of fellow autistic Christians
There's a professor who's doing a lot of work to try and reconcile the church with a better understanding of Autism https://www.abdn.ac.uk/sdhp/divinity-religious-studies/profiles/grant.macaskill#publications I've listened to a few lectures. He's autistic himself and has some really profound things to say.
There's also an ADHD author/professor from Princeton/Yale who has written quite a lot on the church and topics most usually don't know how to approach and I think his perspective is aligned with Autistic thinking https://reknew.org
I believe there is a lot of wisdom found in Jewish teachings as well which easily bridge the social gaps between Autism and NeuroNormative thinking.
I'm Christian.
What an interesting question!
I was baptised Catholic, but went to a Methodist Church as a kid...I always felt the presence of God and found acceptance within the church. I did not know I was autistic until I was 56. As a kid, the church in one way or another.. Brownies, Sunday school, church nature walks, social evenings, provided for my social life. I needed structure, not free play, to socialise. For that I am grateful.
Theologically though, when I hit my teens, for all I still felt God, little Aspie brain could not deal with the logic of the creed. Mahatma Ghandi - not Christain therefore eternally damned despite the deeds of his immense soul; Hitler if confessing Christ as his saviour, despite the blood of so many on his hands- at God's right hand. Nop! Couldn't buy it. God couldn't possibly be so illogical.
In my 30s, I found Spiritualism and reconciled my own psychic experience, love of the Devine and humanity and understanding of other. All paths lead to God and I care not about your creed so long as it gets you where you need to go spiritually. The Spiritualist church too has always been respecting of my differences, though still I did not know I was autistic. And Spiritualist hands on healing has always helped my anxieties when little else could. The Great Spirit knows my need, even when humans don't.
I respect the Christians of my youth, though I have found the path right for me now. As for my autism; the day I was diagnosed, I danced. I danced in gratitude to the NAS who diagnosed me, to my granddad who gave me autistic genes, and to the Great Spirit who created me exactly as I am.
My best mate, I met 30 years ago when she was a copper, now she is an Anglican vicar...she sees purpose in God's design for me, for the next phase of my life, now that I know about my autism. I'm undergoing some challenges at the moment, but you know what? Some how I am going to come through and I sense convert the challenges to the service of others, and therefore the Great Spirit. My life matters now only in as much as I can use the autistic gifts the Great Spirit gave me beyond myself.