Published on 12, July, 2020
i am no longer religious, but believe there is a greater propensity for religious belief in people on the spectrum, sometimes to an unhealthy degree. anyway, for fun, was Jesus autistic?
Most knowledgeable mothers would recognise autistic traits in their young son...1. To her face, he called his mum "Woman"2. He went missing, was found debating with adults, and was annoyed that his mother wouldn't automatically know where he was3. He had a meltdown in the temple4. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of scripture
There are problems with diagnosing any historical figure even when we have a reliable documentary record. The gospels are hardly a reliable historical source and there is very little external evidence to show that Jesus even existed.
But let us say that Jesus is real and the gospels are true. What do they reveal? A man who believed he was the son of god, who spoke with angels, claimed to work miracles, acted with complete disregard for his own safety.
There are a number of diagnostic criteria that could apply apart from autism. And how many autistic people are natural leaders and charismatic speakers who attract a mass following? But if we are going to play this game (and it is only a game) surely the outsider, the loner, Judas Iscariot is a more likely contender for an autism diagnosis.