Why would any parent take a severely autistic child to church? ?

Question

Especially if they already know that their child can't sit still and causes scenes? Do I have to explain this? An Austic child will have no concept of God, it's just not going to happen.

Answer 1

Every child should have a right to go to church Austic or not. How to you know that the child has no concept of God? Shame on the church for getting a restraining order. How would you feel if someone told you you could not bring your kids to church because they are no noisy?

Answer 2

Because he is a child of God just like you and everyone else. Shame on the church for getting a restraining order. God loves everyone and they are all made in his image. The church needs to get out there Bible and Read it!

Answer 3

shut up!!! christ.....who the h**l do u think u are?? all mighty perfect human?? what is it to u if a family bring a child with autism to church?? people with autism have just as much a  right to believe in god as u do!!!!! people with autism have as many rights as u and I !!! U should MIND UR OWN BUSINESS !!!!!!!!! get a life, dumbass

Answer 4

Are they supposed to lock them away or be ashamed of them just because they have autism. they are a family and probably enjoy attending church as a family. besides, how do you know what this child can comprehend?

Answer 5

I don't know that I would take my child if I were in that situation, however, I don't think that it's my right to choose where people can take their children.  

Answer 6

Thats not true. I know autistic children. They are way smarter than you think. And you really think that a disabled child should not be allowed in church?  

Answer 7

It gave you something to thank God for didn't it?

Thank God that ain't my Kid!

(I know, I know. I am a terrible person, but you all were thinking it)  

Answer 8

im not religious but if there is a god you think god cares for you more than an autistic child and you have more of a right to go somewhere that an autistic person. its none of your business, and you should be ashamed.

Answer 9

Why not? you are not God so you can not say who can or cannot have concept of Him, You sound embarrassed for the parent,are you? What would you rather they do with the child while they attend church?,maybe you should bring it in church next Sunday.

Answer 10

The parents probably take him to church to have faith.  Faith that their son may some day be better.  Church should be a place where everyone feels comfortable...like a family!  You would expect a church to be the most understanding of the situation!  Our church saying is 'come as you are' and I couldn't agree more!

Answer 11

it depends on the family's values and beliefs. plus, im sure the church knows what to expect out of said child. You are supposed to love and accept all persons

Answer 12

So what your saying is as a parent of a child with Autism you along with your child should shut yourselves away from the rest of the world because you have a child that's 'different' WRONG this happens too much i myself a mum to a beautiful boy who is 10 and also has severe autism knows only too well, I wanted to lock myself away with my son because i felt we/i were being judged by people who had NO idea what we go through and no idea how tough it is to cope and in the end i thought 'FORGET THIS' Thomas is a child MY child sod everyone who thinks otherwise, These parents find comfort in their church and they wanted to take their son THEIR RIGHT ..God loves everyone ..Right ?

Answer 13

Y are you in church if you believe your own statement! Anyone can get the concept of God. You don't know since you aren't the child if they understand or not. They have the right to take the child to church no matter what. Its a miracle the child is alive or not in the hospital. There is no point in you going to church every Sunday if your not getting what the word has to say! Not only is this rude but you should talk to you pastor about your feelings. If he has a problem with it then maybe they should start going to a better church with actual Christians.  

Answer 14

Why wouldn't they.  Just b/c the child is autistic doesn't mean they shouldn't go to church like normal people do and have a normal life like everyone else does!  Grow up and get over yourself.  I hope that one day you have a child with special needs so you know what it's like!  That's like saying people that have kids with severe ADHD shouldn't take them anywhere also! They are just as hyper and can't sit still to save their lives.  Just b/c someone has a disorder doesn't mean they should have their right to learn about GOD taken away from them.  They're just as special and loved by God as we all are, no matter what their flaws! GROW THE h**l UP!  And I think it's a crappy church anyway if they're gonna kick the family OUT b/c of this! That's not a real church!  A REAL church WELCOMES anyone and everyone!  I hope you grow up one day!  I really do!  And i really feel for you!  And to be quite honest with you, if I went to church that did something like that, I would be quite humiliated to be a part of it!  I would be ashamed!!!!!!!  I'm just appalled at this church's behavior! What kind of church is this anyway?

Answer 15

Why shouldn't they take their child to church? why does it matter if is autistic or not?

Do we ban kids that are not autistic but are generally very badly behaved.

A 3 month old baby may have no concept of God but is that a reason to ban its family.

This family want to raise their child as part of Gods family who are you to object suggest you read Mark 10:13-15 because that child will enter the kingdom of God before anyone in your church

Answer 16

I am a teacher and had an autistic child in my first grade classroom with an aid to assist him.  Yes, he stood out like a sore thumb, but he enjoyed learning new things in his own time.  If I was teaching about space, he would seem completely uninterested.  But later he would tell me that he wanted a Jupiter book.  He would look at it and ask questions.  Given a few weeks, he knew everything there was to know about Jupiter.  Yes, the rest of the class was now learning about the ocean, but he was learning, too.  Autistic children can learn.  They can learn that God loves them, and that's all they really need to know!  Don't you think that the parents need the support of loving people around them?  Give them a break!

I hope they find a new church home where people can help them.

Answer 17

I can understand that it might be distracting to have a child in Church services who is disruptive, however you would be surprised what an Autistic child absorbs, so be careful about assuming this child has no concept of God.  In addition, I don't recall Jesus ever turning anyone away, even lepers who were considered the worst of the worst back in that time. It is pleasing to God to have all of his children in his house, regardless of their issues, so with that said, I think you should consider going to a service at a different time if it bothers you that much.

*edit* if they got a restraining order, then why is this question being asked? Did it not solve the problem?

Answer 18

Because autistic kids are human beings too.  They shouldn't have to be shut in their whole lives just because they have a disability.  The parents should probably sit in the back so if there is a problem they can leave without making a scene.  It is important for them to be treated normally.  Have you ever stopped to think about how you would like to be treated if you had a disability?  

Answer 19

Maybe it’s not about the child attending church as much as it is about the parents. The child may have no concept of God (your view)  but the parents do. They have prayers to be answered and I’m sure each Sunday they attend church, people know why they’re there and know what they’re praying for. Maybe it gives them a sense of peace?

God’s not supposed to judge, so nobody else in “His house” should either….

I’m not saying I agree or disagree, just trying to give another perspective.

** ADD **

Wow, I'm sure God is proud of that church....

Answer 20

I suppose it would depend on the degree of autism.

I don't know much about autism, but from what I know, I believe autistic children are very introspective and drawn into themselves.  Seems to me church might be a safe, comforting environment snuggled up to mom & dad.

I don't see any problems with special needs children of any kind attending church.  I know God wouldn't mind.

Answer 21

How do you know what an autistic child has concepts of?  There are many, many types of autism, and just because you don't think they have a concept of something doesn't mean that's entirely true.  

What do you expect?  For the parents to just keep the child locked up at home all the time?

Answer 22

I am deeply offended by your question. My son is autistic and attends church, youth group, regular classes in school, and does fine. God's word is for everyone and only he and the boy know how much he is getting out of it. Now if he causes scenes a lot they should probably sit in back or near a side exit and take him out if he is actually disrupting the worship.

Other than that, mind your own business. You don't know what an autistic person is and is not capable of understanding and no child should be deprived of a spiritual life whose parents wish him to have one.

ETA: The CHURCH got a RESTRAINING order? Wow. And it's a Christian Church? WTF? Even if it wasn't my kid, I would leave a church over that. Worship is not about everything looking pretty and perfect for God. Worship is about praising God for what he does and letting Him see who we really are and shape us to be more like Him.

Are there news articles about this restraining order? Because I would think this would be a historic event -- a church getting a restraining order against a family. I don't think I believe you.

Even if true, why are you asking the question. Problem solved for you I guess.

What if Jesus had stood up speaking to the people and someone autistic or "with demons" or whatever had disturbed the crowd. Would Jesus have screamed, "Shut the F&*K up and leave!"  I don't think so. It is unconscionable to me that a church would turn away someone who can't help the way he is. They should be embracing this family.

Answer 23

God accepts everyone (he made us) so why shouldn't he go, severe or not, deaf, blind who cares you should be welcome anytime. that is what being a christian is, to be around lots of people and in the house of the Lord is an awesome experience regardless of what little he may get out of it. besides you should be going to church to worship the Lord not criticize people for who they are  

Answer 24

The parents are most likely using their faith to help get themselves through the issues that come with having a disabled child.

People like you are the reason that I don't associate with an organized church. As a fellow congregation member you should be there to support the parents instead of whining about the child making a scene. If the child's behavior disturbs other congregation members maybe one of you could stand up and offer to keep an eye on the child so that the parents can still attend the services.

And who are you to say that the child has no concept of what's going on during the church service? There are many different forms and severity levels of Autism. Even though he might not be considered highly functioning there is a very good chance that the child is aware of everything that is going on around him.

////

I'm glad that the family is no longer allowed at the church, maybe now that can find a truly Christian, non-judging congregation.

Answer 25

I have an autistic brother.  It is nearly impossible to find a baby sitter for a handicapped child.  Perhaps it would be best if the child went into the nursery.  

I see some of what you mean.  A severely autistic child has almost no vocabulary of understanding of language and thus cannot understand any of the sermon and get any benefit from it.   My brother knows approx. 20 words and would not even realize if the sermon was in another language.

Answer 26

if your not the parent to the child get over it then. its not your decision. who are you to say where autistic child can and can not go? they have all the same rights as anyone else. maybe people that are as judgemental as you shouldnt be in a church because god is the only one who should be juding people. i hope a mom of a autistic child reads this question....  

Answer 27

I used to go to a very large Catholic church (before we moved) and every Saturday night a family brought their adult child with them to church.  He would often call out and be disruptive during the service.

It broke my heart... I was never angry at the family or annoyed.  My heart just sank because I knew how embarrassed or stressed they might be.  But I'm really glad they continued to come to church.  God loves each of us, and how do you know that child doesn't understand God?  God makes himself known to us in many ways.

A family has the right to worship together even if their family isn't the same as everbody's else's family.  Perhaps that child could spend more time in the "baby room" or the family might want to sit out in the Narthex (if they can hear the service out there.)

Either way, I encourage families to attend church even if their children are not perfect.  And I encourage other families with "perfect" children to be thankful for their blessings, rather than be annoyed with other families who are doing the best they can.

Answer 28

We have a family in our church who has a SEVERELY autistic son.  He is 14 years old and yes, sometimes he does disrupt the services.  His wonderful parents just quietly handle the situation either by getting him occupied in his seat or taking him out if it is getting out of hand.  On occasion (rarely) they have had to leave.

I admire this family with all my heart.  They are doing the absolute best they can to raise all of their children (3 of them) in church and are doing a great job of making the best of the situation God has given them.  I think  to NOT go to church, against their beliefs, would be wrong.  They have every right (and responsibility, according to their beliefs) to take their ENTIRE family to church and it is possible to do it and be respectful of the other worshipers.    

Any church who would get a restraining order against a family because of their mentally impaired child is not a church worth attending.

Answer 29

U BETTER SHUT THE FRICK UP, BCUZ I HAVE A YOUNGER BROTHER WITH AUTISM, AND WE GO TO CHURCH ON A RUGULAR BASIS, AND HE BEHAVES JUST FINE. HE EVEN PRAYS WITH US AT DINNER, SO HOW WOULD U KNOW IF THEY'LL HAVE NO CONCEPTANCE OF GOD???!!!  OBVIOUSLY HE DUZ!!!! I PRAY FOR MY BROTHER EVERY NIGHT, THAT HE WILL GROW UP AND BECOME A GREAT CHILD OF GOD!!! AND SO FAR HE IS DOING JUST FINE!!! THERE ARE MANY CHILDREN WITH AUTISM OUT THERE, WHO ARE ALL VERY DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER. PLUS, I KNOW AN ADULT WHO IS 22 WITH AUTISM, AND HE HAS A SOLID RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. U SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF URSELF, AND LEARN MORE ABOUT AUTISM, BEFORE U JUST GO AND POST USELESS JUNK THAT U DONT EVEN KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ON THE INTERNET!!! MAY THE LORD FORGIVE UR IGNORANCE

Answer 30

it doesn't matter if the child is severely autistic or has down syndrome, blind or deaf church is supposed to be a place for anyone who believes not what disease they have. so based on what you said anyone that has a disability can't attend your church your church needs to rethink their values because it's clearly not on the word of god.

Answer 31

Because the parents have the freedom to.  How would you feel if you had an autistic/mentally disabled child and you were denied attendance to public places or church services?  How do you know an autistic child has no concept of God, even the severely autistic ones?  God loves all people and if He won't turn them away then no one should.

What kind of country are we coming to that we now deny other people's children because they are a distraction?  We may as well deny infants too, right?  I mean they can cry during the service or cause a scene.  Should I not take my 3 month old to church?  She doesn't understand God yet and she can "cause a scene" when she's hungry, tired or wet.   Just the same goes for an autistic child or any other child.  When they start causing a scene you simply take them out of the sanctuary for a few moments to calm them down.

-Add-

Mild, severe or what have you, the child should still not be denied the right to attend church.  I am ashamed of any church that would get a court ordered restraining order for a child who is mentally disabled.  God's heart is surely grieved as is my own.