Autism study strengthens idea that we read God's mind

[RandallS]

People with autism appear less likely to believe in God – a discovery that has strengthened theories that religious belief relies on being able to imagine what God is thinking, a capacity known as "mentalising".

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[yewberry]

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I'm finding the discussions in the comments more provocative than the article itself.

Brina

[spoOk]

I'm finding the discussions in the comments more provocative than the article itself.

Brina

if your busy being autistic and your caretakers are busy taking care of your basic needs(I know there are levels of just how autistic one might be) and your still a kid anyway,why would you bother with something 'extra' like religion?
most kids only know of religion what they have been taught or come into contact with via their caregivers. if your spending all your time on the basics,when would you have time to show Timmy the idea of religion?
honestly it would be better to do this study using adult autistic patients.

I bet they'd get similar results and inferences from atheists.

[Annie Roonie]

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I work with several high functioning autistic kids and for them the idea seems on point. But it is something they work on too. Not trying to develop a belief in God, but trying to find ways to empathize so they can react and act appropriately to social cues. I enjoy them so much because they have to be very up front with themselves, and they must make themselves notice things most people take for granted.

One of my absolute faves is graduating. I may cry. He's come so far. He's stopped telling people they are stupid and expecting them to get over it in a split second. That's been huge.

One asset there may be to this inability or reduced ability to mentalize showed itself a few days ago. M, my former student, did not let any of the doubts that can develop also during mentalization (often healthy but sometimes inhibitive) stop him from asking a very popular girl out on a date. That was so cool. He may not understand why someone might not like him right away, but he doesn't take offense either and he moves on. She was a gem too even when she declined. These types of things might stagnate anybody else for a time, but not him. Nobody is out of his league and he doesn't feel sorry for himself when he's not chosen.

Oddly, every one of the autistic kids (I've only had high functioning males with no other disabilities) has an abiding interest in mythology. I wonder what they're doing with those myths in those noggins.

[spoOk]

I work with several high functioning autistic kids and ...........snip.........

Oddly, every one of the autistic kids (I've only had high functioning males with no other disabilities) has an abiding interest in mythology. I wonder what they're doing with those myths in those noggins.

hey what a cool observation! I would love to know too! is it possible to do a survey with them on topics like what they are thinking?

[Stardancer]

I work with several high functioning autistic kids and for them the idea seems on point. But it is something they work on too. Not trying to develop a belief in God, but trying to find ways to empathize so they can react and act appropriately to social cues. I enjoy them so much because they have to be very up front with themselves, and they must make themselves notice things most people take for granted.


Oddly, every one of the autistic kids (I've only had high functioning males with no other disabilities) has an abiding interest in mythology. I wonder what they're doing with those myths in those noggins.

My own 10yo aspie has already declared himself a staunch atheist. He also gets very frustrated when his little sister gets scared of monsters - he's quite clear on what exists and what doesn't.

[spoOk]

My own 10yo aspie has already declared himself a staunch atheist. He also gets very frustrated when his little sister gets scared of monsters - he's quite clear on what exists and what doesn't.

does he beleive in germs?
microscopic monsters are scary!
I like what nature has to offer and don't put anything past her in terms of what we may have not found yet,or perhaps what may have survived that we thought was extinct.

imagine if bombardier beetles were bigger?!
that's natures chemical warfare right there.
I tend to need to see to beleive BUT,I'm willing to entertain the idea that the cat COULD be in the box until its opened and shown for sure one way or the other.

[Annie Roonie]

hey what a cool observation! I would love to know too! is it possible to do a survey with them on topics like what they are thinking?

I was thinking along those same lines today. My sample would be too small in any one year, but I am going to ask as the years progress. Also, I am going to ask my co-teacher about it. She may know of a study or some other work that already exists pertaining to it.

[Annie Roonie]

My own 10yo aspie has already declared himself a staunch atheist. He also gets very frustrated when his little sister gets scared of monsters - he's quite clear on what exists and what doesn't.

You might find this TED Talk interesting. The first time I showed it to a class, M was in the room. He's been teased and poked his whole life in school, and he's heavily into computers and gaming. And for once, the kids looked at him with awe.



Now it may not be the best thing to point out that some of the most high profile cyber criminals have Aspergers, but in our teen society here, badass is badass even if the "badass" doesn't much care about what anyone else thinks. M loved it. But he did stop me after ward to tell me that "Knowing these thugs, they'll be asking me for help breaking into some nickel and dime store," and he rolled his eyes.

I have never told M of my paganism, but he's snooped about what I read and even once told me that it was okay with him if I wanted to research the occult. That was him being charming. I imagine when he was 10, he would have sat me down for a good talking to!

Sigh. I miss him already.