I am an autistic christian and have battled this in the church. It's pure ignorance and complete lack of understanding as to what autism is. Trying to address it in my circles . You can't cast out a spirit that ain't there!
damn, the problem i see is that some % of religious people are just normall like here (damn, even christian furries), and other part are freaks that abuse religion because they are lustfull for power and stuff.
But they can use normalized abnormal psychology and spirituality to try to make you take drugs to dumb you down and disassociate from your true divine nature, keeping you playing small, not recognizing the aspects of god they are missing within themselves. Blame shifting and excuses why you are born less than perfect as they have been. Just like Adam pointing at Lillith saying sge had to submit her refusing and leaving. Then pointing at Eve as the one that corrupted him. Weak minded, passive aggressive, winey fool that he was.... Be strong my love. ❤ its the true light in you that irritates their false light and demons.
They don't realize that Babylonian physicians were the height of science... 2000 years ago. Not everything in the Bible is gospel. Especially in medicine.
You know it strikes me that the people who like to accuse others of being demonic/possessed, are also the ones who act the most like a demon. I've never seen a more hateful group of people.
Oh, and as a wheelchair user... yeah. Like, 80% of what "disables" me is structural stuff that could be easily fixed or mitigated by the addition of a ramp or lift. The rest is just that my brain's all fucky, which affects how I move my body and does prevent me from doing some things, but daily life it's all stuff that should have just been automatic under the ADA.
I grew up in the Southern Baptist church. I wasn’t diagnosed autistic until my 40s, but people back then knew I was different. Meltdowns? Nightmares? Probably demons. Special interest in fantasy fiction? Dabbling in witchcraft. I’m actually glad I was late diagnosed because I *know* I would’ve experienced this nonsense. The fact that this still goes on breaks my heart & is one reason why I’d never consider being religious again.
I don't understand why they automatically think demons are making someone behave in a way they don't like because they want to control and abuse. It's like they think they know everything and is superior to people who is not how they expect them to be because that makes it difficult for them to continue with their harmful rules. Autism is something to be proud of though it's very hard to be authentic because of bullies. This makes me so upset and I can't really express myself but I hope you understand what I mean.
The more I hear about Baptists, the more thankful I am for my liberal Catholic upbringing. I still love the routine of Mass, even if I'm not... you know... a practicing Catholic. (Went pagan, never went back.)
I can't help noticing the parallels with the 'pray away the gay' approach taken by the same kind of people, casting it as a demonic affliction that can be cured by some ritual, but essentially shaming the individual into masking their true identity to gain acceptance in their community and family.
Thank You, this is very validating. I have autism and a neurological condition that results in convulsions. I have had demons "cast out" as a teen and because I struggled with social situations was told I was evil. It is hard to break from family, but the situation is toxic, and believe that Christ would want me to practice self love.
@@Salt_of_the_Red_Earth_31 Christ wants you well; we cannot do His work if we are always ill and exhausted from interacting with hurtful people! Please, take care of yourself! ❤️
You know, this hits hard specially now that I was diagnosed as autistic literally last week And I found out recently that I am appearently heavily judged in the church I have been attending with my family since I was 6 My mom confessed to me that lots of people have approached her in the past and at the beginning of this year, gossiping about me and suggesting that I could be "possessed" for *insert all my autistic traits* And lots of people have a negativity view on me, even the pastor and his wife think I am some sort of rebel or black sheep who hates God or something. And ngl, it sucks, and it hurts. Specially bcs this would be the second time something like this happens, and it was literally in the same place For context: That same church used to have a school that I attended when I was 6 all the way to 11, when I left said school for highschool, I found out thanks to my cousin and a few classmates from said school that I was appearently hated in that place and that ever since I had left people would constantly talk shit about me. So yeah, I don't even know what to think anymore or feel. Ever since I found out about this I haven't been able to see that place with the same eyes, it just reminded that even in church surrounded by peopke who are supposed to 'love thy neighbor' I am completely alone
Congratulations on the autism! 🎂 I am sorry you've had this experience; of people judging you. It's a common thing, I've found, in religious communities. Ironic enough that Jesus apparently stated, 'Judge not lest you be judged yourself'. Spend time in your interests and passions and find community with others who enjoy the same things. -Mike 🧡
I apologize on behalf of all Christians. I would not want to be those guys when they get to stand before God. Also, I, too got judged by some people at churches for my autistic traits. This is not very Christlike, but they can all bite me. Or maybe they should just kick rocks.
@@honglian4530 It sounds like your mom isn’t okay with the stuff being said about you, so maybe there’s that? I feel your feels, fellow autist; when asked what made me think I might be autistic, the answer I had ready was “I struggled to complete programs of education in spite of doing very well in the classroom because I had trouble in the work-like environments towards the ends. I’ve been fired from actual jobs several times, including twice from my current one (don’t ask, whole other story). I’ve lost most of my friends to ghosting or outright rejection over the years. I’ve struggled to understand what was going on and have successful partnerships in romance.”. Fortunately, my church has shown no desire to kick me out! 🫤
I am so glad that you tackled this issue. And it is a major ISSUE. As a Christian (Catholic specifically) it sickens me to see these "preachers" demonizing autism and claiming it can be cured or prayed away. My experience as an autistic in the Catholic Church has been great, but seeing these people spread lies and misinformation is deeply saddening.
4:03. This woman obviously forced this kid to mask. I wish he was just trolling her. I wish people would stop bullying these kids and let them be. They aren’t harming anyone
Ah yes the trauma of hearing "God can cure you if you pray with enough faith". As a person with some other disabilities I've heard this throughout my entire life and it really messes your mental health when you pray to God for a cure and it never comes. Also unrelated but Mike I absolutely love your sweater! Kinda wanna know where you got it haha
This is why I don’t pray for cures or healing, but for strength and comfort. May you have much of both, from whatever source you prefer to ascribe them to! ❤️
Ahhh the sweater haha. It’s a couple of years old now and came from a summer sale of a high street fashion chain. Nobody wants cosy sweaters in the summer they may have thought… 😅😊
That little boy who was "cured of autism" around the 4 minute mark sure showed a lot of black and white thinking in his story of good vs bad, and rigid thinking as if he was now just good as a binary choice.😅 Poor kid 🙏
He still just seems like he's masking. He still speaks very monotone and he sounds like he's speaking off the memorised script of what's socially acceptable. This is why I think we can be so vulnerable to manipulation, it's our first instinct to fall in with the crowd and copy what gets us social validation. It's a survival tactic. But when you fall in with a crowd like this you have to memorise the scripts for how to act when exorcised and you probably believe it worked too, because that's what everyone around you told you was true, and going against it is going to have drastic social consequences.
Remember the nts voted in the aspie Hitler guy. They to ought could use him and thrown him away. Really the nts never were okay and I don’t h to my ever will be okay.
@@johnrickard8512Men smoking was completely normal in the 50’s. One of my grandfathers died of lung cancer at 38. The other had his first heart attack at 39 and died of his fourth at 54. 😑
I feel so bad for him. I want to jump into the screen and tell him he was never possessed, he’s just autistic like me. There are good parts and bad parts to autism. I feel so sorry for him if he has a meltdown again he’s going to think demons are back and that he’s a “bad” kid. 😢I don’t hate his parents, they are miseducated and tired.
Lack of understanding of diversity is a problem in many churches. I think that God has used my autism to protect and lead me. My autistic logic and pattern recognition has helped to grow my sense of discernment. Unlike some, I do not take everything as truth, no matter the source. I’m also resistant to peer pressure and don’t look to others to figure out the “right” decisions. When I’m at church, my goal is to worship God and not to make it just another social event. I don’t excessively seek money, power, or control. As long as my sensory needs are met and I feel regulated, I’m content. All of these traits seem related to my autism, and they all seem like good traits to me!
I also think God uses autism to help me in a variety of ways. Christianity is my special interest. I don’t see my religion as separate from real life or logic. Not fitting in with others made me resistant to peer pressure and I can share the gospel easily with friends and strangers. Even the downsides of autism mean I am forced to rely on God more and be humble… not thinking I’m better than anyone. I can empathize with others more than a lot of people can because I’ve experienced a lot.
This kind of dogma made me leave my religion entirely. I was raised Pentecostal and my parents purposely neglected me; refusing to let me try much-needed medications for my ADHD, antagonizing me constantly and attempting to trap me in said situation. And to rub salt in the wound, they essentially told me to “pray it away”, which lead me to committing drastic acts to “cure” myself of my disabilities. My grandmother denied my diagnosis and told me that autistic people were “demons/monsters sent by Satan to sway people away from God”. So here I was; isolated, abused and neglected, constantly crying out to an all powerful God to save me from my situation. Too bad that little girl got no such requested relief and was left to rot. To have an all-knowing God place you in such a situation with no way to escape his followers, God is going to have to ask me for forgiveness if he exists. Like I was to God, God doesn’t exist to me.
No demonic, May be god created autistic and ADHD people to point out that which no one wants to look at. This lyric of Stary Stary Night makes me think. "Now I understand What you tried to say to me How you suffered for your sanity How you tried to set them free. They would not listen They did not know how Perhaps they'll listen now."
@@IJustAnimateThatsTheJist I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. I can’t even imagine. I too grew up in a Christian environment and even though I didn’t experience demonization of my autism I still struggled with fitting in. I prayed to be saved many times as I always felt like there was something wrong with me and I had a severe fear of Hell. I also deal with OCD so wanting to be absolutely certain of my salvation made my fear debilitating at times. I was never given a sign that a god was even there let alone if I was truly saved. Let’s just say after years of doing my own research on Christianity and watching debate videos I eventually realized none of it was real. I’ve been an atheist for over 13 years now. I don’t deal with fear so much any more though I do have a lot of resentment towards religion for all the harm it’s caused me as well as others. It’s so freeing to realize that none of this demonic possession, god’s wrath or hell exists. The world is scary enough without some invisible boogeymen making it worse.
As a raised atheist-turned-Methodist-turned-Catholic, you have a right to shield yourself from things that hurt you, first and foremost. Unfortunately, people seem to think that praying long enough, or hard enough, or in the right way, is the trick to having one’s prayers answered; these people also tend to have never tried that approach when confronted with an impossible life situation… 😬
It’s not only pastors who have stated these things… but I’ve had members of various churches who’ve had their strange opinions about autism, adhd and ocd said to me. If you change your diet… etc etc etc One pastor told me you don’t act like the autistic people in the care home where I use to preach, so are you really autistic? Sigh…
I’ve heard this my whole life. As a Christian, thank God I’ve had my own personal faith experiences or I’d never be a Christian. Such a sick culture. There’s always a demon somewhere.
I just want to say that there are a lot of Christians who are accepting, thank Good. My church, for one, is very good with neurodiversity. There are six of us that I know of and a couple of folks that I suspect.
This happened to me here in the UK. Back in the early 1990's, I had a born-again Hellfire-and-brimstone fundamentalist teacher who thought my robotic movements, monotone speech with zero filter, ADHD resting-deathglare-face, and meltdowns were signs that I was *literally* a demon. This lead to her standing me up in front of half the school and stating that other pupils would have her full permission to "bully the demon out" of me. This was a run-of-the-mill C of E Primary School, not even some fringe one, and all other adults that heard or heard of it let it stick. All that hostility, plus a few gaslightey prayers directed at me eventually ended up in a meltdown that would probably have convinced some atheists that she was right, requiring a minor evacuation, and me going to a boarding school designed to oppress that pesky autism out of the pupil at any cost, and despite a secular outward appearance, that was a fundamentalist school...! I don't want to unpack what happened there, but it was less about education, more about "reeducation."
Things like this make me so embarrassed and ashamed to live in the United States. The religions here are so extreme, and their dogma so damaging! Thank you for raising awareness of this issue, as heartbreaking as it is.
Try not to be overly dramatic. He has provided a few isolated, anecdotal examples here. Most religious people don’t feel this way about us. I can think of two other Autistic TH-camrs who abuse Reddit posts to create instant victimization, to generate clicks, and both of them have British accents. (That said: I’m not religious, and totally feel like a victim of society)
@@j.b.4340 I come from a large family, and was raised Mormon. Believe me, I know religious extremism. I've been around it my entire life, and had to cut ties with some of my family members because of their abuse. I've lived in several different states, and have never been able to get away from it. Thanks to Trump and other extremists, Christian Nationalism has taken hold of this country. I'm legitimately concerned for our future.
I am Christian and I have autism. I followed God my whole life but ended up having a breakdown. So hearing these comments from church leaders is beyond frustrating. I wasn't diagnosed until I have adults I think it was a combination of lack of understanding as it was 90's and our understanding has moved on. I don't understand why Church gets its so wrong. I went to an autism training course provided by the methodist church and I found discussion where I found the focus was supporting caretakers to manage their autistic loved ones... I brought up the double empathy problem that its not fair to just blame autistic people as neurotypical are unable to relate to me. I found the person leading was very dismissive and just said it was a theory. Sometimes I feel like people want a pat on the back for tolerating autistic people. Its ok if people, feel alienated and lonely just as long as no ones saying what they thinking out loud right? The best advice is find my people.
This is pretty much routine in most evangelical churches, world wide - the sort of churches that think they have a right to tell you how to vote and give enormous amounts of money to political parties while claiming charity status for tax purposes.
Most of these evangelical churches not only think this way of autistics but Ive heard them refer to people suffering from depression anxiety or panic disorder and demonic possession. As someone who is highly sensitive and has sensory issues plus i battle with depression anxiety and panic disorder all of my life I have come to terms with me needing meds to keep me from spiraling. Unfortunately this is way too common thinking and its unfortunate. Ive also been told that the reason im not cured of my type 1 diabetes and chronic pain is because I dont have enough faith in Hods healing and to pray more. Ive learned to ignore these ignorant thoughts and beliefs instead of fighting them
My parents love Greg Locke and disowned me many years ago, claiming I’m demonically possessed, and stole my son, who’s also autistic from me then disappeared. I don’t know how I wake up every morning… I don’t even want to, the pain never goes away.
I am Catholic, and I can tell you that plenty of saints showed clear autistic traits. Not shocking, perhaps, that people cool with never marrying and going off to cloister themselves or serve the needy for life while doing ritualistic, repetitive prayers multiple times a day every day might be more likely to be autistic… oh, and we don’t have a formal procedure for testing “miracles” NOW. We’ve HAD a formal procedure for this for centuries, at least, maybe over a millennium. Bishops do NOT love this part of the job; getting called to a crying statue or something and trying to determine if, as is usually the case, it is a hoax. Not all cases are determined to be hoaxes, though, but even if no tomfoolery is found, we are not required to believe in modern miracles, only those found in the Bible, which may have happened, I wasn’t there. 🤷♀️
That's disgusting and ridiculous. I am autistic (not diagnosed yet), physically disabled and I have sight issues. The doctors said I would never be able to speak, read or anything else. Now, I'm an aspiring writer with a music degree and more knowledge than most of my family. All of this only took perseverance and original ways, like teaching the alphabet first. I was 3 and only making sounds. Since that moment, I talked perfectly and I could already read when other children were taught how to. Edit: my parents both were Christians but they helped me, made huge efforts to adapt themselves to me.
This is heartbreaking and very traumatic for those that have suffered through this. The damage extensive. Thank you for addressing this Mike it needed to be done. A man who stands as a man of God and twist the ei🎉d of god is holding hands with the demonic influences he believes in… knowingly with full cooperation. No excuse to lead others into false belief and hurting so many. 💔
Strange how autism is demonized in these cases yet symptoms of schizophrenia are seen as divine. These views are so harmful and extremely outdated. Thank you for covering this topic! 💜
Oh boy… watching that boy “be healed” was so devastating. I’ll have to come back and watch the rest of this video later. Thank you for covering such an important topic ❤
I'm convinced that these people simply don't want to be bothered with something new or different. Autism can be very demanding, even for the person who has it.
As a Christian, and a recently diagnosed autistic adult, with a special interest in Christian theology that has lasted my whole life, these “pastors” have always saddened me. So here’s my opinion on a way autistic people have and still could be awesome for Christian communities, diagnosis or no: Monks: what sounds more autistic than cloistering yourself in a community where you know EXACTLY how you’re supposed to behave and the social norms, cause most of them are written down and spelled out point by point (even to how you’re supposed to hold your hands in church, which hands for me are a thing that I have no idea what to do ever so having specific positions that can end up being stims to calm me down really helps), and having a special interest in prayer/mysticism or creating manuscripts, lack of eye contact is often seen as a sign of humility and isn’t nearly as stigmatized in most cases. There’s a constant routine and if there’s any drastic changes, it’s probably something you should be focusing on to the exclusion of everything else anyways. You always know what’s coming day to day. People like this have been responsible for scientific advancements, scholasticism, preserving knowledge from the ancients, translating texts, hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, healing people who actually need healing, giving advice on how to navigate the challenges of life, how to be a better person, and I’d venture to guess there are many undiagnosed autistics who are monks now and many others in the past from before we know what autism was, they just ended up gravitating to an environment that suited them the best. TL/DR: My theory is a lot of monks were/are autistic people with a special interest in God that spilled into other aspects of life creating side-special interests that they also devoted all their lives to that and were ultimately a net positive for society.
Oh, definitely. Organized religion has always been kind of paradoxical in its treatment of neurodivergence, mental "illness" (lots of conditions that are heavily pathologized today weren't automatically regarded as aberrant in the past), and general difference. There's the "it's all demonic" angle, of course, but you also have cloistered monks and nuns, hermits, shamans, mystics, the semi-privileged position of court fool... People who heard voices or saw visions or suddenly exhibited entirely different personalities were often thought to have a direct connection to the divine, not the demonic. While general conditions are definitely better now, I do think we've abandoned some ways of thinking about neurodiversity that would better have stuck around.
My mother and I have very good long-term memories, as is common in the autistic community. My mother recalls hearing adults recounting the family history of a disabled girl being killed/murdered in an exorcism. Given when she heard it, it likely happened during world war 2 or between the wars, so don’t freak out about reporting it like a past therapist did. I do want to post this to provide evidence that such practices can not only harm people, but also murder them.
At the very least, it can prevent seeking treatment, for example, for type 1 diabetes, which of course will be fatal. God sent us brilliant scientists and doctors who puzzled out the secrets of the human body and developed ways to give most healthy babies long, full lives; why are we not accepting the rowboats and helicopters He has sent?!? 🤨
@@a_little_demon+ Yeah, there’s several stories of exorcisms on TH-cam where the person is clearly disabled/neurodivergent and would be starved to death. It’s really messed up; especially the older stories where nobody would bat an eye over the loss of life.
I saw this pop up an hour after it was posted and unlike 99% of all the other times I see your content pop up, I did not rush to watch it. I had to wait a while until I felt ready, knowing it could bring up some traumatic memories of undiagnosed neurodivergence. I'm glad I waited AND I'm glad I finally watched, too! I was also in an Evangelical Christian environment growing up & in my late teens, etc. & boy, could I go on some tangents about mental illness seen as demonic influences and patriarchy threatened by teen girl observational powers... I digress... So much for me to process about this part of my life, but I am glad you are opening this space for discussion and documenting that this insanity is still going on ( I left at the tail end of the 80's Satanic Panic era in the 90's, shortly after Mike Warnke was outed as lying about his satanic past... again with my digressive nature....) and its helpful to look back now that I know ASC runs in my family. I have been hiding my echolalia and vocal stimming from everyone for decades but it always made me scared to admit it happened partly because of the religious whackery I was raised in. I really couldn't account for how out of control it could be at times and seemingly within my purview at other times.( I cannot focus today, really. ) The other Dxs (Bi-polar, Anxiety, PTSD, dissociation, a womb that hangs out in my armpit on melancholy Sunday afternoons, etc, etc) didn't help to explain those traits and therapy never put a dent in managing it (more often making it worse, of course). I just wanted to point out that perhaps this is another reason why I love watching you and your channel so much, -it was my empathy and desire to be a good person that kept me devoted to religion, it was the same that brought me out of it, too. I suspect there's an aspect of that or two that I see in you and find recognizable. That you are a fellow "survivor" of evangelical Christianity is another point of familiarity to share. I'm very glad you are taking this venture into advocacy for all of us nuanced & complicated late/un/mis -diaganosed atistic AF people out here. Thanks always!!!!
Some of the most respectful, decent and nice people are covered in tattoos, dyed hair, with really alternative outfits and accessories, while some of the most judgemental and ignorant people are old-fashioned, conservative and go to church every week.
My doctor (pcp), started making me (putting them in my hand), take these little Christian prayer pieces of paper, AFTER I was diagnosed with autism. She didn’t diagnose me because she was too busy misdiagnosing me with the usual things an autistic woman gets accused of having because there is such a dearth of knowledge in the medical field about exactly what autism is. Contrary to what some religious people believe, I am not possessed by a demon. 😂 She is no longer my doctor and I will be filing a couple of formal complaints against her for all of what she put me through. I still can’t figure out why doctors have been my worst bullies. I’m in a much better place mentally now that I dont see her.
Excellent video Mike! Thank you for highlighting this, nevermind how scientifically baseless their whole premise is, religious trauma is real and the world is troublesome enough to navigate for neurodivergent people without adding religious shame, scapegoating and fear of demons to their experience. You do important work and the time and care you put in is greatly appreciated.
God made me autistic. I am perfectly made for my spiritual development during this incarnation on earth. Apparently it’s advantageous to this development in some way, to experience life while looking through a different lens than most other people. I’m thankful to God for how I am. Perhaps I am put here, also, so people can learn to be tolerant and non-judgemental, and to be less selfish and unkind. That’s right…Hi. I’m your Test. God sent me. Lol 😆
Agreed. You sound like an amazing person. You be you. I'm struggling with this a lot too. I believe in God, but I was bullied too much at church to want to go back. One of those was a church elder. But I don’t blame God for human folly.
Thank you for sharing. I was upset with God when I suddenly realized as an adult that most of the suffering I had endured on earth came directly as a result of being autistic. I was questioning why my life had to be this way. When I was praying about it, I felt God comfort me and assure me that He was teaching me two things: to not be afraid and to depend wholly on God because I really can't do it on my own. God has a purpose for the way we are and things we go through in life.
My family's first dog was called Tosca, too. My parents got her before I (the eldest child) was born and she was amazing. She was a Collie-German Sheperd mix and loocked so much like a wolf, even vets usulally did a double take when the saw her.
People like this don't exactly represent a majority, but it is frustratingly common to encounter them over here in the states. They are typically the sort of people who assert that the Bible - and their interpretation thereof - is one of, if not the only source of valid wisdom and guidance. God is superior to all, including any medical professional. Whenever a clash or contradiction occurs, they go to scripture every time, as to contradict God or otherwise dispute the Bible (again, as they interpret it) is blasphemous. Thus, they've backed themselves into a bit of a rhetorical corner. In limiting themselves to such a framework, it is almost inevitable that demons or Satan become their explanation for any atypical psychological or neurological states, among other things that they are unable or unwilling to understand.
I love your videos and I really appreciate you sharing this. I can't watch the rest because of how close to home this hits from my lived experience. But I'm so glad you're getting that out there. Thank you
Ok, so…I was born and raised in a Free Will baptist Christian family, and I was diagnosed with autism at 4 years old. My parents did notice something was different about me, and so…they pushed to get me a diagnosis. Once we got it, my mom did as much proper research as she could, in order to understand my diagnosis. Autism. Is. Not. Of. The. Devil. Autism is a neurological, developmental, disorder! Not a disease, not demon possession, just a different way of neurological development. God made me this way, Why? I don’t know. But I do know this…without autism, i wouldn’t be me. These pastors need to be educated, because this is just unacceptable. I’m thankful my pastor at my church isn’t like this, he’s kind and understanding, and he respects people who are different. More pastors need to just be understanding, it’s not that hard to do.
The story about the three year old reminds me so much of my dad. I grew up with hearing aids and he attributes me not using them anymore to a miracle. I was nearly deaf at like 6 or 7, one of my earliest memories is of one of the women in my house running after me while I was going to play and grabbing me to turn my brand new hearing aids on; I’d had no idea she was yelling for me. But I was never actually deaf and my hearing was never really at stake; it got better just like my doctor thought it would, gradually, but my dad acts as if me finally retiring my hearing aids in middle school was the first time I heard clearly without them. I don’t know if my doctor didn’t keep him up to date with every time she lowered my volume or if he’s really just that brainwashed but it makes me angry every time he calls it a miracle as if the doctor didn’t do anything for me.
@@plutoniumlollie9574 But nobody else in the family is “like that”! 🙃 (This was actually what my MIL said when I tried to gently suggest that having 3 of 7 adult kids unable to function without parental or parent-like supervision might indicate something… especially since daughter of one of those kids has now been diagnosed autistic… pretty sure she’s convinced it only came from MY side! Her son, daughter’s father, died of cancer several months before the formal diagnosis, so no way of knowing what he would have thought… poor man… 😔)
@@misspat7555 Same with my mother. She was quick with finger pointing. I can't tell, from which side it might be from, as my father passed away when I was quite young. It's annoying, because it's not like autism is something one should be ashamed of. This kind of attitude is just keeping those, who need help from getting it, which is indeed shameful.
i experienced years of pain and trauma as an autistic child at the hands of religious family members and their leaders. thank you for covering this topic with care and sensitivity.
Their children are still autistic and shall be autistic for the rest of their lives. Learn to accept and love them as they are. Help them to become their best autistic selves
Oh wow, people still have beliefs like this in this day and age? it's archaic! Autism is not the problem, it's the attitudes and beliefs of people that is the problem. I know some people will believe anything they are told but wow, I was not aware it was quite this bad! I feel bad for the families that have Autistic family members that choose to follow in these types of beliefs. It's so lovely to see all the kittens settled in their forever homes now. They are such cool little big cats already! 😸😸❤️ Thank you Mike for an eye opening video, and for the cutest little kitties on the planet! 😊
Thank you so much for your videos! I relate so wildly to this; I was raised in an evangelical household and my neurodevelopment / social struggles were always covered with religious rhetoric instead of allowing me to go through any diagnostic process. I’m 29 now and having to deconstruct the damage, but have finally been diagnosed with ASD and am learning to enjoy life for the first time. Just wondering… would you be interested in making a video about your experience in Christian culture and how it affected you as an autistic person? I would be so interested to hear more about it! Many thanks! 🙏🏻
@@colbyboucher6391 Hey, they could be autistic, too… most adults who are autistic probably aren’t aware of it, and just know the shame and rejection for their natural, harmless (but “weird”, “annoying”) behaviors… 😕
@@misspat7555 yes! Black and white thinking, and a tendency towards confirmation bias! My clearly autistic mother believes every vaccine related og extremist health related conspiracy. I am living proof, that vaccination does not cause autism… 🤷♀️
These videos are sad for me to see as an autistic christian 🙁 in my country, most christians are kind people and are ok with autism. my boyfriend has inattentive adhd and he is also a christian and the kindest person i know. Most christians i meet in real life are understanding. aside from me, there is a little autistic girl in a church i attended and her family and other people in the church seemed to really care about her and openly talked to me about her differences. but it makes me sad that this is how some people view religion. i don't think these opinions about autism are actually biblical. i think there is a difference between christians who read the bible with an open mind to actually view what GOD intended, and christians who read the bible just to "prove" their own beliefs.
"i think there is a difference between christians who read the bible with an open mind to actually view what GOD intended, and christians who read the bible just to "prove" their own beliefs." Yo, that's a REALLY good way of looking at it, actually.
I’m an autistic American and Christian. This isn’t an “American thing.” The videos here are from a few extreme fringe pastors. Most churches are not like this.
That boy Who makes a video saying that he went from a bad boy to a good boy after 5F church, Very clearly talks and acts As an autistic person. It's super sad and tragic that he is going to literally internalize that he's somehow bad And that's why he's still that way. 😥 I was raised religious but never once was it ever implied that autism is evil or bad or anything like that. I always thought that I had some major character flaw as an adult because of it Because I simply didn't know that I was autistic until in my 40s. And that's when I realized I am completely normal it's just not normal for society. I've had huge struggles with Not wanting to live and considering taking my own life over It was very regular for years. And that's coming from someone who Never ever Never ever ever saw autism As a bad thing. In fact I was very taken aback and went into an autistic breakdown For days, because of constantly being punished without fail Specially by employers for having good intention, After relatives reacted to me as if I was telling them that my brother and therefore his children need to be evaluated And his wife thought I was saying that he had some sort of major mental illness and need to be on medication WTF?!!! It's still awful because I really want to save my nieces and nephews from the emotional trauma and PTSD that I have I can't Do something that might trigger it because it can still be life threatening and very dangerous when that happen happens and I Do something that might trigger it because it can still be life threatening and very dangerous when that happens and I have a exhausted all resources and the community when that Do something that might trigger it because it can still be life threatening And I've exhausted all resources in the community and so now my only option is to avoid. But the same time It makes my heart hurt even more for them because it serves as such a huge reminder that I don't wanna see any of them go through this especially the daughters because they're the world is crazy It makes my heart hurt even more for them because it serves as such a huge reminder that I don't wanna see any of them go through this especially the daughters because the world is crazy mean to autistic women Both in work but also in relationships. I'm divorced and his Where due to all things related to him that and him making assumptions about my character. Now I just don't date because men are so mean and just reject me over and over but because I'm attractive they have no problem using my body But that's all they see me good for. I just don't date. Also this is an FYI for anyone who is interested in knowing about demonic possession. Because that's definitely what they're claiming that boy had and not just Being Being influenced by evil. Have have a big interest in it and have done A lot of research and talk to people and go on 1st hand accounts I'm Sure what to make of it. I am really just. I am re. I am really just. I am really . I am a . I am really religious But it's still just super Bizarre to me. Anyway everyone agrees That true possession is very rare And it can only happen if that person invites them in. A young child is not able to do that. They can have evil spirits living and do to SA But that's very different than something else controlling you. A super young child Like a little baby or 2 year-old when autism is 1st noticed absolutely It's not Possessed. It is absolutely not possible And that comes from the catholic church Who is the primary Best resource On it.
Woh Mike that was a hard watch. And you going through those video and research must of been even harder... And you do it to help the Auti community. Thank you, your sooooòo appreciated And respected.
While I’m not diagnosed, my family have long believed that I’m autistic, and we’re beginning to believe I also have ADHD. I thank them for allowing me to explore religion myself, despite being raised Christian. Had this have happened to me, rather than them accepting me for who I am… Well, I dread to think the state I’d be in now.
Thanks Mike, for another awesome video. You are really tackling the important issues and saying what needs to be said. Thanks for the much needed kitten breaks too ❤🐱
Wilson! Get down!....wiiiiiilllLLLLSSOOOOON! Great video on an important topic. I've met many an autist who was put off religion BECAUSE of attitudes & misinformation of this nature.
I met one pastor once who said he was autistic and he was healed by god. As an autistic person I think god did a poor job at healing him like this guy claimed of his autism. Since I knew he still had autism. Know matter what the former foster parents told me that he was healed I knew autism is some you are born for life to have. So I am surprised they were so dipped by this guy.
I think this is common amongst autistic people. Right around 3, my parents took me into the doctor with concerns about my speech. I spoke but only a word or 2 at a time. They found no issues back then 🙄. Not long after, I just started speaking in full sentences one day. Now I have very few memories from that age but I feel strongly that it was a choice. I understood language and could use it quite well at times for a 3 year old, I simply didn't naturally verbalize. I used my voice because it was expected, and I picked up on that even at that young age. Even now, I tend to be a quiet person most of the time. Hearing that last story just resonated with the little me that still lives in my brain. 😂 This also shows how biased diagnosis has been the past, just one sign missed. Like my mother, who was brought in as an infant because she never smiled, but nope, she was totally normal 😂
damn that first guy if i was there i wouldve ran away (i tend to run away when im stressed lol) because god that is not just a crappy hot take thats some ableist deranged shit
A friend of mine who is most likely autistic (self-diagnosis) didn't speak until she was four. Her explanation: she just didn't feel the need to talk until she went to a pre-school and the adults there didn't understand her needs. So she started talking. No miracle there, just a kid who decided that talking would solve a problem.
I'm so sorry for this narrative, I'm a theologically reformed Christian and we would never hear this from the pulpit! So sorry. (Also, these guys think everything is a demon including women)
"The bible doesn't stigmatize autistic people. Why do they?" Very poignant quote. These people don't preach Christianity. They preach conformity. I'm not anti-religious, but stuff like this has always scared me away from the church. The way these people will so casually spread ignorant and potentially dangerous misinformation purely on the basis of belief. I will always value research and critical thinking over blind faith and fear mongering.
I am so triggered and I haven't even watched the video. I'll have to come back to it... Just felt it would be relevant to say that I was never explicitly told any of my traits were demonic, but the teachings I received did cause me to reach those conclusions on my own. I believed I was being attacked and potentially possessed by demons due to the symptoms of my undiagnosed autism and other conditions. One side of my family (including that parent) continues to believe mental health is not real to this day, insisting all mental emotional issues are faith based.
Yep. I was raised in that scene. Left it only about 10-12 years ago when I finally broke free. The church I grew up in was forever demonizing the different, laying claims that folks like us just weren't "right" with God, dragging us to the front to "declare" supernatural "healing" was ours if only we would seek it. I was sadly convinced of what they were handing me because it was all I ever knew. I cannot tell you how long it has taken me to wrestle this foul thinking off of me. Still scrubbing off some of that muck. With all this, I am still very much a Christian, however. In fact, stronger for it. I don't fault God in all this, just foolish, misguided people. I know He created me just as I am with a purpose.
i reckon especially with the more fundamentalist christian churches it.goes beyond misunderstanding. being different and not working according to the rules of the respective social group (i.e. the congregation) is a threat to the dynamic and power structure of a group. and the more rigid and conformity-driven the group is, the more it will go out against anything that threatens its cohesion. i don't know how aware pastors are of this.. i want to give them the benefit of the doubt but i also don't quite trust them, plus for many this may be a case of believing one's own narrative after inventing it. either way it is very harmful.
Some beliefs are incorrect and, therefore, can not be allowed to be unchallenged and changed. There is no need for ignorance and horrendous behaviour and, well, ungodly behaviour
I'm a Christian. I'm autistic. I pray every day an the Holy spirit lives within me (as he does in every born again Christian) God made me and he did no mistakes when he made me. Before I was born, he knew who I was I get disappointed when people call autism demonic
![[TH] 2024 PMGC League | Survival Stage วันที่ 1 | PUBG MOBILE Global Championship](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FVFT-PFwU80/mqdefault.jpg)
I am an autistic christian and have battled this in the church.
It's pure ignorance and complete lack of understanding as to what autism is.
Trying to address it in my circles .
You can't cast out a spirit that ain't there!
damn, the problem i see is that some % of religious people are just normall like here (damn, even christian furries), and other part are freaks that abuse religion because they are lustfull for power and stuff.
Why would you keep following such a religion you might as well join the NSDAP and become a Nazi.
But they can use normalized abnormal psychology and spirituality to try to make you take drugs to dumb you down and disassociate from your true divine nature, keeping you playing small, not recognizing the aspects of god they are missing within themselves. Blame shifting and excuses why you are born less than perfect as they have been. Just like Adam pointing at Lillith saying sge had to submit her refusing and leaving. Then pointing at Eve as the one that corrupted him. Weak minded, passive aggressive, winey fool that he was.... Be strong my love. ❤ its the true light in you that irritates their false light and demons.
They don't realize that Babylonian physicians were the height of science... 2000 years ago. Not everything in the Bible is gospel. Especially in medicine.
We need more hecklers at sermons.
"My god doesn't make mistakes."
*_"Cancer?!"_*
Yes, more hecklers! 👏
I volunteer as tribute.
Yeah, but just be prepared to be chased out of church by either the church's security or the congregation.
Hitler I think that was a mistake but pastors would be the first mistake really. That god made.
You know it strikes me that the people who like to accuse others of being demonic/possessed, are also the ones who act the most like a demon. I've never seen a more hateful group of people.
People accuse others of that which they are. Almost always true. Look at Congress lol
Never? Read a book on 20th-century history.
Oh, and as a wheelchair user... yeah. Like, 80% of what "disables" me is structural stuff that could be easily fixed or mitigated by the addition of a ramp or lift. The rest is just that my brain's all fucky, which affects how I move my body and does prevent me from doing some things, but daily life it's all stuff that should have just been automatic under the ADA.
I grew up in the Southern Baptist church. I wasn’t diagnosed autistic until my 40s, but people back then knew I was different. Meltdowns? Nightmares? Probably demons. Special interest in fantasy fiction? Dabbling in witchcraft. I’m actually glad I was late diagnosed because I *know* I would’ve experienced this nonsense. The fact that this still goes on breaks my heart & is one reason why I’d never consider being religious again.
I’ve had similar experiences, too. Also Baptists! 😮
I don't understand why they automatically think demons are making someone behave in a way they don't like because they want to control and abuse. It's like they think they know everything and is superior to people who is not how they expect them to be because that makes it difficult for them to continue with their harmful rules. Autism is something to be proud of though it's very hard to be authentic because of bullies. This makes me so upset and I can't really express myself but I hope you understand what I mean.
@@isabellammusic I think it stems from fear- fear of things they can’t understand and fear of things they can’t control- mixed with willful ignorance.
@@isabellammusicwell said! 👏
I completely agree!
The more I hear about Baptists, the more thankful I am for my liberal Catholic upbringing. I still love the routine of Mass, even if I'm not... you know... a practicing Catholic. (Went pagan, never went back.)
I can't help noticing the parallels with the 'pray away the gay' approach taken by the same kind of people, casting it as a demonic affliction that can be cured by some ritual, but essentially shaming the individual into masking their true identity to gain acceptance in their community and family.
Sometimes some of these individuals are the same preachers. (E.g. Ted Haggard).
@@Autistic_AF Ivar Lovaas created both the anti-gay AND anti-Autism conversion therapies.
praying the autism away : ❌
autisming the pray away : ✔️
( was inspired by a gaying the pray away meme I saw ! )
Wasn’t the inventor of aba therapy and gay conversion therapy the same guy?
@@jo45yep, lovaas was behind both aba and conversion therapy and used similar methods for both
Thank You, this is very validating. I have autism and a neurological condition that results in convulsions. I have had demons "cast out" as a teen and because I struggled with social situations was told I was evil. It is hard to break from family, but the situation is toxic, and believe that Christ would want me to practice self love.
@@Salt_of_the_Red_Earth_31 Christ wants you well; we cannot do His work if we are always ill and exhausted from interacting with hurtful people! Please, take care of yourself! ❤️
Please remember that you are *NOT* broken nor defective and that Jesus loves you!
You know, this hits hard specially now that I was diagnosed as autistic literally last week
And I found out recently that I am appearently heavily judged in the church I have been attending with my family since I was 6
My mom confessed to me that lots of people have approached her in the past and at the beginning of this year, gossiping about me and suggesting that I could be "possessed" for *insert all my autistic traits*
And lots of people have a negativity view on me, even the pastor and his wife think I am some sort of rebel or black sheep who hates God or something.
And ngl, it sucks, and it hurts. Specially bcs this would be the second time something like this happens, and it was literally in the same place
For context: That same church used to have a school that I attended when I was 6 all the way to 11, when I left said school for highschool, I found out thanks to my cousin and a few classmates from said school that I was appearently hated in that place and that ever since I had left people would constantly talk shit about me.
So yeah, I don't even know what to think anymore or feel. Ever since I found out about this I haven't been able to see that place with the same eyes, it just reminded that even in church surrounded by peopke who are supposed to 'love thy neighbor' I am completely alone
Congratulations on the autism! 🎂
I am sorry you've had this experience; of people judging you. It's a common thing, I've found, in religious communities. Ironic enough that Jesus apparently stated, 'Judge not lest you be judged yourself'. Spend time in your interests and passions and find community with others who enjoy the same things. -Mike 🧡
I apologize on behalf of all Christians. I would not want to be those guys when they get to stand before God. Also, I, too got judged by some people at churches for my autistic traits. This is not very Christlike, but they can all bite me. Or maybe they should just kick rocks.
@@honglian4530 It sounds like your mom isn’t okay with the stuff being said about you, so maybe there’s that? I feel your feels, fellow autist; when asked what made me think I might be autistic, the answer I had ready was “I struggled to complete programs of education in spite of doing very well in the classroom because I had trouble in the work-like environments towards the ends. I’ve been fired from actual jobs several times, including twice from my current one (don’t ask, whole other story). I’ve lost most of my friends to ghosting or outright rejection over the years. I’ve struggled to understand what was going on and have successful partnerships in romance.”. Fortunately, my church has shown no desire to kick me out! 🫤
The congregation must be spectacularly stupid and uneducated to believe that nonsense
Welcome, neurokin!
Also, I'm so sorry people are awful and judgemental.
"My God doesn't make junk." Well, he made you.
No, He doesn’t. Maybe autistic people aren’t junk, then? 🤔
@@Fade2GrayOG 😂
Spot on!
@@Fade2GrayOG 🤔 "Then stop implying I'm junk" 😁
DAYUM ! XD
I am so glad that you tackled this issue. And it is a major ISSUE. As a Christian (Catholic specifically) it sickens me to see these "preachers" demonizing autism and claiming it can be cured or prayed away. My experience as an autistic in the Catholic Church has been great, but seeing these people spread lies and misinformation is deeply saddening.
4:03. This woman obviously forced this kid to mask. I wish he was just trolling her. I wish people would stop bullying these kids and let them be. They aren’t harming anyone
@@JDMimeTHEFIRST My interpretation too. I totally agree; leave him alone to whatever TH-cam videos he used to enjoy.
They (nt's) believe we're harming their fragile egos and sensibilities. Lol
I agree, he does seem to be trying really hard to please his mother. It saddens me that he feels he wasn't good enough for his family.
This is terrifying and so terribly sad not to mention dangerous! So scared for that little boy who reminds me so much of my autistic grandson. 😢
Ah yes the trauma of hearing "God can cure you if you pray with enough faith". As a person with some other disabilities I've heard this throughout my entire life and it really messes your mental health when you pray to God for a cure and it never comes.
Also unrelated but Mike I absolutely love your sweater! Kinda wanna know where you got it haha
This is why I don’t pray for cures or healing, but for strength and comfort. May you have much of both, from whatever source you prefer to ascribe them to! ❤️
Ahhh the sweater haha. It’s a couple of years old now and came from a summer sale of a high street fashion chain. Nobody wants cosy sweaters in the summer they may have thought… 😅😊
That little boy who was "cured of autism" around the 4 minute mark sure showed a lot of black and white thinking in his story of good vs bad, and rigid thinking as if he was now just good as a binary choice.😅 Poor kid 🙏
Still definitely autistic, just decided to be a "good boy." 😥
He still just seems like he's masking. He still speaks very monotone and he sounds like he's speaking off the memorised script of what's socially acceptable. This is why I think we can be so vulnerable to manipulation, it's our first instinct to fall in with the crowd and copy what gets us social validation. It's a survival tactic. But when you fall in with a crowd like this you have to memorise the scripts for how to act when exorcised and you probably believe it worked too, because that's what everyone around you told you was true, and going against it is going to have drastic social consequences.
@@k4nd1incyb3rsp4c3 Absolutely right. 🙏
And neurotypicals think that * I * am weird…. , lmao Yet, THIS is supposed to be normal?!
Sadly, normal is just a game of averages, and as such it is totally possible for something to be completely absurd yet completely normal.
Remember the nts voted in the aspie Hitler guy. They to ought could use him and thrown him away. Really the nts never were okay and I don’t h to my ever will be okay.
@@johnrickard8512Men smoking was completely normal in the 50’s. One of my grandfathers died of lung cancer at 38. The other had his first heart attack at 39 and died of his fourth at 54. 😑
Oh boy. As an autistic Christian, I know this one’s gonna be tough to get through. May God have mercy on these people.
There are kitten breaks. I hope it helps!
@@Autistic_AF Also need capybara and mama hen/duck/goose/swan with chicks/ducklings/goslings/cygnets breaks! 😮💨
@@misspat7555I’ll see what I can do! 🪿 🐓 🐥
These type of people make me simultaneously sad and angry. Good on you for being able to calmly look at the situation!
That kid looked like he was being forced to say that stuff against his will. Poor kid.
I feel so bad for him. I want to jump into the screen and tell him he was never possessed, he’s just autistic like me. There are good parts and bad parts to autism. I feel so sorry for him if he has a meltdown again he’s going to think demons are back and that he’s a “bad” kid. 😢I don’t hate his parents, they are miseducated and tired.
Lack of understanding of diversity is a problem in many churches. I think that God has used my autism to protect and lead me. My autistic logic and pattern recognition has helped to grow my sense of discernment. Unlike some, I do not take everything as truth, no matter the source. I’m also resistant to peer pressure and don’t look to others to figure out the “right” decisions. When I’m at church, my goal is to worship God and not to make it just another social event. I don’t excessively seek money, power, or control. As long as my sensory needs are met and I feel regulated, I’m content. All of these traits seem related to my autism, and they all seem like good traits to me!
I also think God uses autism to help me in a variety of ways. Christianity is my special interest. I don’t see my religion as separate from real life or logic. Not fitting in with others made me resistant to peer pressure and I can share the gospel easily with friends and strangers. Even the downsides of autism mean I am forced to rely on God more and be humble… not thinking I’m better than anyone. I can empathize with others more than a lot of people can because I’ve experienced a lot.
This kind of dogma made me leave my religion entirely. I was raised Pentecostal and my parents purposely neglected me; refusing to let me try much-needed medications for my ADHD, antagonizing me constantly and attempting to trap me in said situation. And to rub salt in the wound, they essentially told me to “pray it away”, which lead me to committing drastic acts to “cure” myself of my disabilities. My grandmother denied my diagnosis and told me that autistic people were “demons/monsters sent by Satan to sway people away from God”. So here I was; isolated, abused and neglected, constantly crying out to an all powerful God to save me from my situation. Too bad that little girl got no such requested relief and was left to rot. To have an all-knowing God place you in such a situation with no way to escape his followers, God is going to have to ask me for forgiveness if he exists. Like I was to God, God doesn’t exist to me.
@@IJustAnimateThatsTheJist Hugs. Sorry that happened.
@@IJustAnimateThatsTheJist I’m sorry. I’m very sorry you lived through this.
No demonic, May be god created autistic and ADHD people to point out that which no one wants to look at. This lyric of Stary Stary Night makes me think.
"Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen
They did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now."
@@IJustAnimateThatsTheJist I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. I can’t even imagine. I too grew up in a Christian environment and even though I didn’t experience demonization of my autism I still struggled with fitting in. I prayed to be saved many times as I always felt like there was something wrong with me and I had a severe fear of Hell. I also deal with OCD so wanting to be absolutely certain of my salvation made my fear debilitating at times. I was never given a sign that a god was even there let alone if I was truly saved. Let’s just say after years of doing my own research on Christianity and watching debate videos I eventually realized none of it was real. I’ve been an atheist for over 13 years now. I don’t deal with fear so much any more though I do have a lot of resentment towards religion for all the harm it’s caused me as well as others. It’s so freeing to realize that none of this demonic possession, god’s wrath or hell exists. The world is scary enough without some invisible boogeymen making it worse.
As a raised atheist-turned-Methodist-turned-Catholic, you have a right to shield yourself from things that hurt you, first and foremost. Unfortunately, people seem to think that praying long enough, or hard enough, or in the right way, is the trick to having one’s prayers answered; these people also tend to have never tried that approach when confronted with an impossible life situation… 😬
It’s not only pastors who have stated these things… but I’ve had members of various churches who’ve had their strange opinions about autism, adhd and ocd said to me. If you change your diet… etc etc etc One pastor told me you don’t act like the autistic people in the care home where I use to preach, so are you really autistic? Sigh…
I am not possessed, i am an actual AuDemonHD and I find the possession insinuation insulting
Lol. Love it
Autism demon in hd? Lol
My kindy teacher told my mum i was possessed. I can't believe this is still a thing!
I’ve heard this my whole life. As a Christian, thank God I’ve had my own personal faith experiences or I’d never be a Christian. Such a sick culture. There’s always a demon somewhere.
These pastors are not representative, but sadly they do have large sized congregations and followers :/
Same, as an autistic Christian I found this so disturbing.
Same.
I just want to say that there are a lot of Christians who are accepting, thank Good. My church, for one, is very good with neurodiversity. There are six of us that I know of and a couple of folks that I suspect.
Happy for you. Its rare. @@thetickedoffpianoplayer4193
This happened to me here in the UK. Back in the early 1990's, I had a born-again Hellfire-and-brimstone fundamentalist teacher who thought my robotic movements, monotone speech with zero filter, ADHD resting-deathglare-face, and meltdowns were signs that I was *literally* a demon. This lead to her standing me up in front of half the school and stating that other pupils would have her full permission to "bully the demon out" of me. This was a run-of-the-mill C of E Primary School, not even some fringe one, and all other adults that heard or heard of it let it stick. All that hostility, plus a few gaslightey prayers directed at me eventually ended up in a meltdown that would probably have convinced some atheists that she was right, requiring a minor evacuation, and me going to a boarding school designed to oppress that pesky autism out of the pupil at any cost, and despite a secular outward appearance, that was a fundamentalist school...! I don't want to unpack what happened there, but it was less about education, more about "reeducation."
Things like this make me so embarrassed and ashamed to live in the United States. The religions here are so extreme, and their dogma so damaging! Thank you for raising awareness of this issue, as heartbreaking as it is.
@@MrAtheistQueen Thank you ☺️.
Try not to be overly dramatic. He has provided a few isolated, anecdotal examples here. Most religious people don’t feel this way about us. I can think of two other Autistic TH-camrs who abuse Reddit posts to create instant victimization, to generate clicks, and both of them have British accents. (That said: I’m not religious, and totally feel like a victim of society)
@@j.b.4340 I come from a large family, and was raised Mormon. Believe me, I know religious extremism. I've been around it my entire life, and had to cut ties with some of my family members because of their abuse. I've lived in several different states, and have never been able to get away from it. Thanks to Trump and other extremists, Christian Nationalism has taken hold of this country. I'm legitimately concerned for our future.
@@j.b.4340 I agree that most religious people don’t act this way. But many of the leaders do, and this is a problem.
I am Christian and I have autism. I followed God my whole life but ended up having a breakdown. So hearing these comments from church leaders is beyond frustrating. I wasn't diagnosed until I have adults I think it was a combination of lack of understanding as it was 90's and our understanding has moved on. I don't understand why Church gets its so wrong. I went to an autism training course provided by the methodist church and I found discussion where I found the focus was supporting caretakers to manage their autistic loved ones... I brought up the double empathy problem that its not fair to just blame autistic people as neurotypical are unable to relate to me. I found the person leading was very dismissive and just said it was a theory. Sometimes I feel like people want a pat on the back for tolerating autistic people. Its ok if people, feel alienated and lonely just as long as no ones saying what they thinking out loud right? The best advice is find my people.
This feels like something from the Middle Ages! I had no idea there were people like this! Great video
This is pretty much routine in most evangelical churches, world wide - the sort of churches that think they have a right to tell you how to vote and give enormous amounts of money to political parties while claiming charity status for tax purposes.
Most of these evangelical churches not only think this way of autistics but Ive heard them refer to people suffering from depression anxiety or panic disorder and demonic possession. As someone who is highly sensitive and has sensory issues plus i battle with depression anxiety and panic disorder all of my life I have come to terms with me needing meds to keep me from spiraling. Unfortunately this is way too common thinking and its unfortunate. Ive also been told that the reason im not cured of my type 1 diabetes and chronic pain is because I dont have enough faith in Hods healing and to pray more. Ive learned to ignore these ignorant thoughts and beliefs instead of fighting them
People being hateful to something they don't understand, now where have I heard that before
My parents love Greg Locke and disowned me many years ago, claiming I’m demonically possessed, and stole my son, who’s also autistic from me then disappeared.
I don’t know how I wake up every morning… I don’t even want to, the pain never goes away.
Perhaps you live to be available to your son if he needs you one day. It’s quite likely your story together isn’t over. Take care, mama. ❤️🩹
I am Catholic, and I can tell you that plenty of saints showed clear autistic traits. Not shocking, perhaps, that people cool with never marrying and going off to cloister themselves or serve the needy for life while doing ritualistic, repetitive prayers multiple times a day every day might be more likely to be autistic… oh, and we don’t have a formal procedure for testing “miracles” NOW. We’ve HAD a formal procedure for this for centuries, at least, maybe over a millennium. Bishops do NOT love this part of the job; getting called to a crying statue or something and trying to determine if, as is usually the case, it is a hoax. Not all cases are determined to be hoaxes, though, but even if no tomfoolery is found, we are not required to believe in modern miracles, only those found in the Bible, which may have happened, I wasn’t there. 🤷♀️
If I were living in earlier times I would 100% enter the ministry - get nerdy over baking bread and brewing alcohol and writing! ✍️ 🧡
I’m a Protestant, but I remember learning about St. Thomas Aquinas and I could instantly recognize a lot of signs of autism.
So heartbreaking…
That poor boy towards the beginning. He’s clearly still autistic, probably just masking harder… 💔
Some people believe absurdities because they already want to commit atrocities.
@@Zorkroz Yes! We don’t need to blame demons. There are people in the church (and everywhere) who do enough bad stuff.
That's disgusting and ridiculous. I am autistic (not diagnosed yet), physically disabled and I have sight issues. The doctors said I would never be able to speak, read or anything else. Now, I'm an aspiring writer with a music degree and more knowledge than most of my family. All of this only took perseverance and original ways, like teaching the alphabet first. I was 3 and only making sounds. Since that moment, I talked perfectly and I could already read when other children were taught how to.
Edit: my parents both were Christians but they helped me, made huge efforts to adapt themselves to me.
This is heartbreaking and very traumatic for those that have suffered through this. The damage extensive. Thank you for addressing this Mike it needed to be done. A man who stands as a man of God and twist the ei🎉d of god is holding hands with the demonic influences he believes in… knowingly with full cooperation. No excuse to lead others into false belief and hurting so many. 💔
Strange how autism is demonized in these cases yet symptoms of schizophrenia are seen as divine. These views are so harmful and extremely outdated. Thank you for covering this topic! 💜
“But God told me so!!”
Schizophrenia is seen as demonic too in some cases. And in others, people say autistic kids are little angels.
Oh boy… watching that boy “be healed” was so devastating. I’ll have to come back and watch the rest of this video later. Thank you for covering such an important topic ❤
I'm convinced that these people simply don't want to be bothered with something new or different. Autism can be very demanding, even for the person who has it.
As a Christian, and a recently diagnosed autistic adult, with a special interest in Christian theology that has lasted my whole life, these “pastors” have always saddened me. So here’s my opinion on a way autistic people have and still could be awesome for Christian communities, diagnosis or no:
Monks: what sounds more autistic than cloistering yourself in a community where you know EXACTLY how you’re supposed to behave and the social norms, cause most of them are written down and spelled out point by point (even to how you’re supposed to hold your hands in church, which hands for me are a thing that I have no idea what to do ever so having specific positions that can end up being stims to calm me down really helps), and having a special interest in prayer/mysticism or creating manuscripts, lack of eye contact is often seen as a sign of humility and isn’t nearly as stigmatized in most cases. There’s a constant routine and if there’s any drastic changes, it’s probably something you should be focusing on to the exclusion of everything else anyways. You always know what’s coming day to day.
People like this have been responsible for scientific advancements, scholasticism, preserving knowledge from the ancients, translating texts, hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, healing people who actually need healing, giving advice on how to navigate the challenges of life, how to be a better person, and I’d venture to guess there are many undiagnosed autistics who are monks now and many others in the past from before we know what autism was, they just ended up gravitating to an environment that suited them the best.
TL/DR: My theory is a lot of monks were/are autistic people with a special interest in God that spilled into other aspects of life creating side-special interests that they also devoted all their lives to that and were ultimately a net positive for society.
Oh, definitely. Organized religion has always been kind of paradoxical in its treatment of neurodivergence, mental "illness" (lots of conditions that are heavily pathologized today weren't automatically regarded as aberrant in the past), and general difference. There's the "it's all demonic" angle, of course, but you also have cloistered monks and nuns, hermits, shamans, mystics, the semi-privileged position of court fool...
People who heard voices or saw visions or suddenly exhibited entirely different personalities were often thought to have a direct connection to the divine, not the demonic.
While general conditions are definitely better now, I do think we've abandoned some ways of thinking about neurodiversity that would better have stuck around.
Same reason for why I like witchcraft Satanism and the occult. Acceptance and ritual.
My mother and I have very good long-term memories, as is common in the autistic community. My mother recalls hearing adults recounting the family history of a disabled girl being killed/murdered in an exorcism. Given when she heard it, it likely happened during world war 2 or between the wars, so don’t freak out about reporting it like a past therapist did. I do want to post this to provide evidence that such practices can not only harm people, but also murder them.
At the very least, it can prevent seeking treatment, for example, for type 1 diabetes, which of course will be fatal. God sent us brilliant scientists and doctors who puzzled out the secrets of the human body and developed ways to give most healthy babies long, full lives; why are we not accepting the rowboats and helicopters He has sent?!? 🤨
@@leilap2495 This is so tragic :(
people being unalived in exorcisms can happen !?
@@a_little_demon+
Yeah, there’s several stories of exorcisms on TH-cam where the person is clearly disabled/neurodivergent and would be starved to death. It’s really messed up; especially the older stories where nobody would bat an eye over the loss of life.
@@IJustAnimateThatsTheJist that's horrifying !
I saw this pop up an hour after it was posted and unlike 99% of all the other times I see your content pop up, I did not rush to watch it. I had to wait a while until I felt ready, knowing it could bring up some traumatic memories of undiagnosed neurodivergence. I'm glad I waited AND I'm glad I finally watched, too!
I was also in an Evangelical Christian environment growing up & in my late teens, etc. & boy, could I go on some tangents about mental illness seen as demonic influences and patriarchy threatened by teen girl observational powers... I digress... So much for me to process about this part of my life, but I am glad you are opening this space for discussion and documenting that this insanity is still going on ( I left at the tail end of the 80's Satanic Panic era in the 90's, shortly after Mike Warnke was outed as lying about his satanic past... again with my digressive nature....) and its helpful to look back now that I know ASC runs in my family.
I have been hiding my echolalia and vocal stimming from everyone for decades but it always made me scared to admit it happened partly because of the religious whackery I was raised in. I really couldn't account for how out of control it could be at times and seemingly within my purview at other times.( I cannot focus today, really. ) The other Dxs (Bi-polar, Anxiety, PTSD, dissociation, a womb that hangs out in my armpit on melancholy Sunday afternoons, etc, etc) didn't help to explain those traits and therapy never put a dent in managing it (more often making it worse, of course).
I just wanted to point out that perhaps this is another reason why I love watching you and your channel so much, -it was my empathy and desire to be a good person that kept me devoted to religion, it was the same that brought me out of it, too. I suspect there's an aspect of that or two that I see in you and find recognizable. That you are a fellow "survivor" of evangelical Christianity is another point of familiarity to share. I'm very glad you are taking this venture into advocacy for all of us nuanced & complicated late/un/mis -diaganosed atistic AF people out here. Thanks always!!!!
Thank you for being here 🧡
Some of the most respectful, decent and nice people are covered in tattoos, dyed hair, with really alternative outfits and accessories, while some of the most judgemental and ignorant people are old-fashioned, conservative and go to church every week.
I'm an autistic believer, and this hurts my soul.
I’m sorry 😞
My doctor (pcp), started making me (putting them in my hand), take these little Christian prayer pieces of paper, AFTER I was diagnosed with autism. She didn’t diagnose me because she was too busy misdiagnosing me with the usual things an autistic woman gets accused of having because there is such a dearth of knowledge in the medical field about exactly what autism is. Contrary to what some religious people believe, I am not possessed by a demon. 😂
She is no longer my doctor and I will be filing a couple of formal complaints against her for all of what she put me through. I still can’t figure out why doctors have been my worst bullies. I’m in a much better place mentally now that I dont see her.
I wrote the above comment before I watched the video, but I promise I will watch it. 😅
Thank you for the kitten breaks🙏🏼
🐱
your pfp is beautiful ! reminds me of Beauty And The Beast !
@@rosebud-.- I have three black cats I rescued. They keep me sane. They’re better friends to me than some people. God love the kitties!!!
@@a_little_demon Thank you!
@@MB-pf7gv That’s excellent! 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
I have a black cat and a Himalayan 😃
the idea of a demon just saying "okay I leave" while being exorcised too funny to me
Excellent video Mike! Thank you for highlighting this, nevermind how scientifically baseless their whole premise is, religious trauma is real and the world is troublesome enough to navigate for neurodivergent people without adding religious shame, scapegoating and fear of demons to their experience. You do important work and the time and care you put in is greatly appreciated.
Those poor children! So incredibly sad 😭
God made me autistic. I am perfectly made for my spiritual development during this incarnation on earth. Apparently it’s advantageous to this development in some way, to experience life while looking through a different lens than most other people. I’m thankful to God for how I am. Perhaps I am put here, also, so people can learn to be tolerant and non-judgemental, and to be less selfish and unkind.
That’s right…Hi. I’m your Test. God sent me.
Lol 😆
Agreed. You sound like an amazing person. You be you. I'm struggling with this a lot too. I believe in God, but I was bullied too much at church to want to go back. One of those was a church elder. But I don’t blame God for human folly.
@@nykolhaebrd Unfortunately, participating in group religious practice does not necessarily equate to being a decent human being. 🫤
@@misspat7555Exactly. I don’t go to church. Not exactly a “joiner”. Lol 😆
DAMN RIGHT ! you are beautiful just the way you are ! God loves you for who you are !
Thank you for sharing. I was upset with God when I suddenly realized as an adult that most of the suffering I had endured on earth came directly as a result of being autistic. I was questioning why my life had to be this way. When I was praying about it, I felt God comfort me and assure me that He was teaching me two things: to not be afraid and to depend wholly on God because I really can't do it on my own. God has a purpose for the way we are and things we go through in life.
My family's first dog was called Tosca, too. My parents got her before I (the eldest child) was born and she was amazing. She was a Collie-German Sheperd mix and loocked so much like a wolf, even vets usulally did a double take when the saw her.
Awh, what a beautiful mixed breed! 🧡
Awww
This takes me back to my childhood. This is heartbreaking and how I started my journey to atheism.
This is so sick and something you would expect from 1800s not 2024.
People like this don't exactly represent a majority, but it is frustratingly common to encounter them over here in the states. They are typically the sort of people who assert that the Bible - and their interpretation thereof - is one of, if not the only source of valid wisdom and guidance. God is superior to all, including any medical professional. Whenever a clash or contradiction occurs, they go to scripture every time, as to contradict God or otherwise dispute the Bible (again, as they interpret it) is blasphemous. Thus, they've backed themselves into a bit of a rhetorical corner. In limiting themselves to such a framework, it is almost inevitable that demons or Satan become their explanation for any atypical psychological or neurological states, among other things that they are unable or unwilling to understand.
I love your videos and I really appreciate you sharing this. I can't watch the rest because of how close to home this hits from my lived experience. But I'm so glad you're getting that out there. Thank you
I understand, thank you. ☺️
Not only am I autistic but I'm left handed! OooOOOooo!!
Ok, so…I was born and raised in a Free Will baptist Christian family, and I was diagnosed with autism at 4 years old. My parents did notice something was different about me, and so…they pushed to get me a diagnosis. Once we got it, my mom did as much proper research as she could, in order to understand my diagnosis. Autism. Is. Not. Of. The. Devil. Autism is a neurological, developmental, disorder! Not a disease, not demon possession, just a different way of neurological development. God made me this way, Why? I don’t know. But I do know this…without autism, i wouldn’t be me. These pastors need to be educated, because this is just unacceptable. I’m thankful my pastor at my church isn’t like this, he’s kind and understanding, and he respects people who are different. More pastors need to just be understanding, it’s not that hard to do.
I was born 1984. Didn't get diagnosed till 2021. Yeah, soon as my box was ticked I started feeling the brunt force of all of this.
The story about the three year old reminds me so much of my dad. I grew up with hearing aids and he attributes me not using them anymore to a miracle.
I was nearly deaf at like 6 or 7, one of my earliest memories is of one of the women in my house running after me while I was going to play and grabbing me to turn my brand new hearing aids on; I’d had no idea she was yelling for me. But I was never actually deaf and my hearing was never really at stake; it got better just like my doctor thought it would, gradually, but my dad acts as if me finally retiring my hearing aids in middle school was the first time I heard clearly without them. I don’t know if my doctor didn’t keep him up to date with every time she lowered my volume or if he’s really just that brainwashed but it makes me angry every time he calls it a miracle as if the doctor didn’t do anything for me.
Thanks for doing this video.
This needs to be said and corrected.
Thank you, Malcolm.
Let's wait until they find out that autism could run in the family, even a few generations back 😉
Poetic!
@@plutoniumlollie9574 But nobody else in the family is “like that”! 🙃
(This was actually what my MIL said when I tried to gently suggest that having 3 of 7 adult kids unable to function without parental or parent-like supervision might indicate something… especially since daughter of one of those kids has now been diagnosed autistic… pretty sure she’s convinced it only came from MY side! Her son, daughter’s father, died of cancer several months before the formal diagnosis, so no way of knowing what he would have thought… poor man… 😔)
@@misspat7555 Same with my mother. She was quick with finger pointing. I can't tell, from which side it might be from, as my father passed away when I was quite young.
It's annoying, because it's not like autism is something one should be ashamed of. This kind of attitude is just keeping those, who need help from getting it, which is indeed shameful.
i experienced years of pain and trauma as an autistic child at the hands of religious family members and their leaders. thank you for covering this topic with care and sensitivity.
Don't give up your faith or relationship with God cause of these ignorant people. God still accepts you!
@@malcolmkinnon8436 God loves us all! He’s pretty disappointed in Elon Musk, though. That experiment could have definitely gone better… 😏
Their children are still autistic and shall be autistic for the rest of their lives. Learn to accept and love them as they are. Help them to become their best autistic selves
Oh wow, people still have beliefs like this in this day and age? it's archaic! Autism is not the problem, it's the attitudes and beliefs of people that is the problem. I know some people will believe anything they are told but wow, I was not aware it was quite this bad! I feel bad for the families that have Autistic family members that choose to follow in these types of beliefs.
It's so lovely to see all the kittens settled in their forever homes now. They are such cool little big cats already! 😸😸❤️
Thank you Mike for an eye opening video, and for the cutest little kitties on the planet! 😊
Thank you so much for your videos! I relate so wildly to this; I was raised in an evangelical household and my neurodevelopment / social struggles were always covered with religious rhetoric instead of allowing me to go through any diagnostic process. I’m 29 now and having to deconstruct the damage, but have finally been diagnosed with ASD and am learning to enjoy life for the first time.
Just wondering… would you be interested in making a video about your experience in Christian culture and how it affected you as an autistic person? I would be so interested to hear more about it!
Many thanks! 🙏🏻
"Why is my kid have autism?"
We're really dealing with some bright folks here.
@@colbyboucher6391 Hey, they could be autistic, too… most adults who are autistic probably aren’t aware of it, and just know the shame and rejection for their natural, harmless (but “weird”, “annoying”) behaviors… 😕
@@misspat7555 yes! Black and white thinking, and a tendency towards confirmation bias!
My clearly autistic mother believes every vaccine related og extremist health related conspiracy. I am living proof, that vaccination does not cause autism… 🤷♀️
These videos are sad for me to see as an autistic christian 🙁 in my country, most christians are kind people and are ok with autism. my boyfriend has inattentive adhd and he is also a christian and the kindest person i know. Most christians i meet in real life are understanding. aside from me, there is a little autistic girl in a church i attended and her family and other people in the church seemed to really care about her and openly talked to me about her differences. but it makes me sad that this is how some people view religion.
i don't think these opinions about autism are actually biblical. i think there is a difference between christians who read the bible with an open mind to actually view what GOD intended, and christians who read the bible just to "prove" their own beliefs.
"i think there is a difference between christians who read the bible with an open mind to actually view what GOD intended, and christians who read the bible just to "prove" their own beliefs." Yo, that's a REALLY good way of looking at it, actually.
I’m an autistic American and Christian. This isn’t an “American thing.” The videos here are from a few extreme fringe pastors. Most churches are not like this.
@@gigahorse1475 oh ok i see thank you for clarifying. i was a bit confused
@@gigahorse1475 i have edited the comment to not include that, i see now it may have been kind of offensive but i did not realise previously
That boy Who makes a video saying that he went from a bad boy to a good boy after 5F church, Very clearly talks and acts As an autistic person. It's super sad and tragic that he is going to literally internalize that he's somehow bad And that's why he's still that way. 😥
I was raised religious but never once was it ever implied that autism is evil or bad or anything like that. I always thought that I had some major character flaw as an adult because of it Because I simply didn't know that I was autistic until in my 40s. And that's when I realized I am completely normal it's just not normal for society. I've had huge struggles with Not wanting to live and considering taking my own life over It was very regular for years.
And that's coming from someone who Never ever Never ever ever saw autism As a bad thing. In fact I was very taken aback and went into an autistic breakdown For days, because of constantly being punished without fail Specially by employers for having good intention, After relatives reacted to me as if I was telling them that my brother and therefore his children need to be evaluated And his wife thought I was saying that he had some sort of major mental illness and need to be on medication WTF?!!!
It's still awful because I really want to save my nieces and nephews from the emotional trauma and PTSD that I have I can't Do something that might trigger it because it can still be life threatening and very dangerous when that happen happens and I Do something that might trigger it because it can still be life threatening and very dangerous when that happens and I have a exhausted all resources and the community when that Do something that might trigger it because it can still be life threatening And I've exhausted all resources in the community and so now my only option is to avoid. But the same time It makes my heart hurt even more for them because it serves as such a huge reminder that I don't wanna see any of them go through this especially the daughters because they're the world is crazy It makes my heart hurt even more for them because it serves as such a huge reminder that I don't wanna see any of them go through this especially the daughters because the world is crazy mean to autistic women Both in work but also in relationships. I'm divorced and his Where due to all things related to him that and him making assumptions about my character. Now I just don't date because men are so mean and just reject me over and over but because I'm attractive they have no problem using my body But that's all they see me good for. I just don't date.
Also this is an FYI for anyone who is interested in knowing about demonic possession. Because that's definitely what they're claiming that boy had and not just Being Being influenced by evil. Have have a big interest in it and have done A lot of research and talk to people and go on 1st hand accounts I'm Sure what to make of it. I am really just. I am re. I am really just. I am really . I am a . I am really religious But it's still just super Bizarre to me. Anyway everyone agrees That true possession is very rare And it can only happen if that person invites them in. A young child is not able to do that. They can have evil spirits living and do to SA But that's very different than something else controlling you. A super young child Like a little baby or 2 year-old when autism is 1st noticed absolutely It's not Possessed. It is absolutely not possible And that comes from the catholic church Who is the primary Best resource On it.
And Thanks for the Kittens, very needed.
Woh Mike that was a hard watch. And you going through those video and research must of been even harder... And you do it to help the Auti community. Thank you, your sooooòo appreciated And respected.
Thank you - it’s a bit like wading through treacle sometimes! Appreciate your kind comments. 🧡
While I’m not diagnosed, my family have long believed that I’m autistic, and we’re beginning to believe I also have ADHD. I thank them for allowing me to explore religion myself, despite being raised Christian. Had this have happened to me, rather than them accepting me for who I am… Well, I dread to think the state I’d be in now.
Maybe it’s not religion and faith that’s the problem, but that the self-appointed human administrators are the problem
Thanks Mike, for another awesome video. You are really tackling the important issues and saying what needs to be said. Thanks for the much needed kitten breaks too ❤🐱
Forgot one guy in this video he has ministry called db ministries his name is David Bauer he’s a minister in California
@@dwaynefitzpatrick7463 Thank you for naming names. This pastor is a human being too. I’ll pray for him and his congregation.
Great video. Important topic. Kudos of not devolving into shouting and expletives and sarcasm. I probably would if I tried to cover this topic!
Thank you. I had to re-edit my video twice ;)
Wilson! Get down!....wiiiiiilllLLLLSSOOOOON!
Great video on an important topic. I've met many an autist who was put off religion BECAUSE of attitudes & misinformation of this nature.
I met one pastor once who said he was autistic and he was healed by god. As an autistic person I think god did a poor job at healing him like this guy claimed of his autism. Since I knew he still had autism. Know matter what the former foster parents told me that he was healed I knew autism is some you are born for life to have. So I am surprised they were so dipped by this guy.
Psalm 139:13-16 Please read; God knew what He was doing. You are not junk; you were made with purpose.
@@calebandrewcox826 Clearly, having some autistics floating around benefits the human race! 👍
I think this is common amongst autistic people. Right around 3, my parents took me into the doctor with concerns about my speech. I spoke but only a word or 2 at a time. They found no issues back then 🙄. Not long after, I just started speaking in full sentences one day. Now I have very few memories from that age but I feel strongly that it was a choice. I understood language and could use it quite well at times for a 3 year old, I simply didn't naturally verbalize. I used my voice because it was expected, and I picked up on that even at that young age. Even now, I tend to be a quiet person most of the time. Hearing that last story just resonated with the little me that still lives in my brain. 😂
This also shows how biased diagnosis has been the past, just one sign missed. Like my mother, who was brought in as an infant because she never smiled, but nope, she was totally normal 😂
Thanks for covering this topic Mike
Thank you for being here, Jonathan.
Thanks for this video, Mike!
Thank you for being here!
It is the saddest thing I see when they are “casting” out a “demon” out of an autistic child 😞
It’s sad that their faith isn’t strong enough to cope with the reality of autism.
damn that first guy
if i was there i wouldve ran away (i tend to run away when im stressed lol) because god that is not just a crappy hot take thats some ableist deranged shit
I’ve often felt I’m possessed, due to meltdowns. It’s nice to know it’s just autism.
I saw the title and instantly thought, "Americans." I live amongst them. I know. 😢
@@wisecoconut5 It’s co-incidentally quite American but these things are said elsewhere too.
@@Autistic_AF Yes, superstition is as universal as the desire to be powerful. One is often misused by the other.
A friend of mine who is most likely autistic (self-diagnosis) didn't speak until she was four. Her explanation: she just didn't feel the need to talk until she went to a pre-school and the adults there didn't understand her needs. So she started talking. No miracle there, just a kid who decided that talking would solve a problem.
Oh my cats, she is _adorable!_ Such a tiny kitten! So floofy! ~Squeeeeeeeeee!~
Back in the day they called us changelings. Now we're demonically possessed. ~frustrated sigh~ The more things change the more they stay the same.
I'm so sorry for this narrative, I'm a theologically reformed Christian and we would never hear this from the pulpit! So sorry. (Also, these guys think everything is a demon including women)
"The bible doesn't stigmatize autistic people. Why do they?"
Very poignant quote. These people don't preach Christianity. They preach conformity.
I'm not anti-religious, but stuff like this has always scared me away from the church. The way these people will so casually spread ignorant and potentially dangerous misinformation purely on the basis of belief. I will always value research and critical thinking over blind faith and fear mongering.
I am so triggered and I haven't even watched the video. I'll have to come back to it... Just felt it would be relevant to say that I was never explicitly told any of my traits were demonic, but the teachings I received did cause me to reach those conclusions on my own. I believed I was being attacked and potentially possessed by demons due to the symptoms of my undiagnosed autism and other conditions. One side of my family (including that parent) continues to believe mental health is not real to this day, insisting all mental emotional issues are faith based.
And this is why I despise organized religion
Yep. I was raised in that scene. Left it only about 10-12 years ago when I finally broke free. The church I grew up in was forever demonizing the different, laying claims that folks like us just weren't "right" with God, dragging us to the front to "declare" supernatural "healing" was ours if only we would seek it. I was sadly convinced of what they were handing me because it was all I ever knew. I cannot tell you how long it has taken me to wrestle this foul thinking off of me. Still scrubbing off some of that muck. With all this, I am still very much a Christian, however. In fact, stronger for it. I don't fault God in all this, just foolish, misguided people. I know He created me just as I am with a purpose.
i reckon especially with the more fundamentalist christian churches it.goes beyond misunderstanding. being different and not working according to the rules of the respective social group (i.e. the congregation) is a threat to the dynamic and power structure of a group. and the more rigid and conformity-driven the group is, the more it will go out against anything that threatens its cohesion. i don't know how aware pastors are of this.. i want to give them the benefit of the doubt but i also don't quite trust them, plus for many this may be a case of believing one's own narrative after inventing it. either way it is very harmful.
Fish can mean kidney disease which is the opposite of what they would want Id imagine
@@JeremiahONeal-vp2id It can also mean an unchanged nappy/diaper.
back at my parent's old church, they told my mom my brother was autistic because he sinned before he was born
Some beliefs are incorrect and, therefore, can not be allowed to be unchallenged and changed.
There is no need for ignorance and horrendous behaviour and, well, ungodly behaviour
I'm a Christian. I'm autistic. I pray every day an the Holy spirit lives within me (as he does in every born again Christian)
God made me and he did no mistakes when he made me. Before I was born, he knew who I was
I get disappointed when people call autism demonic
exactly ! you are beautiful the way you are !