Are Aspies More Open Towards Non-Mainstream Faiths?

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I have recently been getting into Zen Buddhism, and practice at a local center. As I live in the U.S, this is way outside the mainstream, probably for all Western cultures. In fact, I have heard I practice at one of the more prominent centers, and yet I have never heard of it -- I have lived in this city most of my life.

I have been noticing recently there are several Aspies who convert to religions outside the mainstream, and not just Buddhism. A fellow I practice with who I strongly suspect has Asperger's was a Wiccan beforehand. Of course, we know there are many atheist Aspies, and while atheism is growing in the West, I think it is fair to say it is still outside the mainstream in most places.

Has anyone else had the same observation I have had? If you suspect that Aspies are more likely to embrace non-mainstream faiths than the general population, why do you think that is?

maybe, I can only speak for myself.

I was firmly atheist for my teenage years, learned about Buddhism, was Buddhist, learned meditation and yoga.
Through that I discovered Daoism, and these two have been a much larger part of my study
Although I have also studied Hinduism and a small amount of Judaism.
Satanism was also a consideration at one point, "LaVeyan Satanism" that is.

I really don't identify specifically with any of them, I just relate most to Daoism and Buddhism, and there's no need to accept any "miracles" or God etc with those two especially, so that makes it a little easier seeing as how they're really just life philosophies. But the same is true of Satanism, it has some good points as well. So does Thelema..

Sigh I could go on and on, point is..
I think aspies are just more likely to have obscure hobbies/interests... and in the west, anything but Christianity and Atheism is considered "obscure", sadly.

Even if a religion is not mainstream autistics have a hard time fitting in.

I tried to live as a Christian but that didn't work, I couldn't logically believe in someone I haven't and still can't see...this I found very difficult.

I have read up on Islam and there is no way on this green earth I would ever convert to that as I definitely wouldn't fit in at all, I have consider Buddhism and while I love the concept it doesn't feel right for me as I'm not good at adhering to man made rules at the best of time...

For most of my life I've been an Agnostic and the more I learn the more I lean towards Atheism....

S

No but anyone seeking a path or just a chance at acceptance is. Especially if it has little resemblance to those whom they felt didn't accept them. This was made easier since the beginning of the information age.

That is I'm not saying any religions considered "non-mainstream" is in anyway lesser than others. Its just not an inherently aspie related thing. Something I find interesting is how "non-mainstream" religions get cought up in the whole, faith hopping scene.

I've been open to buddhism, but keep in mind that buddhism (despite the -ism) is not as structured of a religion as many people think.

It's not really a religion at all.

To my understanding Buddhism is a philosophy and not a religion as such...

S

It depends what you define as "religion".. but usually it involves some kind of belief in supernatural events/characters (gods, creation stories, miracles etc..)
Buddhism only has the concept of reincarnation in most sects, but overall it's generally just a philosophy to attain "inner peace", nirvana.
Daoism is even less of a religion, with no real implications of what occurs at the time of death, who created the universe etc etc.