There's always some emotional danger associated with busting peoples' comfort zones, which is what I'm surmising you did by telling folks you're autistic. It brings up a fear response. What if assumptions about how people are turn out to be wrong? So their first impulse was to retreat but since there's no place to go, they kicked you out instead. That sucks. They've turned their subject fear into your objective dangerousness. Not a healthy move, for you or for them.
Speaking solely from personal experience…I’ve found that the church I attend (C of E) is very inclusive and tolerant.
But I do think it depends on the vicar…they have to have the right mix of intelligence and insanity.
Our vicar was Canonised last year--but still felt it necessary to use a sock puppet and a make BbARRRRRRR sheep sounds during last week’s Crib service.
Wouldn't want a boring old sod now would ya? ;]
No indeed - I like the church leaders who tell jokes too. I'm really shocked by the above example of discrimination and you can be sure there will be a nice warm spot prepared for the perpetrators. I mean, how unchristian can you get? They would be considered rampantly discriminatory if they denied entry to a person with a wheelchair or missing a couple of limbs or similar, so how is having AS any different?
Without regard to your religious views I would advise seeing if you can get any form of legal assistance to take action against the individual who excluded you. I'd also press them more for a formal apology, but do so in a formal manner (solicitor's letter).
Actually sueing the church seems like it would attract negative attention, putting heavy pressure on them to not discriminate is more likely to be worthwhile. Though personally I would love to see religious organisations lose their non-profit status (I do not view promoting religious belief as a charitable act) this is unlikely to happen any time soon.
That is why Atheism is the way to go!
If the person in question was barred from a tennis club because he/she was an Aspie, should he/she then be convinced bowling is a better sport?
This has nothing to do with religious views itself. Also, featherways has said the members are supportive, it's the leader who isn't.
Sounds just like typical religious ignorance and childishness. "You're diffewent. That scaes us, so now go away!" That's how they are behaving.
Featherways, I am sorry to hear that you had such a poor experience, but glad to hear that you are finding some resolution to it. In the end, churches are made up of people, and people bring to the table their own unique experiences and perceptions. When I used to go to the news section of this forum, it did seem that there have been a lot of articles in UK associating adult Aspies with a higher degree of violence. Perhaps that association was unintended, but it did seem to arise. Perhaps the leader carried that taint? Or, perhaps, the leader was one of those who believes the autistic spectrum and religious faith are inherently incompatible (some Aspies on this forum seem to feel that way), and worried that influence would be brought into the group. REGARDLESS, the leader was wrong, because you are a unique individual, and not a preconception.
My son has always gotten a lot of joy from his religious studies, and his teachers always tell me how much they adore him; he apparently such really unique and insightful things. I only tell the teachers about Aspergers if there is a reason to, and there really hasn't been (my son complained that his teacher last year made him keep both feet flat on the floor all class, and I debated explaining to the teacher that this was unrealistic for my child, but instead told my son that perhaps learning to control his movements for one paltry hour a week wasn't such a bad thing, that he should at least try - and, low and behold, he did it). ANYWAY, I do think that my son experiences faith in a different way than an NT would, but it is still a beautiful thing, and he seems to really enjoy the ritual and tradition that come with it.
SO, I do hope you will a church home for yourself, that will fill your needs, and allow you to flourish and give something back.
I'm happy to hear that the church seemed to respond to a solicitor's letter. People way too often give religious organisations special privileges as is seen by the "can a church be sued?" question earlier in this thread, the fact is that ANY organisation that offers a service directly to the public for money or as a non-profit group is legally obliged not to discriminate. A church is definately not just a closed grouping of friends, but a service offered to the public (a place of worship for followers of their particular religion) in exchange for money (pass the collection plate round please) or as a non-profit.
Personally, I would have said from the start "I will be taking legal advice on this matter", though for me personally I wouldn't have been in a church to start with.
Lac90 - Indeed, regardless of religious disagreement there's a lot of churches who are good in that they won't blatantly discriminate like this. Though, I do wonder how a church could not turn someone away due to religion (i.e a christian church accepting a non-christian doesn't make much sense).
Thats why even atheist's can come into church's if they need help, and not just spiritual help, either.
I'll have to remember that one.........
The off-topicness was my fault mainly, sorry about that.
Gareth, every once in a while when I read one of your posts I'm reminded of, and appreciative of, how mature you are. Thank you for being you.
Thanks
He's a troll, Marcia.
Disregard.
I know, but I still felt it my duty to inform you. ;]
Thank you for the compliment, Marcia.
*pecks you on the hand, then straightens back up.*