Can Autistic People Love God
What do you all think of the claim that Autistic people cannot be 'religious' as they cannot understand the meaning of a relationship with God? Love to hear your views,
Kathy (57 year old autistic)
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---kathy on 6/13/05
Helpful Blog Vote (15)
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If God will save an addict, a murder, a prostitue He will surely touch one with special needs. In truth I beleive that those with special needs have less to wade through in a relationship with God. I was in life skills for special needs for years and two of which were atisic and they loved worship and church they felt the Holy Spirit, Things are possible for God that go way beyond our understanding. I hope this helps.
God bless you |
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---toni on 3/10/10 |
Every single person who is born in this world is on their way to HELL. Loving God has nothing to do with it. Does God love them enough to save them. If not bought by His mighty, powerful Blood, to hell they go! Most people don't really know this God. He is a holy God. He hates sin. And He hates sin much more than He loves the sinners. Too many false prophets preaching God loveees everyone. And don't go quoting scriptures, unless you belong to God and know them. |
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---catherine on 3/10/10 |
Kathy,
If you are questioning your own ability to understand "love" the same as others, be glad you don't. Most people think love includes WAR, but God taught you everything as you are supposed to know and understand it.
If you have a pure heart with no EVIL/destructive intent, when you stand before God every day, feel no shame/inadequacy,...for you are doing His WILL by being a pure heart (you care about His WILL/wishes/desires because you have a LOVE DEVOTION,...it's not about love for PEOPLE, it's about loving GOD).
Unfortunately, many people need to BE FORCED to "OBEY" because they rather not DO HIS WILL.
Religion/"religious" means PARTISAN BEHAVIOR (march properly, etc.). |
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---more_excellent_way on 3/10/10 |
Of course they can love God and He loves them along with everyone else.They are childlike in many ways so they are probably much closer to God than most of us are. |
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---shirley on 3/9/10 |
Since God loves us all, if one person (let's say an autistic person) is less able (mentally) to understand things, god will know that, and will not hold that against anyone. We are only judged by what we do with the gifts God has given us - if we have mental limitations, God will know how much we can understand of Him, and only expect that much from us. AND - someone who has not experienced a proper relationship due to autism may be much more likely to joyfully accept it when God offers it |
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---peter3594 on 3/9/10 |
Just looking back over the blog and reading what "Paul" had to say it's so true,my favorite bible verse is this one "Whosoever comes to Me I will in no-wise cast out"..That's JESUS! |
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---richard on 1/6/10 |
Its a good thing God meets us all the way we are,(then begins to work on "perfecting" us the rest of our lives) otherwise us "reigious" types would be doomed,probably by our own hypocrisy! I also believe children automatically go to heaven and I cant prove it but also the little tribesman who hasn't heard the gospel (though he has a sense of God in some way),the millenium will prove who is willing and pleased to be saved. |
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---richard on 1/6/10 |
I have a friend who told me the story of how she came to know Jesus. She was a religious do gooder who judged everybody. One day she was in the park and ran into a little blind girl who simply loved Jesus. The way she puts it, the came to know Jesus through a little blind girl who could "see" God. It matters not what the five physical senses can figure out. It is the heart that matters. |
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---Linda on 1/6/10 |
Lets remember, we do not understand but very little as compared to God. I do not believe scriptures tells us much about this. I do know because God is God, anyone who dies without the living God, the new birth, will go to hell. Jesus said it, now. [In so many words]. We do serve a holy God. God is God. And He makes people holy, not because we do everything right, but, because of His Blood we are made right, WITH GOD, my friends. That's it! |
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---catherine on 1/6/10 |
My son is a perfect example.
As a teen he suddenly wanted to watch t.v. but only, TBN and EWTN.
He gives me the remote and says "God, God".
He never liked books...but suddenly, he says "Biii--Buuu, Biii--Buuu"!
Whenever he wants me to read it to him.
He will shout "Hallelujah Lord, Hallelujah Lord" and waits for me to respond. Then says
"All the Glory be to God"!
He can recite "Hail Mary" entire prayer though I never taught him.
He is non-verbal and can only say a few other words, and he can't speak in sentences...so this is a *Miracle*.
He is ADHD+OCD+MMR+Severely Autistic.
With God All Things Are Possible. |
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---FullyJoyful on 12/31/09 |
Tim, do you think it's possible He has helped you without you realizing it was Him? |
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---AlwaysOn on 12/22/09 |
God does not love or care about people with Asperger Syndrome - i can say that for a bona fide fact
I have had Asperger's all my life and he has never lifted a finger to help me |
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---Tim on 12/20/09 |
i m "suspected high-functioning aspie" and yes we can love God... i do... if not for God i wld hv killed myself in this crazy topsy turvy condemning world... yes we can love God... |
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---bunnyblu on 5/5/08 |
One thing for sure is this>>>A person who is born with such an affliction that does not understand right from wrong will go to heaven, even if they should live to a ripe old age. |
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---catherine on 4/22/08 |
You can Google "Neurofeedback" and come up with many websites to explain what it is. Essentially, it is a non-invasive way to get one part of the brain to talk to another part of the brain more efficiently. The person looks at a computer game and controls it with his brain, no mouse is used. It's wonderful. |
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---Ann on 4/21/08 |
Ann, what is neurofeedback therapy? |
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---Christina on 4/13/08 |
I have a brother with CP. I look at him and it's like looking in God's eyes. He was put here to teach us patience and compassion and he's truly a force to be reckoned with.
Anyone who said to you or anyone for that matter that anyone of any special need cannot understand a real relationship with God...is probably blindly searching for God themselves when they can't see the Special person in front of them that God is saying: "This is my Friend Kathy". |
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---Nicola on 4/12/08 |
Maybe God looked down on all the gifted people of the world, and those of average intelligence who act like animals, and thought to Himself that he would make some people who he knew would make it to heaven, so he created Autistic and Downs babies. In my humble opinion, they have a far better chance of making it to Heaven, than the rest of us. |
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---frances008 on 4/11/08 |
There have been Autistic persons who were significantly healed by Neurofeedback therapy. Neurofeedback is a wonderful treatment for Autism as well as ADD/ADHD, traumatic brain injury and a host of other disorders. |
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---Ann on 4/11/08 |
I think we as human beings too often forget God's power and how he works...his ways are not our ways and what we don't understand, he completely does. God spoke to all types of people when he was here in person... just as he could extraordinarily speak to and touch a person then what makes us possibly think he can't now? He is our creator, he has breathed into us all the breath of life...he giveth and he takes away. |
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---Regina on 4/11/08 |
i truly believe no matter what our disadvantages we can all love and feel the presense of god in our lives,disadvantaged people are usually more in touch with god than the ordinary individual as they are usually more sensitive xx |
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---angie on 2/4/08 |
Where are all the Christians who are to be able to perform greater miracles than Jesus to heal mentally handicapped people to understand the gospel? There are none. They are all in church being hearers of the Word only. Christians must truly understand the death and ressurection of Jesus in their hearts. If they are not taken during the first resurrection they will surely be judged at the second ressurection. |
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---Steveng on 2/3/08 |
Autistic people can respond to love. God is love. Their response to love is a relationship with God through their parents, teachers, etc. They may not understand all about the Bible, but God knows what is in their heart and whether they are sheep or goats. They won't be condemned for not having been able to understand much. After all Jesus said 'To such little ones as these, belongs the Kingdom of Heaven.' |
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---frances on 2/1/08 |
I know an autistic teenager who responds wonderfully to praise music. I also know of autistic adults who cannot talk but can pray.????? |
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---Andrea on 2/1/08 |
hi does anyone has any reliable sources or materials on this topic? i was thinking of writing a research paper on this. but if the resources are too limited i would probably have to change topic. |
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---Nicky_Tay on 1/31/08 |
Autistic children have a great extra-sensory perception. Depending on the level of the autism, I am certain they can have a relationship with God. After all, they are so innocent and naive. Whether or not they understand about God, God must love them a lot. Parents of autistic children seem to be able to love their children a lot too. Religosity is something Jesus hates. |
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---frances on 1/30/08 |
People with Autisum CAN understand the love relaionship with God - you have been mislead if you think otherwise. This is infact the ONLY relationship they understand (because God loves them unconditionally, and created them to be in relationship with Him). God would NOT create His creation to not understand that. Infact every person in the world knows this fact (even if they don't know they do, or will not acknowledge they do). It was implanted into us before conseption. |
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---Leslie on 1/29/08 |
The Lord Jesus is the ultimate outsider. He was despised and rejected by others, from whom others hid, etc. (Isaiah 53) So people who are treated like they are not fully real, like they are not fully part of the human race can relate to the crucified God Christians worship. |
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---Paul on 1/28/08 |
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Every person is created in the image and likeness of God, and I think it is wrong to assume that anyone is incapable of loving God or having a relationship with Him. God loves all of His children and has a very special relationship with those who are a challenge to our own limited sensibilities.
God bless you, Kathy. |
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---lorra8574 on 7/30/07 |
What are the differences between Aspergers and Autism? Is there any? Is Aspergers the adult version of Autism in children?
Kathy, are you Kathr4453? |
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---Tracy on 7/30/07 |
I have Asperger Syndrome (an autistic spectrum disorder that one's ability to socially interact), and when I became convinced that God was there, and that the Bible was His Word, the ability to love Him came with time. |
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---Ben on 7/30/07 |
Typically, those with A.S. are characterized to be loyal in their relationships and more ridged in following the spoken rules. Maybe through these traits you can express your love to God...with loyalty and obedience. Seems like this is a weak point for people who claim to "love" god. |
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---Shawn on 3/2/07 |
I think God reaches each person on a different and unique level. God is not one size fits all, but custom to each of us. |
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---marcus on 2/21/07 |
God does talk. and He has like a zillion ways of talking to His people. AND He loves to talk to me through my intellect. NOW, before you jump here, IT only means that GOD has taught me. Yes, God can save anyone no matter the affliction. |
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---CATHERINE on 2/6/07 |
I believe they can understand, especially through their SPIRIT, if not intellect too, as someone pointed out. However the relationship part will probably be one-way (God gives- they receive) as they are self-centered due to the brain structure (low-functioning mirror neurons). Not true of the down-syndrome, whose mirror neurons function ok-they can love others in return. My son is autistic, but I don't expect him to love me back. |
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---Michaela on 2/5/07 |
Carla ::You are never alone Dear lady. I had a sister who lived for 21 years,with autistic Disability she was intelligent smart as a tack & you could not get any thing passed her she was loyal loving to a fault would even take punishment for things she did not do but would get her own with a good Hair Pulling & she had a grip like steel.She was our loving sister.she made her First Communion.Hope your 11year old boy will have the same tenacity as my little sister,My prayers are automatic hang in there. |
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---EMCEE on 1/16/07 |
The bigger question, why would it bother you at all to be on the same page, way back whenever? Is it the perceived stigma of autism that really bothers you? |
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---Charlie on 1/16/07 |
This name appears on my last response data I did not post the blogg 7/706 |
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---Carla5754 on 1/16/07 |
Are we just hearing about Aspergers/Autism more today, or has there always been so many cases? For the experts, are we any closer determining what causes this in families? |
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---Spike on 9/9/06 |
of cause dear they can..if you bring the child up to love God, am sure their brain can register what you have told them and sure, they will respond in different ways..we dont always know what they are thinking. they are also children of God..and God only knows their hearts and where it lies..with Him or other. |
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---jana on 8/24/06 |
As the mother of an 11 year old autistic boy, I had to respond that YES! they do. My son's spirit feels the Lord and reaches out to Him. His brain may not comprehend the Lord as we do (Who can really comprehend the Lord handicapped or not?)but his spirit reaches out to love the Lord. Whenever he becomes overwhelmed, he will often asked me to pray for him (my son is not real verbal either). He is smart enough to know to lean on the Lord which is more than I can say for most people. |
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---Carla on 7/17/06 |
God will not impute sin on anyone who can not understand. Babies do not have the ability to understand, how can they be accountable? God does not hold them accountable, you have to be able to understand to be accountable. |
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---geraa7578 on 12/20/05 |
Why do you think Autistic people do not feel a need for love? Maybe they just don't know how to show it or express it. We may think a hug expresses love, but to someone with a heightened sensitivity to the the sense of touch, a hug might not be a pleasant experience. We probably cannot truly know what an autistic person feels, especially if he can't tell us. |
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---Donna on 12/20/05 |
God's wrath and love pumps throught the veins of every human being wether we want to edknolege it or not. some of the "normal pople" lack the capacity to understad god; so how dare they question others! |
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---alpha_omega on 12/20/05 |
I dont think that autistic people feel the need for God's love because they don't feel the need of anyone elses love why would they need God's. |
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---Unknown on 12/9/05 |
God bless you Kathy, you are so very special to God, and to us here! |
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---NVBarbara on 6/20/05 |
i think from my own experience encountering autistic people is that they understand things different from what we do. Autistic people can be one of the smartest people around but grasp things different. i would guess they could have a relationship with God but as a different way than we do. i don't see any reason they can't because they live differently and reason like us. |
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---Jeannine on 6/18/05 |
yes they can. Babies understand love, so can they. God is love. And He knows us better than we know ourselves. No matter what your challenge in life, God knows about it. We are all more than what we appear to be on the outside. |
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---Laura on 6/16/05 |
Many thanks for all who replied to my question. May God bless you. I was actually told that rubbish by an expert in Autism.
Kathy Wong Chong (57 year old autistic who loves God more than any person) |
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---kathy on 6/16/05 |
I have worked in the field of the developmentally disabled for 7 years now and whether a person has autism or just mentally disabled at what ever level is only disabled through the brain functions. NOT THE SPIRIT.
I have learned through the leading of the Holy Spirit to minister to their spirit not their intellect. God is spirit and He says to worship Him in spirit and truth. God draws our spirit to Him. |
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---Renee on 6/15/05 |
, i once knew someone who studied autism and was convinced that those who disagreed with her had asperger's or autism. she then took the test and found out she was the one who was most likely had it. so, you never know. |
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---steve on 6/14/05 |
As a psychologist, I am aware that there are some cognitively-disabled, autistic people that are so low-functioning that they are unable to acknowledge God as many of us do. Remember that from he who has been given much, much is required, and from him who has been given little, less is required. Even the smartest among us cannot really know God as he is. We only know Him by what He reveals to us. |
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---jesse on 6/14/05 |
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Being on the Autistic Spectrum myself having a mild form of Asperger's Syndrome, let me assure you that we can love God, and just because some can not verbalize it or show they understand, does not mean that they do not understand. With God all things are possible. |
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---Tiffany on 6/14/05 |
Dear Kathy, Of course autistic people can know the love of our Lord! They may not "understand" as you say but our Father in heaven has given each of us a way to be near Him. In fact my personal belief is that He has a VERY special place in His heart for His lost lambs. May the peace and joy of Jesus be with you now and forever! |
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---Elsie on 6/14/05 |
Kathy, you've just proven that an autistic person can be intelligent, well-spoken and fully aware of what's going on in their lives. Some will never gain the level of "normalicy" that you have-(how many knew that the young fellow who played Albert Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie was autistic?)but Jesus loves them anyways, and will give them light that they can understand. He loves all His children, even those with mental disabilities. Lord love you. |
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---Ann5758 on 6/14/05 |
God can get through mental defects. |
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---Eloy on 6/14/05 |
Faith is not intellecual assent to certain propositions, nor is it "understanding" or "knowledge"--this is gnosticism.
Faith is a RELATIONSHIP, and it's one where God Himself takes the initiative. It's one that can begin at infancy, too! "You are my God from my mother's womb; my hope while I yet nursed at her breasts." Psalm 22 (What does this tell you about the justification for infant baptism, btw? :-) ) |
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---Jack on 6/14/05 |
I think that whoever told you that is mean spirited. It is not up to any of us to judge someone's relationship with God...that's up to God to do. Also keep in mind that many people are "religeous" without actually having a relationship with the Father. There are many who just put on a good show.
God loves you just as you are, and will meet you right where you are at! |
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---Tanya on 6/13/05 |
Autistic people, mentally handicapped people, understand(in their own way) about God.
I was caregiver to a down syndrome boy. He knew what it meant to love God. He could not speak. I had to do everything for him but, you should see him smile when the Bible was read or hynms sung. He laughed and claped his hands for joy at mention of God.
People are wrong to make such claims that autistic persons can't be "religious" we all worship and believe in our own way and God understands them all. |
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---Marla on 6/13/05 |
Kathy,
Most definitely Autistic people can have a relationship with God. A person may not able to understand things in man's terms, but God does not speak to our minds instead He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit directly to our hearts. He knew and loved each of us before we were born. He sent Jesus to die for each of us while we were sinners. Even if there was only one person alive on the earth and that person was Autistic, Jesus would have died to save his/her soul.
Loia7348 |
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---Loia7348 on 6/13/05 |
Kathy:
I believe that there are all different levels of autism. Some may be severely autistic which may limit what they understand. Some may understand more. But I definitely believe they can love the Lord! God knows every person's heart and he knows what our abilities are in regards to a relationship with him. I mean a new Christian has a different kind of relationship with God than does a more mature Christian -- but we are Christians nonetheless. |
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---Debbie on 6/13/05 |
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