Autistic Christian

John G. · Sep 9, 2024

Welcome, Thomas!
My son is autistic (Asperger's Syndrome) but he is always greeted in a friendly manner by pastor and elders at our church.
In fact, church is the one place I have no difficulty in getting him to go out with me.

ozso · Sep 9, 2024

AlexB23 said:
I second this, though I do prefer to go to church in person. Online is a stop-gap solution that can work well for some folks.

Personally I think it's better to fellowship in person with a small group. When you're as old as the OP and myself, it's too easy to be a total hermit.

Yusuphhai · Sep 9, 2024

Hi. Here is a forum for Autistic Christian.

Autism & Aspergers

Support forum for autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and caregivers.

www.christianforums.com

AlexB23 · Sep 9, 2024

ozso said:
Personally I think it's better to fellowship in person with a small group. When you're as old as the OP and myself, it's too easy to be a total hermit.

I do agree with you on that, so that is one of the reasons I joined a young adults group at my church in spring 2024. We have small gatherings every two weeks on Monday at a local bar. As a side note, I rarely drink alcohol (< 1 small glass every few months to a half year), but the cranberry juice there is good, and they do make 0% alcohol tropical drinks.

ozso · Sep 9, 2024

AlexB23 said:
I do agree with you on that, so that is one of the reasons I joined a young adults group at my church in spring 2024. We have small gatherings every two weeks on Monday at a local bar. As a side note, I rarely drink alcohol (< 1 small glass every few months to a half year), but the cranberry juice there is good, and they do make 0% alcohol tropical drinks.

That's it. I'm moving to Wisconsin.

I remember those young adult groups. Unfortunately it seems that kind of commerordery fades as we get older. It did for me at least.

AlexB23 · Sep 9, 2024

ozso said:
That's it. I'm moving to Wisconsin.

Come join the party, man.

Yes, a church group that goes to a bar. Pretty cool, isn't it?

ThomasNV · Sep 9, 2024

JohnB445 said:
I don't know if this could help, but maybe just for now in the short term, there are online Church services. Not saying its a long term solution, but just something you can do in the meantime.

I personally think that's a great idea and it's worked well for me. I've been attending online services regularly for a couple of years now. One thing I keep hearing from all these pastors is "you need to go to church in person". It just makes me feel useless when I hear this

ThomasNV · Sep 9, 2024

stevenb6 said:
I'm a schizophrenic Christian, I can relate. My last church didn't work out. Ended up being too much drama with other members outside of the church.

I was even invited to another after I left but held out. Hopefully I can find the right one as well.

I dont know how though, idk if it's the schizophrenia or something else but everyone I know thinks I'm a Satanist or sociopath.

Struggle is real, fortunately it doesn't matter what.others think, it's a personal relationship between us and God. His will be done, not ours.

I hope you find a church that works for you Steven! It's just sad when churches shun those who are not exactly like they are. Always stay strong. At the end of the day, we only need the approval of Jesus, not man.

Armchair Apologist · Sep 12, 2024

ThomasNV said:
Hi everyone! I'm an autistic Christian who has been rejected at every church (except one) that I've ever walked into. I'm hoping to find others who have had difficulties with churches not being very accomodating to those with autism. The bible says that we all need fellowship wity each other as well as with God. I'm hoping I can find that here.

I am newer than you but thanks for bringing this to our attention. It is certainly not something we should ever make light of! I know that in Church settings, first impressions are key and someone who is on the "Spectrum" would certainly be prone to miscues and misunderstandings that are not easily overcome. I am guessing it is much easier to articulate your thoughts in writing than in a "live" situation where you cannot go back and "edit" your words?

I have been told that I may be on the "spectrum" as well but maybe that is because I sometimes open up my mouth without thinking and say the first thing that is on my mind (lack of a social "filter")? I wonder if one could collect disability if they are actually diagnosed with Asperger's?

I do hope this forum gets you some good fellowship and interaction and I will keep an eye out for you. I would admonish you though, that there is no substitute for being part of a genuine congregation where people know you and you are known. Seems to me that you are already aware of this and desire such. If you find a good Church (one that is spiritually healthy and doctrinally sound), you may want to schedule an appointment with a member of the pastoral staff and discuss the "disability" that you have so they can be aware of this upfront. If they are understanding and sympathetic, I am certain they will help you to assimilate into the congregation as you become more comfortable and others get to know you. Also, I am guessing you likely have some sort of autistic "Super Power?" It would be cool to see what that is and perhaps God may have some sort of special "spiritual gift" related to this for you to use for his glory?

ThomasNV · Sep 12, 2024

Armchair Apologist said:
I am newer than you but thanks for bringing this to our attention. It is certainly not something we should ever make light of! I know that in Church settings, first impressions are key and someone who is on the "Spectrum" would certainly be prone to miscues and misunderstandings that are not easily overcome. I am guessing it is much easier to articulate your thoughts in writing than in a "live" situation where you cannot go back and "edit" your words?

I have been told that I may be on the "spectrum" as well but maybe that is because I sometimes open up my mouth without thinking and say the first thing that is on my mind (lack of a social "filter")? I wonder if one could collect disability if they are actually diagnosed with Asperger's?

I do hope this forum gets you some good fellowship and interaction and I will keep an eye out for you. I would admonish you though, that there is no substitute for being part of a genuine congregation where people know you and you are known. Seems to me that you are already aware of this and desire such. If you find a good Church (one that is spiritually healthy and doctrinally sound), you may want to schedule an appointment with a member of the pastoral staff and discuss the "disability" that you have so they can be aware of this upfront. If they are understanding and sympathetic, I am certain they will help you to assimilate into the congregation as you become more comfortable and others get to know you. Also, I am guessing you likely have some sort of autistic "Super Power?" It would be cool to see what that is and perhaps God may have some sort of special "spiritual gift" related to this for you to use for his glory?

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I typically do better with writing than speaking. I do wish to return to in-person church as Hebrews 10:25 tells us we should, but it's just been one failure after another on my part. I'm generally very quiet and reserved, not disruptive at all. I can easily sit through an entire service without getting fidgity. I guess people figure because I'm quiet, I must be standoffish or a jerk. Whatever the reason, it doesn't take them long to shun me. At this point, I must say I'm pretty discouraged.

Armchair Apologist · Sep 12, 2024

ThomasNV said:
Thank you for your reply! Yes, I typically do better with writing than speaking. I do wish to return to in-person church as Hebrews 10:25 tells us we should, but it's just been one failure after another on my part. I'm generally very quiet and reserved, not disruptive at all. I can easily sit through an entire service without getting fidgity. I guess people figure because I'm quiet, I must be standoffish or a jerk. Whatever the reason, it doesn't take them long to shun me. At this point, I must say I'm pretty discouraged.

Going to any new Church can be off-putting and it is often difficult to break the ice and to find acceptance among those who are in the "core" of the church and this is true even for "normal" people!

Never mind those who likely suffer some form of "social anxiety" and have genuine difficulty interacting among strangers! As I said, my wife thinks I may have Asperger's to some degree and she is my anchor and watches out for me! God has put us in a wonderful congregation where I not only belong but where I am also a leader and people look up to me! It did take us a while to get to where we are though and many times, I was quite frustrated with the "Church" experience myself. I see that you are my age and are widowed. Men who are "unattached" are often looked at with suspicion so I guess this is another strike against you! We have a few friends in the Las Vegas area and my wife always knows of some Filipina lady somewhere that wants to get "fixed up!" I can tell you firsthand that the ones who are not crazy are absolute keepers!

Now I am thinking of someone from a year or so back who used to attend our Church. He was single and seemed a little "odd" and was thinking he may have been on the spectrum. There were a couple instances where he "spoke out" during the preaching and our pastor was not too happy about it! They were watching him like a hawk and likely confronted him at some point although I insisted that he was harmless and so long as he was not harassing anyone, he should be allowed to stay. Interacting with you here makes me realize I could have done more and I feel bad that I probably was not the deacon I should have been! I could have extended a little more hospitality than I did! I often find myself praying for him.

As I said, find a good Church and reach out to the pastoral staff. If you can hit it off with the pastor, he will help you to find your place in the congregation. A good resource I use and recommend is the 9 Marks Church Finder Church Search. If you would like to chat privately, you can always contact me via private chat. I will be praying for you that God directs you to the right congregation.

ThomasNV · Sunday at 9:31 PM

Armchair Apologist said:
Men who are "unattached" are often looked at with suspicion so I guess this is another strike against you!

Well that's good to know. I suppose it's useless to continue walking into churches where I have 2 strikes against me. If the Lord doesn't honor my attendence at online services, then I don't know what much I can do about it

Armchair Apologist · Sunday at 10:56 PM

ThomasNV said:
Well that's good to know. I suppose it's useless to continue walking into churches where I have 2 strikes against me. If the Lord doesn't honor my attendence at online services, then I don't know what much I can do about it

Well, I really did not mean to bum you out about it but it is one more reason why you need to take the initiative to approach the pastoral staff. Unfortunately, it is part of man's natural sinful nature to be prejudiced and think the worst of someone! It is also a cold, hard fact that church congregations are a magnet for sexual perverts and other predators so we really cannot blame people for having their guard up! The best way to visit a new Church is probably as an invited guest of one of the members!

Like I said, meet with someone on the pastoral staff. If you do not get the "warm fuzzies" from them, look for another church. Wish I could be of more help than this but I will be praying for you.

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