[Morgana]

I understand why the preacher is doing this and he is correct.

[Blood of Tyrants]

HOWEVER, those with autism often do not have the ability to emulate, or even understand Christ.

[No name given]

I agree.

[Fuzz]

Yeah. Those kids should learn their place. /s

[whitney69]

“I understand why the preacher is doing this and he is correct.

Pentecostal Assemblies of God denomination

I find it interesting that the old Pentecostal churches were famous for their practitioners to being taken by spirits and rolling on the ground, hence the holy roller name, and spoke with tongues. Yet they can determine an illness as demonic? Just a bit outside.....

wy69

[packagingguy]

He’s not correct. That’s like saying people with Down’s syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome or the like as somehow not worthy of explaining why some people are different. It leads to acceptance that is sorely lacking in some congregations.

I have left a church over this—I have a high functioning kid with autism and the DCE decided to leave her in the baby room and away from the other kids. She was never allowed to interact with kids her own age. I let the minister know exactly why I was leaving (oh yes, and how they were accepting of the LGBTQ+++ crowd, fine for sexual perversion but no disabled kids in that congregation!)

If you want to treat people with autism like this, then you’re free to do so. But you should also treat people with heart failure, strokes, blindness, Down’s syndrome, etc. the same. No special accommodations for anyone. If you are different then conform or get out!

[alexander_busek]

From the article:

Because anything that exalts itself above the name of Christ should be brought down.

Morgana:

I understand why the preacher is doing this and he is correct.

Bringing attention to / raising awareness for a neurological maladaptation, and referring to it as such, is hardly "exalting" it.

I'm sure that the organizers of this "autism week" made it clear that sufferers have to overcome special problems in everyday life, and need our understanding.

What could possibly be "demonic" about that?

Regards,

[who_would_fardels_bear]

I would think women would want to identify as women before going to a gynecologist.

[alexander_busek]

"[T]here were moral aspects of this initiative that were diametrically opposed to the teachings of Christ." The pastor didn't detail the "moral aspects" of the initiative in question but [...]

If I were the preacher, I'd be falling over myself in my eagerness to explicitly delineate the supposed "moral aspects" of the initiative that were "diametrically opposed to the teachings of Christ."

This preacher is probably himself under attack by "demonic forces." I pity him.

Regards,

[Nifster]

No he is not.

Do you also think a person who is autistic is demonic?

[MachIV]

“prioritize identities over their faith in Jesus Christ.”

Such as?

[cva66snipe]

Not listing specifics of what the offenses actually were send up red flags in my opinion. Christ warned about the legalisms of the Pharisees and placing burdens on persons that they themselves could not carry.

Nobody ask for Autism and it has been around for a very long time.

The nations attitude and recognition of disabilities in persons began to slowly change during and after the Polio epidemic. Before that? Worse case scenario was institutionalizing or keeping the person at home away from society WHO COULD BE HELPED. They were shunned. I knew most disabled kids in my metro region because I ended up in a special education school built for disabled kids at first to deal with Polio victims. Then it expanded to deaf, ADD, blind, kids with behavioral issues etc. I spent 7th and 8 the grade in the early 1970's.

After I left there and went to regular high school and got my drivers license my Mom ended up working there as a teachers aide and bus driver.

1985 I married my quadriplegic Bride for the next 30 years GOD gave us.

I saw some well meaning Christians do damage that was flat out cruel & unBiblical such as telling her that he lack of faith is why she was a quad. No, actually when she was a small child the physical therapist believed she likely had Polio a mild case and it returned on her at age 35 just like that. Limb deformities consisted with Polio showed up when they measured her for a wheelchair.. We married after the fact.

Some churches as well as people get so worked up in following every letter of church doctrines instituted by it's leaders they miss what Christ has taught us to.

[Rockingham]

Not really. In a proper Christian context, the core teaching is that autistics and other special needs children and adults are to be neither feared nor scorned but must be recognized and supported as children of God as much as any of us are.

Moreover, although special needs education is difficult and limited in its benefits, it can and should include the story of Jesus Christ so that even those whose intellects are impaired can know that Jesus loves them and offers eternal glory.

[HKMk23]

His technical, theological instincts seem to have been pointed in a generally right direction, but his methodology appears to have been a horrific fiasco, grossly confrontive, needlessly ham-fisted, I mean — good God, man! What of GRACE!?!?!?

[Candor7]

I agree with you BUT the good pastor was not very skilled in leading his flock.

He snhould have had a congregational meeting of prayer with all concerned and gently explained why they had to change course.And then he should have substituted some other family based organized activity.

[UnwashedPeasant]

The parent reactions described in the article prove the pastor was right. These parents are making an idol of identity politics.

[Theophilus]

[T]here were moral aspects of this initiative that were diametrically opposed to the teachings of Christ."

And yet Anugrah Kumar didn't deign to list the aspects or events of Autism Celebration Week except for "dress up day". What does "dress up" have to do with undefined "autism"?

Praying for the pastor.

1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

[jimfr]

How do you dressup for Autism? With no listing of immoral activities, cannot make any conclusion. Except this pastor does not seem to know God’s grace.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

Preacher isn’t a hero, he’s speaking Christ-like, like a Christian!!!!!

Yes!!!

[HereInTheHeartland]

This preacher boy has some big issues.

[Vaduz]

Doesn’t everybody have autism but to a different degree read that some place long ago.