Can a person with autism be transformed?

[Crossbreed]

The thrust of Romans 12:2 is a transformation from worldly to Godly, not Aspie to NT. One can be an Aspie and Godly at the same time. We all have a place in God's Kingdom, if we will accept it.

I was introduced to God's Kingdom through THIS PAGE.

 

[Silverwhistle]

Agreed. And "transformed" into what?

And I'm sorry, but ancient Middle Eastern folklore written by people who believed psychological difficulties were caused by "evil spirits" isn't the slightest use at all. I can see that gods, like all other fictional characters (religions are just fantasy fandoms that are taken far too seriously), can be of help in navigating your personal space, but I prefer fictional characters that aren't sold as 'real' or used to manipulate people. I can play with them more constructively.

We need to live with who we are, what we are. There are things we can change, in terms of managing ourselves, but we can't remove our autism, any more than we can change our eye-colour. Learning to "pass" is the equivalent of wearing coloured contact lenses: it may fool some, but it becomes increasingly uncomfortable and painful if you have to keep it up for a long time without a break.

 

[hudz]

Chances are high. Indeed. Depends on your readiness and intention. As for me, I started by doing things that involves activating right brain, like go into nature, gardening, farming, arts, music, poem, and easiest way is to imitate thinking pattern, action, talk, everything from a right brainer. When, you know yourself better then you can embark to the spiritual awakening journey that really helps you to make sense the alien realm of this world. Or, maybe all will happened asynchronously, depends on you. And NO, you will not be someone else. But, certainly, you will get comfortable with yourself and stop worrying.

 

[Grandmother B]

hi clintos, my view is a positive one-i see my LFA as a neutral way of being and only see autism as a disability if it is under the social model concept,a lot of people would laugh at that as they like to see LFA as a tragedy but i dont have awareness around my many complex struggles and i feel free.
i think aspies are brutally aware of themselves in society and find societys expectations make their impairments be or look worse,i think this is why more aspies than LFAs would want to be cured.

however....if you feel your autism is a negative thing,that is how you feel,no one can tell you how to think,and i really hate it when you get pushy people on either side of the arguement trying to push others to think like them.
if you want it to disappear,that is entirely your wish,and there are quite a few aspies out there who want to be 'cured',but you couldnt become NT as your wiring was set before you were born,you would have to be born another person.

i have sympathy for people who want rid of their autism as i know they must be struggling and they cant cope for the many different reasons we know of,the best that can be done currently,is to give you support and help you come to terms with your ASD,would councillor/psychologist input help you?

In the Bible it says in Romans 12:2, that the mind can be transformed. Does anyone not accept their autism like me and want to be changed?

Or is it best to accept autism, and embrace it, because it is who we are?

I think every person is awesome in the eyes of God. You can probably find quite a few suggestions at www.aspergerexperts.com as to acceptance of yourself and concentration on your unique abilities. Good luck and God bless...

 

[Meistersinger]

You've missed the point on this verse. Paul is not talking about a physical transformation. Rather, he is talking about a spiritual transformation. Instead of conforming to the will of the world, which is almost always a disaster, conform to God's will and what he has waiting for you. That still, small voice the prophet Elijah heard is still the most powerful voice to be heard.

 

[Meistersinger]

Literally never going to happen.

Actually, with the exception of the fundamentalist christians, there is no reason that evolution and Genesis can't coexist. If you read Genesis 1, each day consisted of day and night. Notice the author doesn't specify the length of time for day and night? For me, anyhow, that connotes Genesis and evolution are compatible with each other.

 

[Servelan]

In the Bible it says in Romans 12:2, that the mind can be transformed. Does anyone not accept their autism like me and want to be changed?

Or is it best to accept autism, and embrace it, because it is who we are?

Clintos, you're looking at something that talks about a spiritual, not a physical transformation. Paul is talking about the change from being a jerk to a nice guy (to simplify), not dealing with the physical. When you are transformed in the way Paul references, you let go of the things of the world and focus on the things of the spirit and see the world differently. Mind you, I'm no theologian...but if you are looking for transformation of that sort, it would more likely result in your acceptance of who you are if you have not liked yourself previously, and being able to let go of those things that kept you from being all that you can be.

 

[dragonwolf]

Essentially she honestly believes whatever neurological limitations I seem to have, can all be overcome...

I know they mean well, but I hate these kinds of people. While you can change a lot of things by changing your perception, there are still core things that can't be changed. You can't will yourself to grow wings, for example, you know?

That has nothing to do with autism or any other mental or neurological state - or physical, psycho-emotional state for that matter. Autism is not a state of 'brokenness' brought on by abuse, struggle, suffering or negative life experiences.

So, one can certainly pray for change if autism brings misery, and it is possible that one can be changed through prayer, but I certainly do not believe it to be an abnormality in the traditional sense.

I agree with this. Humanity exist on all sorts of spectra, to think that there is only one "normal" with something as complex as the brain is naive, to say the least. In that regard, the fundamental wiring of Autism is just as normal as the fundamental wiring of a neurological.

I can see that gods, like all other fictional characters (religions are just fantasy fandoms that are taken far too seriously),

FYI, this is a very insulting thing to say, as it is disrespectful of other people's beliefs. Even if you don't understand the difference, there is a difference for most people between a fandom of a fantasy character and a god. I love Groot, for example, but I'm not about to worship him.

Also, this forum does have some rules regarding religious discussion, it would be good to review them, so that you can find a way to word your views without risking getting in trouble or getting a thread shut down.

 

[UniqueChic]

In the Bible it says in Romans 12:2, that the mind can be transformed. Does anyone not accept their autism like me and want to be changed?

Or is it best to accept autism, and embrace it, because it is who we are?

I am autistic and I can truly testify to the fact (yes,it's a fact) that I am in the process of being transformed by the Bible. It works IF you stick with it in a consistent manner. I've been at it for 4 years now and I can honestly say GOD IS GOOD!!!! I use to be so angry, fearful, and hopeless, but now, I have a strong sense of security and love and also filled with peace that ONLY Jesus can bring. Hebrews 4:12,"The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword"
Autism doesn't even bother me anymore. Autism doesn't define us.

 

[ChrisN]

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Romans 12:4-5
Wouldnt it be funny if Aspergers was the new normal?

 

[Crossbreed]

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 NKJV

 

[Bellatrix]

I'm sorry, but that's just not true. If you were genuinely looking for the truth as to whether people on the spectrum can be "changed" then you need to be looking towards science. You need to search somewhere else.

This may come as a surprise to you, being an atheist and all of that, but the vast majority of people (about 99.99% of them) actually don't believe that science (the methodology we use to determine the nature of purely physical phenomena) can address their personal issues as well. This is not what the practice of science is for.

Speaking for myself, I don't believe that the philosophy of materialism (which is probably what you really had in mind, not science), can even begin to tackle the kind of questions that transcend the methodology of science, which is based upon that philosophy. Questions like, "Why are we here?", "Why is there something rather than nothing?", and "Why should I believe material reality to be all there is?" Why should I believe in the reality of the past? Why should I reject solipsism? All questions that science, due to its inherent limitations, cannot even begin to address.

So, your advice above, that I quote, is really... well, it's just wrong, on so many levels.

 

[Bellatrix]

Can a person with autism be transformed? The simple answer I believe is yes, if only because the notion that our "wiring" was set in place for all time to come either prior to, or at, our birth, is just one more of those dogmas that appear in science, often without much justification.

People, over the course of their lives, change constantly, to the extent that the physical form they had a mere seven years prior no longer even exists. Why, therefore, should we just cavalierly accept the (in my view, rather dubious and odious) view that those of us who are on the proverbial spectrum are beyond redemption, that we are what we are for the duration of our lives, and there is nothing we can do about it? Where did this strange idea come from? Why do we so easily accept it?

My advice: don't accept any of the answers given here, including my own, if you find yourself unable to integrate those answers into your life. Question everyone and everything, and don't accept an idea simply because it sounds 'plausible', as many unfortunately do. Seek out your own answers, and if that means opening the Bible then so be it. Don't accept the derisory attitudes of those who think that only 'science' can provide answers to life's big questions, because it can't.

 

[Clintos]

You can not create something from nothing. Matter and energy is not created from nothing. This makes me feel that there has to be something out there and for me the closest I came to being transformed is from listening and reading the word of God. I am a work in progress and have learned to sing songs and resite verses in my head to comfort me, calm me down and not to be fearful of situations. For this it works and I can imagine the more I do it, the more the wires in my brain fire together to create a solid connection. This will make the newly learned habit/behavior easier the next time I face a particular situation.

 

[Clintos]

The thrust of Romans 12:2 is a transformation from worldly to Godly, not Aspie to NT.

Agreed, I get it now. I am learning to accept my autism the more I come to this site. I no longer look at my Aspergers in a negative way anymore.

 

[kay]

This may come as a surprise to you, being an atheist and all of that, but the vast majority of people (about 99.99% of them) actually don't believe that science (the methodology we use to determine the nature of purely physical phenomena) can address their personal issues as well. This is not what the practice of science is for.

Speaking for myself, I don't believe that the philosophy of materialism (which is probably what you really had in mind, not science), can even begin to tackle the kind of questions that transcend the methodology of science, which is based upon that philosophy. Questions like, "Why are we here?", "Why is there something rather than nothing?", and "Why should I believe material reality to be all there is?" Why should I believe in the reality of the past? Why should I reject solipsism? All questions that science, due to its inherent limitations, cannot even begin to address.

So, your advice above, that I quote, is really... well, it's just wrong, on so many levels.

I am sorta an atheist, and I love science, but I too find that some things just can't be meaningfully addressed by science. It may be that music, art, or literature seem better suited to the situation. There are parts of life that can't be accurately measured and studied and that's ok with me because I like a little ambiguity.

 

[Jimbo]

As a Christian teacher and preacher my take on this scripture is similar to what a few others have said. When we accept Christ and invite him into our hearts, the holy Spirit will begin to slowly change us. We will begin to see the fruit of the holy spirit in our lives which are listed in Galatians chapter 5. Kindness, patience, perseverance, joy.

We are all a work in progress. I know I am much different than I was 20 years ago. I am no longer an anger filled, jealous, impatient person. God has worked daily to turn me into the person he needs me to be. Everybody expects Christians to automatically be perfect, but we never will be, but hopefully we will slowly become more like Jesus each day.

No, I don't think our autism will go away, but God can take your weakness and do great things. Somehow God uses me to preach at 15 different churches and teach Sunday school. He gave me the desire to do this and gives me the strength and the courage to speak to large groups.

Hope this helps!

 

[gregmcph]

IMHO, very few people "sin". It's a myth put upon people that we are all sinners that I think is cruel. There certainly are willfully bad people in the world, but most folk are driven by their own brain chemicals as much as any Autistic person. People get tired and angry, they are affected by alcohol or the blood sugar, or addictions, or being overloaded, or a brain devising warped conclusions to the things they see... it's not The Devil, it's The Animal. The Meat. The Chemicals. You are told you are a sinner for things not entirely under your control.

I have an in-law who is a Good Person. A highly moral Great Guy when you catch him clear headed. But he will drink, get into fights, throw his money away at the Casino... he falls apart, and deeply deeply regrets it afterwards. A victim of his own brain.

Anyway, I know that's not what the Preachers preach, but that's my IMHO.

 

[Clintos]

I use to be an athiest, I use to think evolution was king, I use to believe science held all the answers. I want everyone to know that I appreciate your reply's and it doesn't matter what religion you are or background you have all opinions are welcomed. I will take what I need from your post.

 

[WittyAspie]

This may come as a surprise to you, being an atheist and all of that, but the vast majority of people (about 99.99% of them) actually don't believe that science (the methodology we use to determine the nature of purely physical phenomena) can address their personal issues as well. This is not what the practice of science is for.

Speaking for myself, I don't believe that the philosophy of materialism (which is probably what you really had in mind, not science), can even begin to tackle the kind of questions that transcend the methodology of science, which is based upon that philosophy. Questions like, "Why are we here?", "Why is there something rather than nothing?", and "Why should I believe material reality to be all there is?" Why should I believe in the reality of the past? Why should I reject solipsism? All questions that science, due to its inherent limitations, cannot even begin to address.

So, your advice above, that I quote, is really... well, it's just wrong, on so many levels.

I find that many of the disagreements between science and religion come from neither side staying within their purview. As you stated, many philisophical questions cannot be addressed by science. In the same way, the Bible is not a psychics book.

I could easily hop on my soap box here and provide exhaustive examples, but I shall refrain. Suffice it to say that I agree: science and religion address different questions.