Autism and Religion: How Autism Influences Spirituality 

My church has many Autistc children and adults. Even my pastor is on the spectrum. GOD is awesome.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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 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 RU-vid instead.

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 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. ❤

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. ❤

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.

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.

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.

Thank you so much for indulging my video request! Usually on RU-vid 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.

There is a Catholic priest named Fr. Matthew Schneider, LC. He was diagnosed an autistic after his priestly ordination.

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 🤗

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 .

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!

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 am a Christian on the spectrum so always thankful for videos like these! TY God Bless!

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.

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.

Thank you, it really touched me to notice your humbleness and openness

I am not, nor I ever been (nor will be) religious but I appreciated your perspective and this discussion about autism and faith.

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.

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.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! ❤ We really appreciate the research, time, and vulnerability you invest. 😊

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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.

I’m high function autism and I’m buddhist and I’ve read the toa te Ching and it helps me everyday

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.

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

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 ❤🙏🏻🥰💃🏻

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 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.

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.

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. ❤️

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 ✨❤️

Beautifully done.

I love this video! Resonates a lot with me! ❤

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

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. 🙏🏼

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 ❤

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

Very useful info. TY for sharing.

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...

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 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.

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

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 RU-vid 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.

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) =).

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.

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'm a Christian autistic!😊😊

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.

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.

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 !!

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 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.

outside looking in. taken right from my mouth

Just so you know, tao is pronounced like it begins with a "d". {smile}

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

Girl, same!

My experience

You and your presentations can greatly benefit and improve with the use of a consumer grade teleprompter that can also be used with a large enough tablet to read from. The more you practice reading from your own script, the more comfortable and natural you'll become, as if you're carrying on a conversation without delay in thought.

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 😍

Hi Taylor! I wondered whether you are able to share an email address that you let us guys to use? I would put mine on this forum but it’s then out there. Your video on religion is a good thing to have done. I am also a Christian so wondered if we could perhaps encourage one another on a deeper spiritual level. I am so sorry you had such a rubbish time at your friend’s party.😢🙏

I can relate with different religion I am autistic female too

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.

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 am so dumb 😂😂😂😂

I think we're too smart for religion.

Namaskar🙏

I was raised in a Christian family, but was utterly bored by church (no doubt exacerbated by ADHD) and so thankful when we stopped going. Nevertheless, I have always been a very conservative person - very concerned about rules and order and a proscribed correct way to behave and live (ASD), including a strong concern for the concept of fairness (ASD), even while lacking empathy (ASD). I ended up formulating my own one-man religion. I reject numerous aspects of Christianity, especially modern mainstream Christianity. Nothing I've learned about various other religions has made them appealing, though I have cherry-picked parts that resonated with me. For example, the Buddhist ideas of "right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness" thought probably not in the way Buddhism intends. I might have been Straight Edge (not exactly a religion but close) except I dislike the tattoos and hardcore music associated with it.

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.

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 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