Any autistic clergy?

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14 Sep 2014, 1:25 pm

I'm considering becoming a minister at my church, and I wonder, does anyone here know of any autistic clergy? Or are one themselves?

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15 Sep 2014, 3:04 pm

Asperger96 wrote:

I'm considering becoming a minister at my church, and I wonder, does anyone here know of any autistic clergy? Or are one themselves?

read the PM from me.

Kraichgauer
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15 Sep 2014, 10:46 pm

I've had suspicions for some time that Martin Luther was on the spectrum.

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16 Sep 2014, 3:12 am

Asperger96 wrote:

I'm considering becoming a minister at my church, and I wonder, does anyone here know of any autistic clergy? Or are one themselves?

Like anything, follow your passion, your bliss.

You might be concerned about the pastoral side (or some other aspect), and if so, don't let it hold you back. I've known church ministers/pastors who weren't good at one aspect, but great at another. One knew his talents weren't in the pastoral side, but he was a great leader and preacher.

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16 Sep 2014, 3:41 am

The previous Pope, Ratzinger, was a bit Sheldon-Leonard-like in personality. Makes you wonder.

envirozentinel
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17 Sep 2014, 4:57 pm

There was a Catholic priest who was posting on some of the forum threads especially Off The Wall a few months ago, although I haven't seen him around lately. One of his main interests was classical music and he also posted in the relevant forum.

It is definitely possible as all types of personalities are to be found in the clergy, same as in many other fields of life.

0_equals_true
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17 Sep 2014, 5:43 pm

naturalplastic wrote:

The previous Pope, Ratzinger, was a bit Sheldon-Leonard-like in personality. Makes you wonder.

Is amazing how people speculate on s**t.

He was religious conservative. Just becuase he wasn't enigmatic doesn't make him autistic. Most people aren't.

Beside a Sheldon would find that doctrine illogical.

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17 Sep 2014, 6:57 pm

0_equals_true wrote:

naturalplastic wrote:

The previous Pope, Ratzinger, was a bit Sheldon-Leonard-like in personality. Makes you wonder.

I was being just a tad tongue-in-cheek. And I wasnt impugning his conservatism.

Wasn't "enigmatic"??????????????

WTF?

"Enigmatic" means "mysterious".

I think that you mean "wasn't charismatic".

He was lacking in charisma. But he was also very pedantic. And not a "people person". Rather stiff.

I guess my point was that if a dork like Ratzinger (aspie or not) can rise to being the chairman of the board of the biggest religious institution on the planet than there is more than enough hope for the OP in the clergy business.

And you have to admit that Ratzinger was more outwardly aspie acting than many historic figures whom folks on WP commonly latch onto as possible aspies (Jefferson, Lincoln, Reagan).

But I agree that you cant 'armchair diagnose somebody'. They have to undergo the exhaustive diagnosis process conducted by a qualified expert. I did forget to chant that WP catechism when I said that.

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18 Sep 2014, 4:34 am

I've encountered a few blogs from ministers that were diagnosed with Asperger's.

Stereotypically, clergy are thought of as people persons but most are actually introverted. Many Protestant and Catholic religious denominations require advanced learning to be ordained, so that probably accounts for the bookishness.

Asperger96
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22 Sep 2014, 10:59 am

naturalplastic wrote:

I guess my point was that if a dork like Ratzinger (aspie or not) can rise to being the chairman of the board of the biggest religious institution on the planet than there is more than enough hope for the OP in the clergy business.

...thanks? I think?

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22 Sep 2014, 11:28 am

Asperger96 wrote:

naturalplastic wrote:

...thanks? I think?

naturalplastic effectively said that you're more awesome than the pope. It depends on context whether you view this as a back-handed compliment. I'd focus on the more awesome than the pope part, personally. :lol:

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22 Sep 2014, 5:05 pm

My grandfather was a minister and he clearly had all the telltale symptoms. The best pastor I ever had, very adept in pastoral care too because in spite of his symptoms once he cut past small talk and nonsense he could really deal with significant life issues. In fact, it was just like he was talking about a special interest because religious issues were his special interest, he was encyclopedic.

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23 Sep 2014, 1:18 pm

Does anyone think C.S. Lewis might have had autism? He wasn't a minister, I don't believe.

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23 Sep 2014, 9:51 pm

naturalplastic wrote:

The previous Pope, Ratzinger, was a bit Sheldon-Leonard-like in personality. Makes you wonder.

Nope. Just liked to bugger alter boys.

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23 Sep 2014, 10:05 pm

Cash__ wrote:

Just liked to bugger alter boys.

That's quite an accusation. Care to back it up with anything? It seems hugely insensitive to both innocent Roman Catholics and victims of sexual abuse (and of course both at once).

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24 Sep 2014, 8:48 pm

YourMum wrote:

Cash__ wrote:

Just liked to bugger alter boys.

That's quite an accusation. Care to back it up with anything? It seems hugely insensitive to both innocent Roman Catholics and victims of sexual abuse (and of course both at once).

are you personally offended?

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