Autism and Religion: How Autism Influences Spirituality
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- Autistic people interpret the world differently, so why wouldn't that affect the way we interpret our spiritual lives as well? In this video, I share observations and connections I've made from my own personal experiences and how I feel they connect to the autistic community.
👉 🚨 Download my FREE Ultimate Guide to Understanding Autism: www.momonthesp...
💻 🎭 ONLINE COURSE How to Unmask www.momonthesp...
🌟 ⏩ Connect with others like you in an Autistic Connection Group: www.momonthesp...
❤️ 🧡 💛 MY FAVORITE THINGS 💚 💙 💜
ONO Fidget Roller (affiliate link): bit.ly/3xLZnQY (use code: MOMONTHESPECTRUM for 10% off at checkout)
Flare Earbuds for Sensory Overwhelm (affiliate link): www.flareaudio...
Manta Weighted Sleep Mask (affiliate link): bit.ly/3n3l64I (use code: MOMONTHESPECTRUM for 10% off at checkout)
🟥🟧🟨 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL 🟩🟦🟪
1️⃣ If you have been positively impacted by the channel and would like to show your support, you can do so in the following ways 🤗
🟢 Venmo: @TaylorHeaton
🔵 PayPal: paypal.me/MomOnTheSpectrum
2️⃣ MELTDOWN SURVIVAL GUIDE ⭐️✨🤩💃💪
Name Your Price for my custom-created 11-page Meltdown Survival Guide to help you make it through the tough times.
👉 taylorheaton.g...
👏🏻 FREE 👏🏻 WAYS TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT 🦾
🟥 SUBSCRIBE to the channel
🟧 LIKE the videos that are helpful to you
🟨 COMMENT in the comment section
🟩 Click the “bell” to be notified when I release new videos
🙏 Thank you immensely to those of you who have already donated, been active on the channel, and/or purchased the Meltdown Survival Guide!
WhatDreamsAreMadeOf # IsThisMyLife
💻 Resources 📚
Mom on the Spectrum website: www.momonthesp...
CHART - Characteristics of Autistic Females: • Chart of Easily Missed...
Mom on the Spectrum downloadable content: taylorheaton.gumroad.com
Autism and Marriage: • AUTISM AND MARRIAGE 💍💓...
More autism resources: www.embrace-au...
✍️ Notes 📝
Definition of Deconstruction from / evangelicals-faith-dec...
Hafiz poem shared from Wayne Dyer's book: www.amazon.com...
🌱🌿🪴🌱🌿🪴🌱🌿🪴🌱🌿🪴🌱🌿🪴
I'm Tay, a married mom of 2 who was diagnosed with Autism at 31 years old. This was after YEARS of therapy (and all of the self tests in the world!). My diagnosis has brought up questions, frustration, doubt, but most importantly, a new level of self compassion and understanding.
I'm here to share knowledge, resources, and products that empower other neurodivergents (and their loved ones) to live freely and creatively. I'm not a doctor so please speak with your healthcare providers before implementing any recommendations I make on my channel.
Females are under-diagnosed due to lack of research. Please share any videos that are helpful to you so we can spread awareness and acceptance.
Music by Milky Wayvers ("Mountain")
/ milky-wayvers-mountain
#autism #autistic #aspergers
My personal experience is that I was raised Mormon, and I found that when I was religious, I took it SO much more literally and seriously than the NT people I was raised by and around. I didn't understand that most people were just sort of cherry-picking what they liked and skating by on the rest. I had a lot of cognitive dissonance, too, because what was logical to me didn't line up with what the church told me was capital T truth. Leaving the church made me freer because it removed the cognitive dissonance and made the world make a lot more sense. I do find myself relating to the Tao de Jing, and some of the tenets of Buddhism. I think we are connected in ways we can't perceive, but I don't think there's a human-like magical being that put us here.
thanks for sharing your experience here!
I also don't think of God as a human-like magical being. I think of God more like an intelligent creative force or everything good or the harmony in the universe -- much bigger than a human-like being. I think we are made in God's image in that we are conscious, creative beings with free will.
I realised this too not a long time ago. I didn't understand many things unlike NTs, because I took things literally. I also tried to obey all the rules, because we were told that one cannot simply take from the religion what they like, one has to accept it as a whole. But I struggled with many things, e.g. the rule about obeying the parents, which is hard in an abusive relationship. I also did not understand, how others could know they are e.g. heterosexual, when it was sinful to even think about sex. I had many questions and it was ok to doubt, but it's expected that one always "returns" to the Christian point of view. Now I'm deconstructing and fell into depression due to it.
I’m also a former Mormon, and this is similar to my experience. I have a lot of religious trauma from it. I’m almost afraid to explore my spirituality because I’ve been hurt so badly in my lifetime.
I can relate to this. I think I ended up taking everything so literally in the belief system I was raised in and it caused me so much trauma in childhood and I am still unpacking it and trying the heal from it.
"and i really love that the autistic community for me has been a safe place where i feel like i can explore religion and i can explore other ideas and beliefs without this feeling of being wrong or evil for believing something different than someone else"
Its because autism serves as a common identity within the autism community. This tends to smooth over things like religious differences.
Our exclusion is our belonging ❤
This blew my mind! I always notice that in a comment section, I'm often the one understanding two viewpoints and not judging while other people are fiercely defending their viewpoint. Never would have thought this is linked to autism.
But what happens when you are not reading others viewpoints, and expressing your unique one - then someone challenges YOUR viewpoint. How would you react then?
(Genuinely curious.)
@@srldwg yes a paradox for me. Maybe I do panic and get rigid , very destabilising once I've made sense of something. So I avoid conversing.
Interesting because I’ve noticed that many autistic people can get pretty defensive about their viewpoints being challenged especially when they are passionate about a particular topic, and I’m certainly one of them
@srldwg this would be incredible, does someone wanna try with me? Okay so I think God is as aware of us as we are aware of a white blood cell that randomly gains sentience and starts worshipping us.
Yknow how the universe expends and stretches more all the time? Well the idea is at some point it will stretch enough to develop a fourth dimension, or what would be to us a macrocosm. The micro becomes the cosmic, 2d becomes 3d. The universe is a cosmic being. And consciousness is ultimately just the universes way of trying to become aware of itself. Or we were just lucky monkeys that ate really good shrooms😅 I love philosophical debate.
My way of following a conversation is if I consider the words helpful I'll try to listen, if I disagree I'll leave the unknown person alone, if someones doubtlessly confused or needs a similar type of advice I'll try to share my clear insight of the topic, but if it's a person telling someone I support they're wrong I show my strong loyalty for whoever I consider worth my support. Luckily I didn't struggle to gain self-acceptance and I don't blame Autism for communication issues. Plus you're free to be your true self with me, I'm just unique enough that I hardly have anybody join me.
My church has many Autistc children and adults. Even my pastor is on the spectrum. GOD is awesome.
Because he gave them autism? 🤔
God led me to this channel after I left the new age and became a Christian. Turns out, I was attracted to the new age because of my neurodivergence! I am so much more at peace now, I went into a toxic rabbit hole of reserch mode and feel much more grounded now ☺️
@@annagarcia2493 In what way did neurodivergence cause you to be attracted to new age ideas?
@@ChantalM3 I wanted a sense of control since I felt so helpless.
Thanks for sharing, Tay. As a Christian and someone on the spectrum and with ADHD, my religious beliefs have been quite helpful in making me more compassionate with not only myself but others who walk a neurodivergent life daily…and neurotypical too of course. lol.
so good to hear this! thanks for sharing
Hi Tay, as a Pagan my Spirituality involves different facets of nature. Thank you for doing a video on an oft ignored subject. Blessings to you.
I think you discussed this topic very respectfully. I think regardless of whether we're believers or not we are autistic people who should accept and lift each other up. ❤
thank you whitney!!
Taylor, one of the things that keeps me coming back is how open and welcoming of difference you are. I respect that and I respect you.
I was taken to church and dropped off as a child because my mom felt it was good for me. I went to church with my paternal grandparents whenever we visited them. I didn’t ask many questions, just went and listened. I could see that the people in my grandparents church seemed different but that was as far as my childhood journey went. As a person in my 20’s, I was unsatisfied with my life in general. I had a friend who constantly asked me to go to church and I finally did . I felt that same thing I had when going to my grandparents church as a child but this time not just that they seemed different but that I wanted to feel that as well. I have been a Christian for almost 40 years . It has helped me with the struggles in life and in being more accepting of myself and others. I went to church for years but more recently have had anxiety issues around it due to my autism so I watch various services on UA-cam instead.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
@@MomontheSpectrum sure!….thank you for the video !
I can empathize with where you are coming from. I have been a steady church goer up until my anxiety got too difficult in a church setting. Covid helped to reset my anxiety because our services were made available via zoom, and I was finally able to “attend” church again. I am now back at church, but I have to fidget and subtlety rock in my chair. 😂
A lady at church was recently out of mental health facility and coming off her meds. She was weeping on the floor alot. Then they had an healing meeting and she went up.... they tried casting a demon out of her she was moaning alot and leaning back but not whaling about or anything demonic. She went back to her seat after, but then she put her head down hand covered her hands over her face. Like something was wrong. She then stood up and walked away the turned around and dive bombed the ground backwards on purpose smacked her head against the ground. We were all in shock. The people asked why are you deliberately trying to hurt yourself, she said because God told me to do it. Like w.t.h dude, No way.......I don't think it's demons, I think she's going through an identity crisis. Doesn't know who she is.. and skitsaphrena has attached itself to this underlying disorder. Like a personality disorder. Disassociative identity disorder and depression. But the church doesn't know mental health only demon deliverance. Man, it's upsetting to see people get spirituality abuse on top of already unintergrated trauma
I was shipped off to Lakeside Christian School for hellfire and brimstone sermons at age 10. It gave me nothing but years of paranoia.
I tried to do what I was supposed to feel "Saved" but it never happened. People treated me like being able to do it was my own fault.
I concluded that I was born without a God circuit in my brain, and that is why not a single day in my life could I ever feel this wonderful experience.
It took 27 years for the paranoia of hellfire and brimstone sermons to go away. Recently psychologists worked on compiling religious trauma syndrome. My only question was where those people were 25 years ago? I needed it back then.
I am convinced many of the happy Christians aren't that much different from the non Christians who can cheer themselves up with "Power of positive thinking" stuff and placebo effect.
I see more and more kids diagnosed with autism in recent years, and did some Google search today and found the increase is definitely the trend. It was 1 in 44 children in 2018, and increased to 1 in 36 in 2020. Granted the diagnose is easier and the condition is more well known by the public now than before, but I can’t help to think there’s a deeper underlying reason why we see more autistic people nowadays.
The world we are in right now is filled with confrontation, misunderstanding and diversification, etc.; and it needs more someone who live in the most common households and communities to teach people around them this simple philosophy of we are ONE.
To all the autistic people spreading this beautiful message to the world by just being yourselves, thank you. ❤Your mission is already accomplished by your existence. You are doing your best. ❤
My mother is Catholic and on the spectrum as well. She took me to church and vacation bible school but never insisted that I follow any of the teachings. She even offered to get me any religious book I wanted so I could inform myself and choose. In the end I chose none but I do love the research of different ideologies. I recognize their use as social and cultural tools and systems and communities which can, in the right situation, provide healthy routines and training for autistic individuals. It can just as easily be negative, there are plenty of horror stories out there, but I don't hold those situations as justification for the annihilation of the entire faith. At any rate I maintain I'm a religion unto myself. No text has ever matched my personal beliefs and morals and I'm fine with that. Especially because so many of them have so many parallels across the world. I'm fine with who I am and what I believe in and I wish that same peace of mind for everyone no matter how they get to it.
Whoah! I love this!! So great to hear your perspective. I’m very glad you shared this here. So empowering!
The feels on always being an outside observer ❤️❤️🤗🤗
I am a Christian and I am autistic. I struggle with church because I feel like an inadequate outsider. I do engage with the online congregation of a local church and that works for me. Going to church tended to make me ill unfortunately.
I have heard similar stories from others on the autism spectrum! I was interviewed by someone who will be publishing a podcast soon on different experiences within the Christian church from people on the spectrum. You are not alone in this!
@@MomontheSpectrum Look forward to hearing that.
@Alexandra Varga A lot of preaching can be condensed to "you must try harder".
@Alexandra Varga I think there are a lot of cultural issues. Autistic people don't do well at going with the flow or even dealing with loud unexpected noises. Church is one of the most unhelpful settings for me to be in.
Same here. I was comfortable in church as a kid because I grew up in that church and knew most of the people all my life. Ad an adult I’ve never been able to fit in in any church even though I live Jesus immensely and am very close to Him. For me church is painful.
Thank you so much for indulging my video request! Usually on UA-cam it feels like I'm talking to no one when I leave comments on videos (just feeding the engagement algorithm). So it feels really special to know that someone is actually listening on the other side. You handled the topic graciously.
In my previous comment, I mentioned how religion has always felt like a cerebral experience for me, rather than an emotional one. But it sounds like for you at least, you can/do experience spirituality on a more emotional plane. Is that fair to say? Obviously autism is a spectrum, but I'm trying to discover if there are similarities with how others engage with religion and spirituality.
Hmm this is an interesting question! I would say I experience it mostly as a cerebral experience with emotional moments mixed in. The emotional moments have seemed to diminish as I age. I think religion has first and foremost been an intellectual exploration for me.
So glad you feel seen by the video! I appreciate the suggestions. If you missed the live stream after I posted this, it was a continuation on the topic of religion and autism bc there was a lot of good discussion happening in the live premiere of this video. I’ll have that listed as public here again sometime this weekend, hopefully tonight, as I just needed to make a few quick edits. I can tell there is still a lot more to explore here and this topic definitely resonated with this community so thanks so much for suggesting it!
I grew up in a very religious household. Any religion involving belief in a deity is extremely confusing to me. I recently in therapy discovered that I simply took a "fake it till you make it" approach to religion, even so far as seeking out a religious spouse, despite not understanding it myself. After I was able to share my true understanding, I sought an Autism diagnosis and was Diagnosed at the age of 37. We are currently struggling in couples therapy. I always felt that so many people I looked up to and respected were religious, so I should be too, and I answered religious questions vaguely so as not to outright lie, but imply I was far more religious than I understand. I took a small comfort in the idea that if there is a deity who made me, it knows all my thoughts and made me the way I am, and therefore knows that I am doing the best I can to understand with my experience of existence. Religion basically stresses me out, and I am actually confused how in your video you compare belief in a deity to focusing on your breath? I've done some mindfulness meditation training and I like it, it doesn't ask me to believe in anything, just to practice using my mind and body in a certain way that's helpful. Thank you for making your channel, it's been helpful to me!
Hi. I will share something here, unsolicited... I have searched for real asnwers about why things are the way they are, is there a God, does He really care or love us and so much more. Maybe since highschool I have been trying to learn the truth. The truth it is a single Great One which tells us what all the other truths or answers are. The Trinity is real and They are the only ones. After searching through almost all relgions amd cultures and after much suffering I have come to believe and know that God is who He says He Is and Lord Jesus is the way to going back to God. Sure, there are people in other religions that keep Gods laws without being Christians so they live as they should. God loves His whole creation and wants the best for every single being. So, sinning is against His way of being and any creature that sins must perish. Sin is absence of love and love is what is needed everywhere. Its hard to understand why God let us come to life knowing we would go through this. But He did love us as His creation and did all He could to keep us, to keep as many as possible. But as we have free will, we choose what we want. Yes, He knew, but He came and died for us through His Son. A being who could not die came and died for us. That is love and that blood was the only one who could erase everything we did. There are laws which everybody have to follow for the sake of all and those that rebell up until the end...will unfortunately be cremated alive. Hard, but fair after all considerations. Real hard but required for balance and peace for all. I wasted so much time through all these new age teqniques and fake stuff and reincarnation and many others....I dont want others to miss that time because we are approaching the end, its right around the corner. The signs are everywhere and I hope I can help someone see the truth. He gave us so much and asked little of us. We are nothing without Him and He is more than entitled to receive some of the love back. We sin because we dont keep a relationship with Him. Most of us are weak and without His guidance we cant act as we really should. I will end here and say how much I wish I believed this sooner. I wouldnt be în such a messy situation. But maybe I needed all this suffering to really believe. And also understand others and growing în love for them. We all suffer, we all need healing and most of us need saving. May we be able to receive that unbelievable gift which is extended to everyone. Reach out in love for that is the way, în anything you do. ❤❤❤
Hi. I will share something here, unsolicited... I have searched for real asnwers about why things are the way they are, is there a God, does He really care or love us and so much more. Maybe since highschool I have been trying to learn the truth. The truth it is a single Great One which tells us what all the other truths or answers are. The Trinity is real and They are the only ones. After searching through almost all relgions amd cultures and after much suffering I have come to believe and know that God is who He says He Is and Lord Jesus is the way to going back to God. Sure, there are people in other religions that keep Gods laws without being Christians so they live as they should. God loves His whole creation and wants the best for every single being. So, sinning is against His way of being and any creature that sins must perish. Sin is absence of love and love is what is needed everywhere. Its hard to understand why God let us come to life knowing we would go through this. But He did love us as His creation and did all He could to keep us, to keep as many as possible. But as we have free will, we choose what we want. Yes, He knew, but He came and died for us through His Son. A being who could not die came and died for us. That is love and that blood was the only one who could erase everything we did. There are laws which everybody have to follow for the sake of all and those that rebell up until the end...will unfortunately be cremated alive. Hard, but fair after all considerations. Real hard but required for balance and peace for all. I wasted so much time through all these new age teqniques and fake stuff and reincarnation and many others....I dont want others to miss that time because we are approaching the end, its right around the corner. The signs are everywhere and I hope I can help someone see the truth. He gave us so much and asked little of us. We are nothing without Him and He is more than entitled to receive some of the love back. We sin because we dont keep a relationship with Him. Most of us are weak and without His guidance we cant act as we really should. I will end here and say how much I wish I believed this sooner. I wouldnt be în such a messy situation. But maybe I needed all this suffering to really believe. And also understand others and growing în love for them. We all suffer, we all need healing and most of us need saving. May we be able to receive that unbelievable gift which is extended to everyone. Reach out in love for that is the way, în anything you do. ❤❤❤
Thank you for this video. I'm a mom who is a believer of Jesus Christ and I need a community so bad. Having a daughter with autism is .... Trying my faith feels inconsistent yet I'm chasing God
💜
I spent 40 years deeply exploring every sort of spiritual and secular path I could find, and finally converted to Catholicism. I am a traditional, orthodox, latin mass Catholic. I converted because I had concluded that it is The Truth and have been very pleasantly surprised to find that my parish life is the an autistic friendly community beyond my wildest dreams. The fact that this is so is the final confirmation (pun intended) of my conclusion for a reason that my fellow autists can well understand: order is truth. Being correct about human nature and correct about God are one and the same, and autism fits right in.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalm 139
It is the truth. Do you know about Bishop Williamson? He’s one of the best minds about traditional Catholicism, an amazing resource.
@@Seánybruv yes, discerning the issue will Williamson is beyond my pay grade, but I like him
I love this, I'm a Baha'i and this makes me think of a quote: "Consider the flowers of a garden. Though differing in kind, color, form and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one sun, this diversity increaseth their charm and addeth unto their beauty. How unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the leaves and blossoms, the fruit, the branches and the trees of that garden were all of the same shape and color! Diversity of hues, form and shape enricheth and adorneth the garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof. In like manner, when divers shades of thought, temperament and character, are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest."
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 41
Don´t know much about Bahaism, but what i heard was always very nice and including.
I am a Christian on the spectrum so always thankful for videos like these! TY God Bless!
I am a Christian and nero divergent I just wish that people of different beliefs could get along and agree to disagree without hate . I feel like so much media poses as an us against them additude. And I just think that we can all have respect for each other , And kindness to each other .
Atheist here! (Was raised that way and have never felt the pull of religion though I do find it fascinating!)
I think we, as neuro divergent people, can be so absorbed into trying to understand our own psychology and those of others that religion offers that much more information on how people through decades and centuries have found purpose, identity and love thanks to their faith.
(Plus, as a visual artist, I have to say, all the gorgeous artworks that have been created to honour different deities and illustrate segments of religious tales just AH BEAUTIFUL!!)
I wish every respectful religious person here the best journey through life they can have; may your faith guide you towards the most wonderful future you could hope for ✨❤️
💓
Thank You and I also embrace You being atheist💚
There is a Catholic priest named Fr. Matthew Schneider, LC. He was diagnosed an autistic after his priestly ordination.
thanks for sharing that ☺
Religion has and continues to be a key feature of my life, and since it's near and dear to my heart I'll probably overshare and make this a very long comment! lol. I was raised Catholic and through several iterations of Christianity I found my way into Charismatic Christianity. There's been a lot of rough experiences but I finally found a church that accepts and appreciates me in all of my quirkiness. My church values authenticity and encourages and embraces "weirdos." We have a saying: "Your preference isn't my prophecy and if it's not illegal, immoral, unethical or unbiblical I'm gonna do it!" We have people with all sorts of tattoos, weird hair colors and personalities. My pastor affirms that a lot of the odd people that society has cast out are the prophets, seers and spiritually gifted people. And I think part of my calling is to educate about neurodivergent christianity ... to show that there's a place in the body of Christ for those of us who just get discounted as skeptics. And to educate that there are many different ways to experience God. It's funny--when people in my church get filled with the Holy Spirit their experiences sound similar to the way I live life daily: they get overwhelmed by sight, touch, smells, taste, sounds, thoughts ... their reaction often looks like me when I have a meltdown. When I get filled with the Holy Spirit I just get a few tears but everything gets hyperfocused and clear and I DON'T feel overwhelmed.
I believe that the Holy Spirit lead me to the revelation that I am autistic and as I processed this new discovery with him he showed me a military metaphor (I'm a military veteran): Most people in the military are issued an M-16 or M-4 ... it's a good general rifle that's capable of shooting bursts of several rounds and has a magazine attached. Fewer people operate machine guns that are capable of shooting hundreds of rounds at a time. But even fewer are issued sniper rifles. A sniper rifle is a bolt-action weapon; it only shoots one round at a time. The sniper does their mission apart from the rest of group in teams of 2; they are stealthy, quiet and still for a long time. They see and perceive things that no one else does. They're level-headed and objective and they have their own good discernment to take one accurate shot. I've been running with the infantry with my sniper rifle and feeling like I suck at infantry and at life. God showed me that I have a different mission and I was issued a different weapon. Now that I'm in position as a sniper, I don't feel guilty that I'm only shooting one round at a time (I'm not serving in multiple ministries) or that I'm away from the rest of the group when I'm on mission. Now that I'm doing the mission I was created to do, I have accepted myself. The cool thing is that my church affirms me in this. I hope that there can be more visibility for neurodivergent people in Christianity. My church really empowers laypeople so I want to use this freedom to educate. We're getting ready to do a new buildout and I want to see if I can influence them to make it more autism-friendly by not using flourescent lights, having a "quiet room" for sensory overload, and stuff like that. I know they're talking about building a sensory room for autistic children.
This is wonderful! And I spent some time in the charismatic church as well. Love this metaphor and so glad you’ve found something that brings you life!
May I ask what ministry you fit in? I have struggled to find a place that is a good fit and not overwhelming
@@nicoleh6519 The cleaning crew has been a good place for me, but with all of the changes going on in our church buildout I find even that's been difficult. Intercessory prayer I think is a great place for Autistic People--it's kind of a solitary task but still SUPER important. All of the things I feel Autistic people excel in like observation, patience, focus, routine, etc. makes for a good prayer warrior. It's very behind-the-scenes, but incredibly important. I find that the more "behind-the-scenes" ministries are the best ones for me personally.
Hm. Interesting. I can´t relate to the military thing because I am a pacifist (having a friend who is an officer at Bundeswehr because she wanted to study there, so I totally tolerate other decisions but can´t understand the concept of how to be able to hurt someone because someone tells you to do so, I even don´t want to shoot a real weapon on a fair, but can imagine to kill someone out of personal anger but don´t want to do so) and the charismatic churches I know here in Germany are very narrowminded and conservative with this added spritual thing for me feels very far away, but I like that tattoo and embracing everyones spritual language thing. And working with mental ill, drug addicted, homeless people I share the idea of some of them being kind of prophets.
Your church sounds very different from that charismatic churches I´ve seen and I like how open they are. What You told about your experience is VERY interesting for me. I don´t know if that is what You mean, but if I experience a rare moment of revelation it feels like I am very wide open, hear, feel, taste etc. cristal clear, my spine stretches sitting in a bench and all the disturbing noises around are banned, it is just kind of calming purity. Years ago I had this experience visiting the nuns at a partner catholic church (I am protestant and where I lived we had a co-op at an nazi-dictatorship-memorial-center near a famous former prison here in Berlin, so it was a common thing to take part at each others services). We were singing traditional chorals and then there was a silence break where the bell was ringing. To listen to the vibrations of the bell sound caused that like out-of-body-experience. I was very happy but it calmed me also down and it was very special for me beeing a sceptic sience loving thinking person. Like to feel "I saw it all", a moment of whisdom and clarity described in buddism at monks in books or movies.
But it was just a single moment, sadly I am still just a normal human😅, far away from "whisdom". The other spiritual moments I feel god is when something I fighted very long in my intellectual way of understanding something emotional and always struggel to do so and then there is that moment I don´t fight to get through and a door opens, I meet people who help me sea clear on this specific topic or I find something and without any fight I finally understand. Like You shake on a closed door to open it like a lunatic and then giving up and living your life coincedently standing on this same door and it opens up to show some other open doors behind and have a new area to live and seek knowledge in. Like god says, "Hey, nice You gave up fighting and gave me the chance to show you the way to open up that door, poor little human. I told You before I am very willing to assist You. Sometimes it´s a bit annoying how You ignore me always again, but hey, that´s okay as I am god and not a resentful human. Maybe You remember next time, if not I have endless time." I like the idea of god having humor.
It is a bit difficult to explain what I mean in english, so I hope You or someone else reading this can get what I mean, I tried my best.
I was diagnosed with autism as well, but through school only as a child. Im still in denial about it, I believe I have social anxiety disorder and other disorders. I have been diagnosed by an actual doctor with depression and hypothyroidism. So I just personally think I have mental health issues and that is why I am different from other people. I dont believe Im autistic. Also I am highly religious and have changed my religious views very often througout life. I have a daughter and she seems to be "different" like me as well. I just personally have gotten a bad rep if people know im autistic. Because most people think we're retarded and make fun. So thats why I dont accept ir if I am
This is one of the most honest comments about autism I've seen. I was diagnosed at 42. It's been over a yr and I feel like you. There are times where it's like ok I'm autistic that's why I did this or feel like that but other times where I'm like I can't be. How would I not know I'm autistic until middle age. Like you said, the stigma a lot of ppl have about autism. That scares me with sharing about it too. You're not alone with what you're feeling. I definitely get it.
Love love love this! I too love discussing religion and philosophy. I was also raised ad hardcore conservative evangelical in a small town in middle of nowhere Kansas and didnt branch out until taking a college course on religion and philosophy - mind blowing! World altering! Ever since 17, I’ve been on a journey with major ebbs and flows but I’ve always remained curious. Thanks for continuing the conversation 🤗
“Always remained curious.” I feel that’s so important! Thanks for sharing.
I am not, nor I ever been (nor will be) religious but I appreciated your perspective and this discussion about autism and faith.
Thanks for your comment!
Go to all faiths and try to learn their sacred texts in the language to try draw close to Gd. Diagnosed but thought interest in religion was a sign of misdiagnosis. So thanks. Good to know can be compatible.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! ❤ We really appreciate the research, time, and vulnerability you invest. 😊
I’m high function autism and I’m buddhist and I’ve read the toa te Ching and it helps me everyday
it's a wonderful script to come back to over and over again!
Yes I like religious texts possibly in part cos they are naturally the sort of thing it's ok to go over and over the same text.
I know weird but at mo my rel text is Euclid cos tutoring maths at mo, but reads as rel text I feel god is between the lines of the deductions somehow. And yet if really am autistic, as per diagnosis, isn't that bit out of character. Maybe I'm not really?
But then as I read wittingstein, I think this was an insight he was captivated with too, and he is often seen as the most classically autistic of the classical philosophers ?
I have always loved learning about religion and spirituality--my parents encouraged us to explore them all as children. I considered myself Buddhist for many years and still consider it to be a significant influence on how I approach the world. I became a Christian in 2018 because I love Jesus' teachings of unending love and acceptance, but it was a long, loooong journey to get there. I'm bisexual and trans and have had several really terrible experiences with Christians, and the church in general, because of it. It turned me away for many years and made me feel so confused and hurt because I always heard that God loves everyone, so why couldn't God love me? My husband's family was a big part in me seeing what God's love really is ❤️
There was also another significant influence on my faith journey, and a rather unusual one, at that: Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Throughout seven seasons, the show explores the Bajoran religious beliefs and spirituality and two characters' relationships to it on particular: Captain Sisko, a human who is essentially (at times unwillingly) the Bajoran Messiah, and Major Kira, a devout Bajoran who was also a freedom fighter during a decades long genocide against her people. The show's exploration of Kira's devotion to The Prophets helped me synthesize and understand my own feelings on faith and what it means to me to believe in a higher power.
I still don't really know how to think about or conceptualize or believe in a creator God, but I think that's okay. I'm groovy with Jesus, and I know Jesus loves me, no matter who I am, or love, or how I present myself. ❤️
💜
Hi Tay, thank you for this video. This is my experience with religion. I grew up in a very religious country. I was discriminated against because I'm autistic, but being an unbaptized atheist caused me troubles since elementary school. Teachers encourage my schoolmates to be mean and also violent to "correct" me. That's why I felt uncomfortable among religious people for a very long time. People like me are very uncommon here, I met just one unbaptized person in my whole life. Nowadays I'm still an atheist and I believe in science, but I respect every faith.
I am so sorry that happened to you. Stories like that hurt me very deeply. I don't believe in being mean to people for any reason.
P.S. I also believe in science. And I have faith. Both at once.
@@sueannevangalen5186 I really appreciate your solidarity, thank you for your kindness.
I’m so sorry to hear about these experiences. It makes me sad and I am sorry you had to endure these things.
@@MomontheSpectrum Thank you Tay. The autistic community is awesome and very supportive.
I loved this video! I have a similar religious background and I can relate to having had to deconstruct a lot... It's been three years and I'm finally getting to a better place, having practices that are healthy for me that don't damage my sense of self anymore.
I know it can be such a looooooong a confusing process. One that honestly I guess will keep unfolding for a while. So happy to hear you feel you are in a healthier place.
God helped me find you. God helped me find Orion Kelly. There was absolutely zero reason to click on you video. But i did and i found me. This community. I'm so happy God talks to me and I listen. 🙏🏼
I'm so glad! Thank you for your comment!
Hey! I'm an Orthodox Jew. My autism and my Jewish expression are inextricably linked. I plan to make a video on that, but I haven't done that one yet. Have you heard of Aucademy? I've been wanting to do a video with them on autism and religion, but I felt that a panel discussion with people with diverse religious backgrounds (both how they were raised and how they feel about how they were raised) would suit the topic best. We haven't gotten a group together yet for it. If you're interested, drop them a line to let them know. 🙂
I've also found the autistic community to be rather hit and miss when it comes to religious tolerance. I'm grateful that I haven't run into much missionary proselytizing in autistic spaces. But I have run into a lot of instances where people who were traumatized by xtian upbringings lump all religious traditions together as a moral failing. These individuals tend to ridicule anyone who points out that conflating all religions with xtianity upholds the xtian supremacy they are trying to escape.
Thanks for the info!
Puh, I had to look up a lot of vocabulary being german-argentinian but it was definitly worth it(No, my argentinian dad comes from an italian family that lived there since 19th century, he had to flee after beeing tortured and came to Germany after years living nearly everywhere. I know that many people think of the rat line after WWII if I tell I am half half and as You are jewish I feel that instant not logic "german guilt" combined with the argentinian guilt of born later people even more and feel a need to explain. I am sorry if that bothers You. I guess it´s kind of a reflex of the third generation feeling very guilty to be german at all. But my german grandparents unfortunatly HAD been nazis, luckily they died very early when I was a child not knowing they disliked me beeing "mixed". This is why I am very interested in jewish religion but would never allow myself to convert. I don´t believe Jesus was the son of god and that he was resurrected (wich is the definition of beeing a christian to believe in both), but he was a very intelligent rabbi teaching people that god isn´t a god to just fear, but to love each other as god loves people. And I love the idea to discuss religious questions constantly with a priest/pastor/rabbi, I miss that a lot in christianity. Having also ADHD I sometimes want to ask something loud during a sermon or think we should all discuss about after, but sadly I seem to be the only one. I love rituals and there is a time for just contemplate and join. But there is an endless need to ask questions about bible texts and other religious texts and for me it was not "enough" beeing taught in baptizm class or religion classes at school. Maybe my idea of beeing jewish means to discuss religious topics livelong with your rabbi is wrong, but this is what I learned and liked a lot from childhood on. If I am totally wrong please correct me. Michael Blume explained that jewism is the alphabet-religion as it was very important from the beginning that every child boy* or girl* or whatever is teached to read and write to be able to seek knowledge. I mean that doesn´t solve every problem but it gives a lot of good possibilities.). I agree and would be very interested in that video. Please share if You did something like You planned in between.
I looked also up that Aucademy page and will start reading there after I finished this comment section.
Yes !! Take me at my word !! I’m always real. I have ZERO game. Show up to me as your genuine self and we will be fine ! I’m a fiercely loyal friend and Tiger of a parent.
I am in the spectrum and religion has been a challenging topic. As of now I am agnostic although I pray on a somewhat inconsistent basis. When depression hits I get angry at God. Having autism coupled with bipolar has made me question the Christian faith. I have heard two preachers clearly state that anxiety, depression and mental health issues are the result of sin. They further stated that people with any of the previously mentioned conditions need God in their life and that medication is not the answer. Church leaders and Christians (in general) need to understand that mental health issues are a disease of the brain. There are people that believe that autism is the result of sin. I wish church leaders and their members would think before they speak. I really want to tell these people that God allowed these things in my life. I am really starting to think that the Bible is nothing more than a work of fiction and that the church is an institution that forces indoctrination on society as a means of control which influences how we think, act and behave.
I was raised Episcopalian (father and maternal grandfather both Episcopal priests), and in my 40's left Christianity and became a pagan, which is what I feel I truly am, and always was. A polytheist. I have never believed in "one truth". I discovered I was autistic (Asperger's) by watching a video by a young woman who was ADD and Asperger's. (I was adopted; learned from my bio half-sister that ADD ran in the family). One of the reasons I became pagan was that I am a Medium, psychic abilities were always present in me, and from what I observed in life, Christianity was not friendly to people who had psychic abilities. Hmm...what else? Oh, yes. I'm bisexual, which is also apparently not uncommon in autistic people. Still learning, in my early 60's. Was never a Mom, though. Liked your video. Thanks for sharing it!
Thank you for sharing and well said. The community is not perfect but that is the beautiful part--we know we are not. I have found far more acceptance, love and mutual respect than I ever did in the Christian evangelical church….sad to say but very true.
Very interesting topic, I am a non religious person. I had the opportunity to participate in church growing up and went to a. Christian high school but as much as I enjoyed the comparative study of religion and can appreciate the things faith brings to people's lives it's not what I believe. I believe strongly in freedom of religion AND freedom from religion.
I'm not spiritual or religious. To me, there is simply no reason to believe in divine beings, forces beyond the physical world, or even a kind of plan behind the Universe. For me, it doesn't really explain anything. However, I am intrigued by this way of thinking from a scientific perspective as a cultural phenomenon. Philosophy is yet another thing. I was always very interested in it as a discipline of logic and as a set of attempts to explain the world.
Not so much believe as tuning into another dimension, which sounds like nonsense of course. Flews falsification and all that I would expect to be more instinctually autistic.
Well, I agree, but...yes a but...I choose too work on my religion in a scientific way, theologically. That works for me. The official protestant church is very open minded here in the north (mostly!). There are things I don´t believe but that doesn´t bother me. I needed the concept of a god that knows the truth and is fair as I had to experience very big injustice and knew there would be no justice in future in my life. Not to feel I have to kill myself or others who did this I DECIDED to give this to god. As I always like science and logic, intellectual ways to face topics I decided to take my home-religion in a most liberal branch and then work on it like on another topic. I don´t know if I was able to explain that in english, I hope it came clear what I meant. But I don´t think there is a need for everybody to believe in a god or many gods or whatever and there is no right religion. Most of my friends are atheists, some have other religions then me and I am very fine with it if everybody is friendly and open-minded. If there is a god (the god I imagina) she/he/whatever would prefer peaceful atheists definitly before angry fundamentals.
Thank you for that wonderful Hafiz poem. He and Rumi are big favorites. I am just opening up to the possibility that I may be on or near the spectrum. The lived experiences that have led me to explore this have been challenging to say the least. The religion in my childhood home was evangelical Christian, and I took it very seriously. There came a time when that belief system was no longer a fit for me. It took almost twenty years for me to open my heart to Our Great Mother. I have been a Pagan for over twenty-five years and a Wiccan High Priestess for about twenty. Now I have spiraled back to a religion that includes a more mystical version of Christianity. From the Amazonian jungle, It's expansive and inclusive, starting with shamanic plant medicines and incorporating spiritism, African animism as expressed in Brazilian Umbanda, and folk Catholicism. I have never experienced such love and acceptance in my life. I am of the opinion that being spiritually oriented has been immensely beneficial for me.
Even with Autistic issues I'm tolerant, do what you like. believe what you want to. It's the violence of the world I can't stand. But in my spirituality results I can't give up helping nature either. It was at age 5 I understood guardian angel explanation, and then with stuff like fairies, deities, animals, and elves I easily understand the similarities. I don't have a hard time visualizing self contact being common in the brain.
Taylor, thank you for this video. As a late diagnosed Autistic Person, so much of what you share is very relatable.. to me at least, and judging from the comments in your other videos, a whole lot of others as well. As far as spirituality and religion are concerned, I was raised Catholic, but when I started to see the world through my science goggles, I could no longer follow that path. I became a self proclaimed atheist. I studied Cosmology, Physics, and Biology in high school and college. Once I discovered Quantum Physics and Theoretical Physics, my perspective changed once again. This time, I felt a connection to everything. It was based on my understanding of multidimensional reality and the sensory (and cognitive) limitations of the 3 dimensions we seemingly reside within. I see consciousness as a singularity that presents the illusion of separation by the 3 dimensional vessel in which it is contained, and spacetime for the impressive illusion that it is. One of my college professors once said to me "I am amazed that you are able to wrap your mind around these concepts the way that you do. I am only able to do the math. I am good at it, but I just don't have the intuitive perspective you do with this subject matter. Not many people do." I explained how it had become my new spirituality, and why. I'm not sure how that was received though. Like many others on the spectrum, this is a weak point for me.
I’m glad you feel this from the autism community! I am autistic and Christian and definitely have the capacity to offer acceptance more than others in my general spiritual community … however, I’ve noticed a lot of religious OCD co-occurring with autism. That’s what I was searching for when your video came up but I’m glad I watched this as well.
My introduction to Taoism was the book: The Tao of Pooh. Great way to look at it. (Btw…the t is soft and pronounced like a soft d sound). I reread the Tao te Ching every once and again. It is a reminder to stay centered and see the balance of everything.
Thanks for this info and the clarification!
HAHA, I thaught of exactly that book that they had in the WG (don´t know how to call in english, a flat were adults live together in a group of people sharing an equal way of life like a chosen family?) of an ex! And thaught I should buy this for myself now. Also like Rilke, Rumi and Hafiz too.
I've wondered if this contributed to me taking everything I was taught about religion/ hell/ the devil so literally. It caused me enormous religious trauma as a child, I grew up utterly petrified convinced that I would be left behind in the rapture because I didn't complete the 7 earthly experiences that the cult i grew up in believed you must complete to be saved and go to heaven. I was 11. I spend countless nights terrified that some evil thing was out to get me literally because that was what I was taught. I believed it unquestionably. Then ine day my dad annouced everything we believed in was a lie, and i could not understand.
I struggle now with religion. I have ended up kind of making a mix of beliefs pulled from various practices. But I also remain somewhta detached from it all now because of what I went through as a child.
Puh, that sounds horrible what You had to go threw! I get this thing of wanting adifferent believe then the one You struggled with and then collect a bit here and there (it´s called Syncretism). My need to keep things ordered made me to decide one religion and then start it in a scientific way reading, discussing, etc.
Cool video. I grew up going to church every Sunday but I wouldn’t say it was a religious household. My parents wanted us to find our own philosophy. To quote the Big Bang Theory “I don’t have a problem with the concept of a deity, just one that takes attendance. “ I enjoy reading about different religions as I find great beauty in the various text. Most teach love, ethics, kindness etc. What I find odd is that regardless of their teachings most conflicts on our planet are because of religion.
Love the quote! And great point about the paradox of religious teachings vs global conflict.
I was not diagnosed till 54,I also struggled with adhd,,and bad. I have felt like Helen Keller, stuck somewhere within myself. Relieving this diagnosis has brought me light to my very dark world. Your videos help me so much so I thank you and ask you to keep up the good work oh and I wanted to mention that I feel my autism allows me to be very sensitive to energy. I am a reiki 2 energy healer and a very strong Christian woman. All energy comes from God and I am a healer. I went from being a nurse in a large hospital to being a healer of the soul. And it's my autism that keys me in and allows me to do so.
LOVE THIS SO MUCH DIANA! So cool that you're a reiki healer. Thank you for using your gifts to help others.
I would have to kindly disagree. Reiki healing is a new age practice which also ties into witchcraft, witchcraft is demonic. I was athiest my whole life and had terrible anxiety and depression and suicidal thoughts, and suicidal attempts. I was into new age practices like yourself only to come find out that it’s demonic. I don’t want my fellow sisters in Christ to be deceived. I shouldn’t say that without explaining why but there is not enough room on here. I understand that Reiki healing can seem good, but trust me, coming from someone who cares about your soul and who you are, it’s not. Please please don’t see this as judgmental. I was into all that stuff, tarot card reading, crystals, etc. I quickly found out that I was being deceived. Watch testimonies on UA-cam of people who came from new age to Christianity. I was recently diagnosed with autism, and one night while I was athiest and severely depressed I cried out to God to show me He was real. 6 months later he delivered me from depression and I felt his love and peace and I have never been the same. I surrendered my life to Jesus not long after. It’s Jesus who saves us, who heals us. ❤
Hm, I prefer sience, also being liberal (!!!) religious.
Thank you, it really touched me to notice your humbleness and openness
Thank you! New subscriber! 🌅 Another ASD female YT content creator I follow calls it a spiritual closet. My special interest is spirituality, quantum physics and psychology. As a meditator for 16 years and 'other-worldly' experiences, there is more than meets the eye. I will share as a child, I attended church with my mother, however, early-onset it made no sense to me. Oh and I forgot lol I'm the "L" in LGBTQ ..that in of itself has nothing to do with the church topic or the reasons. I'm soon-to-be 59 ♓ Another autistic called me a gatekeeper. My take is, we are beings of light xx
the convergence of all of your special interests is so intriguing to me!
Holy moly…started looking into Taoism two days ago, and this video was first on my feed this morning. Wait. Algorithms. Hm…🤔😂🤷🏼♀️🥰 Regardless, you hit the nail on the head! Thanks for sharing ❤🙏🏻🥰💃🏻
Love dao de wing. Tried learning Chinese for this. Again thought this must mean not autistic, so reassuring.
I am reading a book called "Awe-tizm - A Hidden Key To Our Spiritual Magnificence" written by four non-verbal autistic adults and one Aspie. I highly recommend it. I am a 45 year old autistic person, diagnosed at age 40.
Looked it up immediatly but sadly there is no german translation and my english is not good enough. Could You explain what that "AWE" means?
@@katzenbekloppt_mf. 'awe' sounds the same as the 'au-' in the word 'autisn'.
They are using the word 'awe' as a kind of abbreviation (Abkürzung) of the word 'awesome'. This might be translated 'prima' in German, or 'fantastisch', 'sehr sehr gut' etc/usw.
This meaning of 'awesome' is colloquial (umgangssprachlich) but very common.
The original meaning of 'awe' seems to have the same meanings as 'Ehrfurcht', but that is not how it's being used here.
@@Anonymous-wh4ez wow, that's a very good answer, thank You.
So "awe" like in awsome?
Great video! My two cents: I know that you like that quote as an inclusive one but A Statement like “the One True God” is not actually religious inclusive. It assumes monotheistic beliefs to be the default. That assumption that is also reflected in when someone asks another if they “believe in God” rather than “do you believe in _any Gods_”. Please remember that Hard Polytheists exist! 🥰
Thanks for this video; I'm on the same journey and relate to your deconstruction process. I have lots of questions about the relationship between being autistic and religion - for example, I wonder if being autistic is part of why I was so intense about working through and deconstructing the specifics of my fundamentalist/hypercalvinisti/cultish upbringing - I took the beliefs seriously and at face value in a way that perhaps neurotypical don't? It seemed like most people in my church could just shrug off the fact that we were literally taught that God had reprobated/predestined the majority of humanity to go to hell because they were totally depraved/worthless. I felt deeply the implications of the beliefs and it felt like I literally could not function until there was less cognitive disconnect between what I was taught and what I intuitively knew was necessary to be true to be whole and flourishing. At the same time, I've also heard that some people on the autism spectrum have a tendency to be really rigid and black and white in their thinking about faith (because of the desire for clarity?). That's something I read in Maxine Kingstson's Aspbergers in Love that confuses me a bit and isn't something I personally relate to, but it did bring to mind a sibling of mine who is that way - quite rigid about his beliefs and insistent on the person he's dating sharing those beliefs, however eccentric/controlling (I don't know if he is autistic for sure or not). It feels like my brain can't quite figure out how people in the autistic community can be both unusually accepting of diversity of faith and experience due to their own experiences while some can also have a tendency to be rigid in worldview (if that's true). Wish there was more literature on this!
Oh shit that poem is almost word for word exactly how I view religion. The only thing I disagree with is that I don't see "one god" but one semi abstract force. I see monitheism as viewing that force as one being or entity and polytheism chops up it's different aspects into separate entities. My view (if you can't tell by how I phrase this lmao) is something between animism and pantheism. All equally valid viewpoints imo :)
I've always been interested in other religions and philosophies, since I grew up in one of those very hypocritical and hateful religious homes. As an adult I actually met some Christians who weren't like that so I no longer think of Christianity as terrible, but recognize there are bad/misguided people in any group. Despite my interest in other religions and philosophies though I've never made the time to actually learn about any of them aside from watching a UA-cam video on the subject from time-to-time. I find taoism and stoicism to be interesting topics. I've never understood why people view each religion as not being able to coexist with the other. They just seem like different perspectives on the same/similar concepts to me.
exactly!
I feel really guilty about it, but I almost feel like I don’t have the same respect for religious people and it’s not because I don’t WANT to… it’s because I can’t bring myself to respect something that is literally wrong… Like, when listening to other people’s experiences of what proves to them why their religion is right all I can think in the back of my mind is every other practical or logical way that can be explained without religion… but I bite my tongue so as to not offend. Is the tongue biting a form of respect then? Why is then that I can bite my tongue easier with people I barely know than with people I’m closest to and value and presumably respect more? Brain hurty.
Yes much of religion is literally wrong. Jesus doesn't literally save pple from their sin, though xnty can function to do that I think.
No but this is how I thought autism should view religion.
Hm, maybe just tell them "I don´t believe that and it is very hard for me to view that the way religious people do, so I prefer not to discuss about to not hurt someones feelings."
And by the way: I don´t believe that my religion is right or others or not to believe is wrong. It is just a diffrent way to view things. And as I love science I would always go the logical scientific way first and add religion where it seems to be possible for me. So getting vaxinated always (against everything medicine says it´s good for me long time before covid), using medical treatments that are proofed and THEN pray for getting the patience to go through it for example. Praying against an illness does not make sense for me, but I let others do if they don´t denie science. The god I believe in is a homorous intelligent "person" that likes us to use our brain. I guess religion is a chosen method for me to meditate, a philosophic way to get along with things, can´t describe it better.
My sister's daughter has ASD level 2 or 3 and she has encouraged/forced her daughter to attend church several days a week. My niece is nearly non verbal so it just makes me wonder if my sister is empathetic to her daughter's needs or is just making her go along with her. I totally get that there's community support and structure within a church and all. Im just wondering if at 21 years old that it's what my niece actually wants or not or if she fears trying to communicate it with her mom, who she lives with...
My mom, who as I am sure was autistic as I am always looked at everything from several sides.She once said: of course you can have 2 opposing opinions at once! ...or more, I'd add.... Lol. She was too analytical to be religious but very compassionate when it came to other peoples beliefs. She taught Christian religion for many years in Elementary school (in Germany) because they had no other alternative at that school and she did it well, I know.
Interesting!! Thanks for sharing this.
I'm a Christian autistic!😊😊
Hi, I found Forgiveness, Understanding, Gratitude, Patience and Trust to be the most powerful traits that I've been able to cultivate threw studying religion.
Directing my attention and applying these traits to my inner conversation have changed my whole life or I've gone mad because I find myself to be unconditionally more happy.
If you ever find yourself lost:
Pause and take a mindful breather.
The Tao is the way and is viewed form the now.
One deep breath can make a grater difference than one would estimate, many deep breaths will make a grater difference than one can imagine.
The more presence you fill you mind with the clearer the way.
I am an atheist. I agree autistic people will accept others religions or spirituality. They even may be very committed to a religion. But I don't think you will find a more solid wall to break down than an autistic if you try sell them your religion dogmatically or if you try conceal the prejudices so often hidden in religous clothing. And can find our own belief but accepting an argument based solely on someone championing belief and faith just makes little sense to us. But its totally different if one is raised in a gentle religous manner as it would provide a helpful calming meaningful emotional blanket and if anything will enhance ones need and ability to help others suffering injustice.
Hi Taylor,
Thanks for this. I also come from an evangelical Bible believing Christian faith. I was raised Christian but wasn't actually Christian myself until 2004. Formally in my late teens,
until about 26, I was a Wiccan, bisexual, who's life was wrecked to be honest. Drugs, alcohol featured strongly in my life and back then I had no idea I was autistic or most likely having ADHD as well as other neurodivergent conditions.
My life utterly changed by God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ and His gospel (John 3) on January 8th 2004. I went from being a suicidal, manic depressive to being transformed into a new person who knows the God of the Bible created and loves me. My growth and my walk have been hard but very real and I know this God who knows me and indeed He knows all those who are His. I still experience complexities in this life of course, especially as an autistic woman and God certainly does not promise to fix all our problems, in fact often we find we have more problems as we walk through this secular world but one thing is sure He is with His people, He is faithful to His word and faithful to fulfill His promises. I am most certainly not the person I used to be and I thank God for that.
With autism, ADHD etc life will always be a trial in some ways as it can be with any condition, affliction or difference but I no longer feel like the lonliest person in the room as I used to feel, even in a room of my friends. I now know I'm not alone, that my sins against Him (the breaking of His commandments) are forgiven and the guilt that comes with that is wiped away and all those who put their trust in the Jesus Christ of the Bible can know the hope the Bible speaks about.
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a] gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
🙏
I really enjoy a local Universalist Unitarian church because it is more like a comparitive religion studies class...but taking a comparitive religion, physchology, sociology class or seminar, poetry and music, and having a small group discussion on similarities between them is my best "church" experience.
I think this is how always I felt, but something quite difficult has faced me past couple of years, when I started questioning does god exists or not. And from that moment I honestly begin to feel that I'm no longer religious, And the idea of God has just gone away from my mind and forever. So I started looking more into the history of religion to better understand them. But it's still difficult to me, even though I'm considering myself an agnostic, I live in a society where religion is a must and people rate you based on how religious you are. So I'm really forced to show people that I'm religious because otherwise I might end up being in a horrible place, For anyone wondering, this is the kind of life you get if you're living in a very undeveloped country behind very religious people.
I am sorry. Here it is the other way round, religious people are a minority and I often have to explain in my leftwing-liberal-queer-feminist-circles why I am and not automatically narrow-minded and conservative. I live in Berlin/Germany.
The apostle Paul is believed to have been on the ASD spectrum. Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philemon, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are written\inspired by Paul.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing.
can u go into more detail abt this? I have vague memories of these from catholic school, but I’ve never read them closely
I doubt that. According to the bible, Paul was an awful control freak, who hated women.
@@JoyFay You can believe whatever you choose, but if you dig deeper you will see that is not the case at all. Also, consider his writing style. It is likely he had Asperger's.
@@JoyFay to be fair, you can be shitty and autistic, they’re not mutually exclusive
Beautifully done.
Thank you very much!
I think the whole skydaddy concept is a project of the egos of medieval European kings. All religions are worshipping the same thing, and it really doesn't matter which road you take. I find beauty and insights in every religion
I definitely can relate to this. I was raised Catholic girl and now am an observant although agnostic Jewish man. Feel in the autistic community I this is accepted at face value where in other spaces I feel the need to explain and people ask a lot of questions to understand my identity.
I also feel sharing religion with autistic friends is very different. Like my best friend is a Muslim, we love to talk about our cultures and religion and part take in it together. It's one of the things I really vie about our friendship is how we are able to be so open and have deeper conversations about these things with no judgment. We just seem to get it and want to understand each other's perspectives in a much more open way.
So glad to hear this! Thanks for sharing.
I like what You said a lot and can relate to it (queer cis-woman who decided to take a religion and study and discuss it the scientific way).
Important generalisation: autists naturally resonate in the higher chakras and specifically have a stabilisation point in the Vishuddha (Throat) chakra, which corresponds to the ability to simultaneously hold multiple truths/views without believing/disbelieving any of them.
I love this video! Resonates a lot with me! ❤
My experience with butting heads with conservative protestants is always being on the wrong side of belief. I was damned before I was born. My voting record alone is proof of being on the wrong side.
Thus at fifty five, I am following my own path. I no longer listen to those other voices.
If the Christian god has destined me for destruction, so be it. But in till that time I will practice being a peaceable person. And try to be kind to all of God's creation. Save for when mice come into the house or squirrels get to close or yellow jackets build nests in common areas or blackberries encroach on the barn or woodshed.
Oh, I don´t believe in a god that destines people for a heaven or hell, she*he*whatever is not an asshole in my opinion.
One thing I have trouble with is taking everything personally for instance if the say “some Christians are going to hell” I’ll jump to conclusions thinking “I KNOW he’s talking about me. And other people accuse me of not reading my Bible though I read it all the way through which slightly hurts my feelings
Just so you know, tao is pronounced like it begins with a "d". {smile}
I had to cultivate my spirituality to survive. I had terrible suicidal tendencies most of my life. It’s gone now but spirituality is key !!
Judging by the comments here I'm not alone in thinking that spirituality is a direct 1:1 relationship in the autistic experience.
By comparison "organized" religion seems to me like the arbitrary application of a team sports framework to something that has nothing to do with competition.
This is SO relatable! Thank you, thank you! (Just fyi Tao is pronounced "Dao" and "Te" is "De") Thank you for covering this topic. It's so reassuring to hear someone say things I've felt and feel, thought and think.
I was forced to go to Church which I could never understand as it made no logical sense To me until I found Celtic Paganism which I now am apart of I have ADHD Inattentive type and Autism I am also transgender which didn't fit in with the Christian religion as they wanted to try to Pray both away my Autism and the Gay away I'm 55 years old late diagnosed Autism 3 weeks ago I found out
Oh, I am sorry, I am a queer liberal christian in a church were there are homosexual and trans pastors and community members and I hate people using their religion to hurt other people! Believe or do not, everything is fine, but this "pray away"-idea is so...violent. I wish You all the best with or without religion to find a way to experience a good way of life.
Moça eu estou no espectro e apesar de ser catolico eu tento vivenciar minha espiritualidade principalmente com os "personagens de ficção" que aparecem no meu sonho sao sonhos tao belos e bonitos quando converso com deus como um cristao normalmente eu uso o masking que acaba gerando crises mas quando eu falo como uma pessoa espiritualizada eu me sinto mais livre
I think my dad was autistic. He had a very literal, scientific, fact-based brain, and he told me he was atheist. That was an early memory for me. I haven't understood until recently how similar we were.
I've always been on the outside and hated any kind of social pressure or expectation. I would generally do the opposite. My wider community and country growing up were very religious, so I rebelled against that, on principle.
I love facts and studying human behaviour, so religion intrigued me. I learned some about them all, and formulated my own understanding, again not following the crowd.
I really respect people who find comfort from religion, it's something I will never have, as I'm too logical.
I would say I'm spiritual, my comfort comes from nature.
That’s very interesting. I’m autistic and VERY logical, but I am Christian. I didn’t grow up in a religious family. They didn’t even go to church, I’m the only Christian in my family. The only one to surrender my life to Christ. But that’s because I was crushed, I was severely depressed and suicidal, asked Gad to show me He was real because my logical brain could not make sense of it. I didn’t understand the complexities of the world and why they are. It was too much. But I had an experience where God showed me His love, I felt it, I felt His peace and joy. I say that all to say I find it interesting that you say you think too logically to believe, because I thought I was the same way.
God*
HAHA, I totally get that rebellious thing. I always say I luckily was not forced to be religious otherways it would have been impossible for me to be.
When we moved to Oasis of Love, a Catholic renewal community, my mom was over the moon. She really connected with the people there, while I, being the moody kid with my own little world, found it a bit challenging. The community had this unique worship style called Tongue of Fire - everyone would raise and shake their arms, there were lively songs, and, of course, snacks after worship. People would bond together, all dressed in white like they were channeling the holy spirit. It was tough for me to get into the groove, so I mostly just observed. Making small talk was a struggle, and my mind wandered all over the place.
I’ve had the same experience I’m glad I’m not the only one and I did not know that this was due to me possibly being on the spectrum
I'm not religious at all and the whole concept makes absolutely no sense to me.
But I wanted to help you with the wording regarding LGBTQ+ people.
Of course I can only speak for myself. But I (as a lesbian) don't like it when people say "lifestyle" when they talk about sexuality and gender. It sounds like the people chose to be queer. When in fact most of us struggle a whole lot to find a way to accept ourselves.
So, I think it would be better if you'd just say "people with different sexualities and gender identities" or something like this. But maybe someone else has a good idea for rephrasing.
Thank you for the feedback! I appreciate it.
I agree.
Exactly, I think it is true that people on spectrum seem much more respectful and accepting of others’ differences. Additionally they accept what somebody says on the surface without being suspicious assuming hidden meaning.
I was raised a very vanilla type Lutheran. But had some peak experiences in adulthood that led me to reject any belief or faith in service of the experiential. That the norm expects the polarities of hard dogmatic belief vs skepticism. But my MO for my whole life was a curiosity and wanting to find out for myself. I've learned from every mystical and contemplative approach that I could find. Religion as such bores me. It's like mental ruminations of the idea that there's something other than materialism but jumping to assumed knowing based off of second hand cultural knowledge. Even growing up I never took anything taught to me as fact, just falsifiable ideas that could only be tested with subjective experience and not the mind or the collective. I approach existential life as like a phenomenological scientist.
Thank you for covering the topic! I resonate with the that sense of being always from the outside looking in making us more aware of how religious patterns overlap and to some complement each other. Growing as a Roman Catholic in Colombia, I witnessed how the rise of Christian Evangelicals caused both dogmas to adapt. However, I grew away from religion, as it became a special interest of mine... for while. I realized the negative implications of supporting organized religions in the world outweigh the positives. I am an atheist on the spectrum, which is very supportive of *-diversity (from gender to religion to everything in between) =).
Taylor, it’s me, Andrew. Can you please staaahp this Autism awareness proliferation campaign? 🙏
I think we're too smart for religion.
Thank you for this post and thank you for making your channel. I am also a mom with autism and am so happy to have found you. Also I completely agree with everything you spoke about on this subject. Great job ❤
outside looking in. taken right from my mouth
I wish you had discussed atheism and autism, given that many of us on the spectrum are wired without the capacity for teleological thinking-a necessary prerequisite for notions of an anthropomorphized god as well as primary causes and “meaning of life” type thoughts.
I can relate to a lot of what you're saying. I'm Christian and I don't practice any other religion BUT I have an appreciation for open mindedness in general which makes me very out of the box when it comes to my perspectives and opinions within my faith. I have a very different view of 'end times' interpretations, and I even believe in aliens, whereas most of my friends believe that every good spirit is an angel, and every bad spirit is a demon or fallen angel with no room for other creations. I choose not to argue with people any more or get much into my beliefs if they are too different because it causes too much conflict, but I notice that many outside of the Christian community appreciate hearing a different perspective. I am able to share some with them, and at times even alleviate some of the perceived contradictions between my faith and science or perceived concrete reality. I feel that is helpful.
Being the Mr. Spock that I am, my opinion of religion is that it is highly illogical. I just can't go along with the magical guy in the sky thing who chooses favorites and doles out horrid punishments when it's supposed to be a loving deity. But, that's just me and I've been this way my whole life. I tried to pretend, but I can't.
I can only speak from my own experience. Raised a Roman Catholic, I was even an alter boy for a while. But I was always asking questions that couldn't be answered. If there should be no mediators between God and myself, then why do I have to confess to a priest? If we shouldn't worship false idols, why do we have to light candles and pray to statues of white people?
No one could answer my questions; instead, I was accused of being a troublemaker. I never made it to my confirmation, and I've never believed a word coming from any man-made religion since.
Do I believe in a higher power? Of course, I do, maybe not in the way others want or expect me to, though. Religion has never made any sense to me, and the more I think about it, the more confused I get.
I have always had an open mind and don't mind discussing any subject as long as people don't try and push their ideas on me or attempt to convince me that my opinion is wrong or invalid. Opinions aren't right or wrong they are opinions which are something personal to the individual.
The greatest Catholic theologican from Thomas from Aquin to Ratzinger were aspies. That's because Catholic theology is extremely logical built on top of Aristotelian realistic philosophy.
What I always had my struggles with, are feeling-based evangelical inspired kinds of worship. 12 years ago I discovered the Traditional Latin Mass and it's my totally autistic home 😍
Yes Latin mass, and tridentine. Reassuring as thought this love must mean not autistic in which case back at beginning for why can't seem to fit anywhere.
Love ratsinger. Wd be amazing if he was. But no way of knowing I suspect. Oh will Google.
I personally can't wrap my head around religion. Gods make no sense to me.
Relatable.
He just seems like a narcicistic dictator.
While I respect your view on this, what about people on the spectrum who are atheists?
Your brief words and the poem you read about religion seem to reference community sharing and experience of good feelings more than faith. As an Evangelical, is the “personal friend of Jesus” something a person on the spectrum can relate to?
I'm not sure what you mean by opinion. Is "all women is inferior" an opinion? Is "all all women just male property" because the Bible says so an opinion? Is "the wind tells me I'm a ghost" an opinion?
"a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge." Not really seeing the point in opinions, they just seem to exist as an excuse for harming others.
Spirituality based on actual reality doesn't seem completely bad, but personally I use "Quality Of Life" a term without the negative and harmful things hiding under the spirituality umbrella.
Religion is a lost cause, it made it harder to enslave people of the same faith, but still allow thinking and doing all kinds of bad things to those not of the faith and it is way too easy to say someone is not of the faith so you can harm them... It is mostly a non democratic power tool, so really creepy. Only one that should have power in the world is voters, as in Us The People, not ME the CEO or Me the Spiritual "leader" or Me the Billionaire.
am a agnostic atheist with a love for the natural world so pagan stuff is interesting but a do not be-leave in god or gods just the natural world. so agnostic atheist is the best fit. god or gods may be real but with no good definition of what thy are or not makes looking for evidence hard that is why am a agnostic as well as I have not see evidence of god or gods so that leads to me being a atheist. I have no problem with religion as long as thy do no harm and do not violate others rights. \/