Would God create a disease that makes people disbelieve?

Question

One of the seldom-discussed traits of Asperger's Syndome and High-Functioning Autism is a lack of spiritual belief. A large majority of functional autistics are atheists, agnostics, or otherwise non-religious, whereas 90% of the general population follow some type of religious belief.

Since these conditions are genetic and present at birth, does that mean that they are part of God's plan? Why would God create a condition that physically disables people from believing? Are such people damned from birth?

What do you think? Thanks in advance for thoughtful answers.

Johnny:
Probably so. On both counts.

Chippy:
I'll bet a lot of them believe in Santa Claus, too. I'm talking about adult autistics. Childhood beliefs are completely different, as I'm sure you already know.

Alfalfa:
Please don't jump to conclusions about what I do or don't believe. That's for me to decide, not you.

Alfalfa:
Perhaps you have me confused with someone else? I have never claimed to be a Christian or a fundamentalist. Neither have I ever claimed that I "don't believe in genetics". My Q&A is public, and you're welcome to check for yourself. I can be a bit of a smart alec, but I always try to maintain a respectful tone.

I certainly hope I haven't picked up a clone. Please contact me via my profile page if you can provide a link. I'd value the information.

Squirt:
I've read up quite a bit on the alleged autism/ vaccine link. Its gotten a lot of press, but it doesn't play out in the research.

I've been around. Good to see you.

Answer 1

I... I... I don't know...

Answer 2

I thought you did not believe in genetics.
So now you are wondering why God would do this or that thing. That is good. In spite of the fact you are trying to link a disbelief in God with what seems to be a genetic disorder.

I know that if I posted a question that linked Christian fundamentalism with extreme mental retardation you and your type would be instantly reporting it.
I will not report you though for this, but I suggest that you consider why that is.

A large number of the Asperger children, and Autistic children are born to people who are in the top 10% of the population in terms of intelligence. In fact it is a very, very string corelation.
The top 10% of people on the intelligence scales are also the least likely to believe in religions. I suspect if a child does not have religion taught to them they tend not to believe it either, and lets face it, you are not finding many of the Asperger/Autistic children sitting through church sermons or doing nativity plays.
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Actually not very many believe in Santa among the Autistics.
What they do though is say Santa is real very quickly if you point out that No Santa means No Gifts.

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I have seen enough of your questions and answers to know what you believe.
I have absolutely no need to jump to conclusions because you have stated your beliefs often, and usually as insultingly as possible.

Answer 3

I believe there is a link between childhood vaccinations and autism. No god involved here. For people to be born that way, or genetically in other words, that shows me that there is no god. I was a fundie most of my life. Waking up from broken back surgery, I no longer believed. What happened to me? I don't know. I'm still trying to understand that, but I do know that I have never been happier. Never lived without fear before surgery either. where have you been? good to see you, marble.

Answer 4

>>even though the other side of the spectrum has the >>prettier picture painted after death? Since when does the mere existence of deity automatically imply a "prettier picture painted after death"? If anything, religious zealots stress a belief of HORRIBLE things that happen after death, namely to people who don't conform to their dogma. >>I mean, neither way can be proven, That's a bogus argument from solipsism. We can't 100% disprove the existence of leprechauns either, but I still call "bullshit" on the claim of their existence. Like Russel's teapot, you can argue that we can't verify it one way or another, but come on...a teapot orbiting Jupiter? That sounds like something that people made up. The same goes for "God". We also know that humans have wild imaginations, and try to project personifications onto otherwise mundane events. "God" is one of these pointless personifications that people project. >>I also said neither can he not being real be proven. And again, that's a bogus argument on your part. I already addressed that point above. Regardless, you're still ignorantly assuming that anybody here who is an atheist is also a gnostic atheist, meaning they hold an assertive disbelief in deity. Most of the atheists here simply don't hold a belief in deity, and end it there. That's all that atheism means: not HAVING a belief in deity. >>and by more depressing, I mean the ending, not the actual life If doing things because it "feels good" is a reason enough for doing them, then why don't you do crystal meth? >>be mature and quit flaming on retarded points. Then stop posting retarded claims. >>yahoo answers has the most radical atheists, i swear.... How many religion-related forums on the internet have you ever participated in? >>stop taking it this way people. Stop whining. You threw your argument out here, and people are rightfully showing you why it's wrong. If you can't stand the heat, get lost.

Answer 5

To answer your question, "Are such people damned from birth?", I would have to say no.Quite the opposite.They are born blessed into this world for not having to believe in something in order to feel validity or to alleviate fears of death or to think that they have all the answers and they are all "God did it".If only more people would be born into the world oblivious to the blight on humanity known as religion and faith therein.

Answer 6

They just don't do well with the standard image of God as portrayed in traditional religion. Not everyone connects with, this universal spiritual force that is the glue that makes the universe work as one, in the same way. This does not mean, they don't connect with the spiritual realm, in their sleep. Or that they don't feel the moral obligation, to contribute positively, to making this world a better place.

Answer 7

Autism simply means you are not able to connect with other people, and since ignorance such as religion is socially contagious, it makes them sort of impervious to religious propaganda. Further disproving the "god".

How ironic that so often us atheists use your own arguments against you.

Answer 8

Believing in God your going to have tons of questions since much of your religion doesn't make sense. So keep up the questions.

Answer 9

Good info - thanks.

By the way, would you ask a question you already knew the answer to?

And did I just do that?

Answer 10

yes, that disease is as old as religion itself, spreading rapidly and in many places stagnant, with no cure, and its not called Aspergers syndrome, it's called IGNORANCE

Answer 11

I think I saw it on a bumper sticker....

"Who are you to question why your god doesn't want me to believe in him?"