Autism & Religion [CC]

What's the connection between autism and religion?
Sources & Resources:
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The Autisticats - / 1382391197247881218
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Ultimate resource guide - www.disabledautisticlesbian.c...
How to support an autistic person - www.disabledautisticlesbian.c...
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Unmasking/How to Start Over - www.disabledautisticlesbian.c...
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Hello my dears!
My name is Sydney and I’m an actress/singer-songwriter who writes music about my experiences being autistic, disabled, gay, and in general, a human. My goal is to fill musical gaps and write about things people often forget to make music about. I’m also a vintage enthusiast and disability advocate (among other things). I’ve now released 3 albums and, most importantly, my favorite color is buttercup yellow.
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[@buttercxpdraws8101]

I am autistic and have a unique set of spiritual beliefs which evolved through my own observation of the natural world. I can’t imagine believing something just because someone else told me too.

[@buttercxpdraws8101]

Edit: *to not too 😬

[@heedmydemands]

I'm similar, own set of beliefs, things I like from different religions and my own ideas. I don't believe in god

[@AutisticRebbetzen]

I'm an Orthodox Jew, and my husband (also autistic) is a rabbi. I disagree with the assertion that autistics are non-religious or very religious with no in-between. I couldn't say whether that is true if "religious" is exclusively used to describe Xtianity because most of the autistics I interact with regularly are not Xtian. (The common issue of people using the term "religion" to mean Xtianity even when the assertions involved don't apply to other groups is always something to be careful about.) Though I have a whole video on my distaste for ranked scale terms applied to Jewish practice, I will use them here as an interface with your paradigm. I run a Facebook group for autistic Jews, and the diversity of belief and practice in it is broad. There's atheist Jews who view themselves as non-practicing. There's Orthodox Jews like myself. And there's everything "in between." Most of the group probably falls under "in between." I think that an important thing to consider when looking at how autistic people respond to religious systems is how each system handles questions. I think systems and leaders that view questions as a moral failing are more likely to result in religious trauma and alienation for autistics. Systems and leaders that encourage questions are more likely to be fulfilling for autistics. I can only speak knowledgeably about Jewish paradigms here. For us, asking questions is an essential part of being engaged with tradition. Questions are codified into the Passover Seder, and the Talmud is basically a recording of centuries of scholars arguing about "what if [situation]"? If you aren't asking your own thoughtful questions, you aren't growing. Illogical blind faith is not a virtue for us- it is lazy.

[@disabled.autistic.lesbian]

Literally every word of this comment is beautiful thank you !!

[@sugoiharris1348]

Are you using Xtian as Christian?

[@heedmydemands]

That sounds very cool feeling encouraged to ask questions

[@AutisticRebbetzen]

@@sugoiharris1348 Yes.

[@sugoiharris1348]

@@AutisticRebbetzen right well, Xtian isn’t a religion. Christian is. Christ is the most important part.

[@ethanstump]

As an exmormon atheist autistic, what I have come up with, is understanding that religion itself, even through modern reform, simply cannot cut ties with hierarchy and authoritarian ways of being. Yes, their are exceptions, but these exceptions encompass such a small number of believers, that trying to showcase these as what religion is, would be a disservice to those in the authoritarian branch. Even spirituality in my mind is suspect, as you pointed out it often lead's to ignoring actual issues that can be materially worked on. I guess what I'm getting at, is that we fully as people with autism, can get many of the upsides of religion, without engaging in the very same mistakes that many of the religious community fall into. Finally, I also have tried to figure out if I'm a good person outside of religion, and just observing myself, I am far more healthy, far more relaxed,and far more helpful of a person outside of religion than inside of it. I am a good boy atheist, and it saddens me that so many good people were traumatized into thinking that they couldn't be good people without religion.

[@zaraimpala3962]

im one of the uncommon autistic people who is very semi spiritual. i grew up as a christian, it didn't really reach me all that much, and my parents were nominally christian but non practicing. i became incredibly Buddhist when i was 17-21? was following buddhist precepts as well as i could i saw all life as being full of suffering, that we can never be emotionally or physically satisfied in ordinary life. that we all are stuck in an endless chain of rebirth without rest, unable to find lasting, fulfilling peace tried my hardest not to walk on ants or squish mosquitoes, practice mindfulness, have a mind free from negative attributes and emotions, cultivate compassion for other living beings, imagine that every living being in the universe had been in every variation of a relationship with me through past lives, that bird used to be my parent, my child, my friend, my partner, the predator that ate me, my prey, my neighbour etc etc. thinking like that, but for everyone single living being, and trying to treat and hold in my heart that each living being may have been promised a thousand times by me that i shall cherish them forever in all our future lives. i took a bunch of psychedelics, had some very strong spiritual experiences that broke down my self perception, and made me a lot less dogmatic one with all, not being able to observe my own identity as inherently existing, seeing visions of bi gender god/esses wrapped in loving furious sexual embrace within the patterns of wood grains, the clouds and canopies of trees. (the bigender god/ess ended up making me recognise i am pansexual, which later grew to being a trans woman too) i relaxed my Buddhist dogmatism, stopped lecturing my family and friends on Buddhist doctrine all the time i have had my own personal, overwhelming and emotionally touching spiritual experiences. but there are thousands of others who have had similar personal spiritual experiences that conflict with my own. so i was doubtful of whether i could entirely based my understanding of reality on the spiritual experiences i had. i was trying to understand what differentiates me from my cousin who had been committed to a psych ward, who believed he was the messiah. i couldn't find much of a difference, and i wasn't able to say that my own direct experience of spirituality is any more true than another person's direct experience. as a measure to not fall into searching the universe for truths through psychedelic use, and to not fall into the isolation of solipsism i studied a fair bit of the history and philosophy of science, to ground myself in the norms of my Australian culture, so that i can communicate and share belief systems with others, instead of becoming more and more esoteric and isolated in my perceptions and beliefs about reality. right now i am very agnostic. my girlfriend is an autistic theoretical physics student, it is an agnostic athiest and ethnically/culturally Jewish i found out my grandma hid she was Jewish her whole life, only admitting the truth on her deathbed, because her mother was afraid England would be invaded by Nazis during WW2. my girlfriend is Israeli, and we are thinking of me getting an Israeli citizenship based on my grandma. i am also interested in engaging with Judaism in a secular, spiritual way centred on direct experience with spirituality, and the beauty and divinity of nature. while remaining philosophically agnostic without dissolving into solipsism or dogmatism

[@buttercxpdraws8101]

I could talk for hours on what you’ve said here. Fascinating ✌️💕

[@maggierestivo5256]

History in general is my special interest, and I was always fascinated by monks and nuns. I always thought I would have preferred to be what was called an "anchorite", someone who lived in a tiny cell and communicated with the Divine, rather than, say, an order of teaching nuns. I think it's also because while I can work well in groups (up to a point, due to my PDA), it's not my comfort zone. You have inspired me to definitely write my book of autobiographical poetry, because I want to try to recall the earliest memories of being a "Preacher's Kid" (my maternal adoptive grandfather and adoptive father were both Episcopal Priests). I now realize that a lot of what made church a sheer hell for me (sorry to all religious folks out there) were sensory issues (and the long canticles... very difficult for someone with lung problems). There was also the feeling of being judged, and living in what was basically a fishbowl. I became a lector in an Episcopal church after I married, and it was then that I realized a) I didn't really relate to what I was reading, they were just words to me, and b) I no longer felt safe, especially after coming out to my hubby and myself as bi. Fast forward several years later, and I decided to become a Wiccan, because it gave me what my own religion never did: joy. It was a good fit for autistic, bi, psychic physical medium me! Again, no judgment from me, I loved your video, and also, again, no offense to people who find that their religion, be it Judaism, Christianity, Muslim or whatever else, works for them. The main thing is that it brings *you* comfort, whoever you are, and hopefully joy, as well. Peace!

[@robinfa1477]

I've always thought that if I lived in medieval times, I'd probably be best off becoming a nun.

[@jlzombiecat]

I attempted to understand religion as a teen, but while I could have benefited from the structure, I do not do well with human relationships. I find I am unable to believe. The only religions I could even get close to were forms of Paganism or something related to the "Gaia hypothesis" but I was never able to believe anything aside from the physical or develop faith in anything. I can't even wrap my head around superstitions. Everything being created, instead of developing naturally over deep time has always looked illogical to me, and one of my special interests is evolutionary biology. Also, I cannot tolerate the contradictions, and what has been done to the world and the unique variations of humanity in the name of religions. So many terrible things. I am a piece of the biosphere and I feel closer to the Earth than I do to any person, even my husband.

[@RedAngelSophia]

One thing I notice - as an Atheist, I have difficulty setting up rituals that satisfy a certain thirst in me and find that one thing that I miss about religion. I have heard of some Atheists doing something called Suspension of Disbelief and as such using those rituals anyway - but personally, my ability to do that is limited. I try developing rituals that do not depend upon such religious beliefs - but find that the Church has a 2000 year head-start -- and the excessive duration of copyright granted by copyright law doesn’t make the process of closing the gap any easier.

[@wdlovesthee736]

this is such an interesting topic overlap. i have said time & again i was going to be a monk tho i thought i'd challenge myself & try to live in the worldly world as much as i could. i grew up in very christian surroundings - my grandma told me jesus would be back in her lifetime & she really believed that. she has since passed. i never felt what others appeared to at church, in fact i would get there & cry because i didn't understand what was happening. i discovered buddhism in my teens & have been practicing compassion as religion ever since. i love ceremony & ritual & gentle kind living. i am a deeply spiritual person who expresses this in my daily life. i have what is called faith only because i experience a world outside of what others call reality & to some that looks like i believe in something unseen. to me science is spiritual, living is spiritual. i do have deep beliefs all based on my own experiences. i'm grateful i had my own autistic thinking feeling systems to help me sort thru the maze of beliefs that others offered me. thanks again Sydney. thanks for being , sincerely

[@Chi-Drumming]

I find being religious but lacking in faith to be one of the most stressful things in my life.

[@cameronbailey761]

new favorite KZbinr for sure. Really loving hearing your opinions/experiences and such.

[@Slim_Chiply]

I'm autistic and a pretty late diagnosed one at that. I grew up in a religious family. My father was a minister. I was never interested in church, god, or anything related to being a religious person. I guess I would say I'm an atheist, but in reality I'm just not interested in religion or being religious. I just can't do it. I usually just tell people I'm not religious, if it ever comes up.

[@siennaprice1351]

My husband and I go to a camp every Summer. It’s a religious camp. And Josh and I are both totally blind and on the autism spectrum. Every time we’ve went, they’ve actually allowed us to be ourselves. The counselors who stayed in the cabin with us actually recommended me to use my fidgets whenever I’d get upset, or stressed out. I do go into isolation mode when I meet new people, even religious people. Because I’m scared they won’t accept me because I’m totally blind, autistic and have CPTSD. I don’t think all religious people are bad though, I just feel nervous and feel like I’d be out of place.

[@fishinabox]

I admire Quakers because of their openness and have been to Quaker meet ups. As well used to attend Buddhist meditation at one of their places. I admired them as well because a therapy hospital I stayed at for months was the home of the Cadbury family who were Quakers and they left it to the local Council to be used as a psychiatric hospital. I have been on a journey with several things: Buddhism, the Upanishads, Taoism, Spritualism, Pan Psychism. I also loved philosophy groups. I feel it has all helped with my growth even if stuff is retained and stuff gets left behind.

[@heedmydemands]

And would u mind going into great detail about a bunch of that? I'm intrigued. I know it's probably too much lol. I've heard of the Upanishads, I don't recall how, I'm also interested in Taoism and Buddhism. I don't know much about the Quakers either other than hearing from one of Sydney's videos that they were conscientious objectors

[@heedmydemands]

O spiritualism and pan psychism I don't know what they are

[@fishinabox]

Hi and wow it is a reply to a post several months ago. I don’t mind say talking about stuff but by bit. I don’t remember any words from the Upanishads but it had an influence in terms of self awareness and considering realisation towards oneness of being which is others and all of life. I started reading books by Aubrey Menen (not sure if spelling) he was half Indian half Irish lived in the UK in the 1930s. He wrote The Space Within The Heart. Which helped.

[@fishinabox]

Spiritualism has different definitions in India it is about as I understand it the inner spirit and spirituality. In the west involves mediums who believe they can communicate with people who have passed on into another realm the Spirit World and pass on messages from them to people still in earth to give evidence that we don’t die and also how to be better people.

[@fishinabox]

Pan Psychism is about the notion that all things people animals but also materials rock concrete water and many things have life even if a different amount. Is there a complete duality between so called matter and mind. Even if we evolved from substances of matter into complex organisms what is the substance that comes along with it to create consciousness.

[@youngandthetasteless]

I was baptized as a Lutheran when I was a baby, but I grew up Pentecostal. I was a little religious zealot. I still consider myself a Christian in the sense that I believe in God and Jesus and His teachings, but I don't hate enough people to be accepted into most churches where I am from. I guess I am one of the odd autistics that is somewhere in the middle.

[@altitudeiseverything3163]

“I don’t hate enough people to be accepted into most churches where I’m from” - Wow, that’s the most striking ‘truth bomb’ I’ve read online in a long time. And it’s an excellent description of my own experiences that led me from seeking a possible place for myself in the religious community available during my adolescence; to an exploration of several other religious traditions in adulthood (some of which resonated with me in many ways); and ultimately an acceptance of my lifelong atheism. Had it not been for those early *bad* experiences (witnessing pervasive hypocrisy and bigotry in every church I attended), I might never have been compelled to take that journey. I might simply have kept quiet about my lack of belief in order to be accepted.

[@HeathAlexander]

LOL thumb up .. thank you (future Sydney)... Great vid, you really encapsulated my feelings on this too

[@mosseinnchite1324]

Hai Sydney, I’m a male person from Zambia, Africa and I just want to let you know that your information in autism is really detailed and interesting, to me. I’m not very certain that I’m autistic but I do think that I may be autistic. Please… PLEASE keep up with the good work. For someone who is Christian by religion, I want to say that God is working through you by spreading the word out on autism, race & religion.🙏🏾

[@dsarah60]

you're so funny, i love that

[@Yuffie13]

I've often thought that I'd make a decent nun, except I don't feel any draw to Christianity and I think I'm too idealistic to be a Buddhist. I did attend a UU (Unitarian Universalist) church for quite a few years, which I liked because it's not a traditional religion but more of a collective of faiths who all get along and don't preach at each other. But I stopped going because of Catty Church Politics. (Our minister was forced to quit because she took a Sabbatical to grieve her sister and then took parental leave to adopt a baby girl from China because she and her husband had to jump at a chance of adoption right before the Beijing Olympics. The church board was in a snit about it, told her to quit, and replaced her with a very God-centric minister who my parents and I didn't like.) Also, the youth group I was part of became more of a Daycare-At-Night for Immature and Spoiled Teens, and because they all went to school together I was often not told when meetings were cancelled. I quit the youth group after the leader pretty much told me that I was too serious and no fun ("They come here to relax after school" was what he said when I complained that we weren't doing enough social justice work), and pretty soon my parents and I just stopped going. As it stands now, I guess I'm vaguely Pagan-leaning.

[@lachlanwoods5696]

I also am obsessed with nuns because I think they were largely neurodivergent women. Positive

[@innovationsanonymous8841]

Welcome to the LHP, sister. Make your own rules and follow them devoutly... or not 🙃

[@shanesorensen7878]

Any Native American religious and Tengrist autistics out there.

[@FirstmaninRome]

Well, it was a little better than samdy sam's video.

[@FirstmaninRome]

I was raised in a baptist christian concentration camp, but quickly became stone skeptical, but continued to read about and take history of religion in hs and college. Went through a Quaker phase right before a continuing zen buddhist phase.

[@buttercxpdraws8101]

I very much agreed with everything in the video Yo Samdy Sam made on religion. It really resonated with my own point of view on the topic. 🤷‍♀️

[@FirstmaninRome]

@@buttercxpdraws8101 Its easier for me to related to the hardcore science perspectives, but yet ive read dozen of books on religions, and ive known christian pastors who jave a simular type of autism to me, more social though.

[@danielmoore4024]

I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Ghost. I've met many autistic people who are members as well. I do like the framework of religions and the people who actually do what they teach, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have always been so accepting of me and are great friends. If you have any questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just ask me.