I met a holy rolling Christian woman the other day, and I overheard some of her conversation with the other Christian lasy she was with. They were talking about a kid that was spazzing out in the store, and was obviously mentally handicapped. I overheard them saying that Autism is just a word that people use to cover up the real truth, that these kids are possessed by the devil.
Do Christians largely believe this? That Autistic kids are possessed by Satan?
2007-07-26 07:27:30 · 54 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nope. I don't believe that one bit. I am a Catholic. The church has a number of tests we use to determine that someone is NOT mentally ill before even suggesting that they are possessed.
Many of these documents (for determining) go back to ages long before anyone knew what mental illness really was. The church simply referred to it as a "natural imbalance of the mind" meaning that people were either a) born this way or b) had suffered somehow to MAKE them this way. Such as a high fever or a blow to the head.
You might enjoy the book American Exorcism. I sure did. It's written by a non-believer. While I myself AM a believer there was nothing rude or insulting about his book. It was very well done. Cuneo is the writer's name.
Edit: Maya, that's patently untrue. Clearly you know nothing about Catholicism.
2007-07-26 07:33:42 · answer #1 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No, for starters Satan would be too wore out to do anything else but bother the millions of autistic kids in the world, he's not Omni-anything like God is
but to address the real thrust of your question, the rub between mental and spiritual conditions is one that have perplexed many Christians through the ages and one that spans many belief structures even today
most still wouldn't put autism as Devil/Demon possession, however some may go as far as to say it is demonic influenced, meaning the parents (like all of us) are in spiritual battle, and the childe is now a casualty of war, while others may say it's some kind of test from God.
I’ve worked with Autistic children before; and it's not like other mental disorders, in some ways the child is perfectly fine, he or she simply is trapped inside there own mind, it's like there's a fully functioning person in there, but he doesn't get a lot of day light, but when he does stick his head out there, wow, really it's a wow moment, you really appreciate his or her love, they had a moment of clarity to do whatever they wanted, and they gave you a hug.
the reason I think that Satan gets blamed for things like this is it's simpler, it gives one a since of control, and eliminates the blame cycle, how were you supposed to know that the supper immune booster they give every kid would effect your's differently (the most common cause of autism) "I’m special, I’m in control, it was Satan"
I’m sorry this is so long, but it’s a complicated issue, and w/ my history, I wanted to give a complete answer
2007-07-26 07:55:16 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, Christians have opinions just like every body else. While this Christian women you're talking about may believe the autistic child is possessed by the devil, My family doesn't believe the same because my brother is autistic. but even if that wasn't the case there is other evidence to prove that a kid isn't possessed by the devil.
2007-07-26 07:34:27 · answer #3 · answered by Ashley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure there are many people out there who would call me a holy roller. I don't believe autistic kids are possessed by Satan. However I believe that some people are tormented by evil spirits. Some autistic people could be under the "opression" of an evil spirit and some could have a real medical condition. To lump all autistic people together is just ignorance.
2007-07-26 07:47:13 · answer #4 · answered by graceabounds 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian and I certainly don't believe that. Some of the Charismatic type denominations attribute anything like that they don't understand to Satan. Jesus did cast out demons from people in the Bible, but Autism is not demon possession. It's something that happens to some people, and we need to do all we can for them, because I believe autistic people are going to heaven when they die.
2007-07-26 07:44:30 · answer #5 · answered by The Count 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not as far as I know! I'm a Christian and I know mental disabilities are just that. Satan doesn't possess kids, or anyone, for no reason. That person would have to be heavily involved with spiritism to be possessed. An autistic child is an autistic child. Their condition has nothing to do with being possessed.
2007-07-26 07:32:05 · answer #6 · answered by Mabes 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
no. possession and mental disorders are 2 different things. Possessions tend to happen more in the East, for reasons unknown by me. My best guess is that the demonic powers' strategy with the educated west is more that of trying to convince the West that the supernatural is a myth. Why possess someone if it would ruin convincing them God doesn't exist? In the East, this viewpoint isn't as commonly accepted I don't think.
In reality, I really dont know. Anyway, mental illness is not possession.
2007-07-26 07:39:45 · answer #7 · answered by Josias B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
>>>Do Christians largely believe this? That Autistic kids are possessed by Satan? <<<
No, absolutely not.
Unfortunately, every group has people who believe some bizarre things. But those are their own beliefs, not those of the rest of the group.
.
2007-07-26 09:46:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isn't that sad? Some people will do anything, including judging others who have no choice in the lives they live, to feel good about their own FALSE faith.
Any "Christian" who has to be that judgemental is not a Christian at all - sounds like that woman is the one possessed by the Devil of Judgementalism.
2007-07-26 07:35:30 · answer #9 · answered by yarn whore 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The people that actually think this are clearly being misled. Autism is very real. Anyone that thinks some kid is possessed by the devil is a fundaMENTAList, and just plain "doesn't get it", and possibly never will. These are extremes of Christianity - the mainstream Christians aren't that crazy - they know better.
2007-07-26 07:33:52 · answer #10 · answered by Paul Hxyz 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋