Teaching the Gospel to Autism child

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Christianity may be OK between consenting adults in private but should not be taught to young children - Francis Crick

Could you be more specific? Like, how old is the child? Is he/she high or low functioning autistic? It's kinda hard to give you good advice with so little information. But I can give you one advice that is very important (and this advice goes for non-autistic children too) : Do not get angry if your kid doesn't understand everything right away. If you start yelling and insulting your kid, he/she will not look forward to studying the Bible with you and will possibly loose all interests in the scriptures. Also, don't use the scriptures to point at faults in your child, but instead use it to encourage his/her good sides. Studying the Bible should be something to look forward to and it shouldn't feel like a trial.

Unless there were serious issues with communication, I think you could probably teach an autistic child the Gospel the same way you would teach an NT kid. Bible stories, that kind of thing.

But, yeah, you should probably try the parenting section. You'll get fewer bitter answers that way.

And to other posters out there: Guys, the scare-em-straight, you're-going-to-hell-if-you-don't-belong-to-this-exact-denomination-and-agree-with-everything-I-say methods that traumatize children do occur. No doubt about it. But irreperably scarring a child is not the same as teaching Christianity. I was raised Christian and went to Christian schools and church my whole life and never once saw teaching like that. Then again, I was pretty sheltered, as my parents were very good at picking schools and churches compatible with what they wanted to be teaching.

If you were raised in a Christian home and were scarred by that experience, you're in good company. Just please don't let your emotions dictate your decisions about spirituality.

In my view, any hint that a kid could possibly go to hell if he doesn't put his faith in Jesus should be kept silent. It is nothing short of psychopathic behavior (even if the parent is an alright person by nature).

Ooh... "pyschopathic". I had no idea that someone who discusses hell with kids was born with antisocial PD. Very astute.

My own sarcasm aside, I think that hell is a complex idea. I'm of the opinion that "hell" isn't a place of physical torment. My theory is that hell, if literal, is a place of spiritul stagnation and separation from God. People who have pursued a relationship with God go to Heaven, people who have refused a relationship with God stay outside. That kind of works though, becaus if a person has resisted a relationship with God their entire life, then spending eternity with him would really be "hell".

What exactly is that kind of hell like?

Will there be teeth grinding and constant fear and horror?

After practicing exorcism on the child to remove the demonic possesion that causes autism (not vaccines), then you can teach the Gospel to the child, not before.

At least a part of it could be here on earth. As far as what it might be like; possibly at times tailored for the individual in a natural way. If hell is strictly mythology, it is likely linked to the human experience, most mythology is.

Some people may end up there by their own devices, others don't get a choice.

After a certain point in time my 94 year old great Aunt, told me it was old age.

Likely there is "heaven" on earth also, hope you are there now. I'm not one hundred percent sure but I think I've already been there.

On a more serious note, there are some good points in the last post. If one lives life by natural laws that work, they do better than if they go against them. Religion may help some people find those laws. Life, is though, scary enough, without a fear of eternal torment.

Like being disallowed pasta for all eternity in retribution for disobedience to the FSM.

Er, whatever laughable bullsh*ttery you want to substitute it with.

Grinding of teeth? I dunno. I've never understood that reference. Even when I've been under a lot of stress, I don't think I ever ground my teeth. Maybe they're really angry about something? Wikipedia says that most people who grind their teeth do so in their sleep. It's typically associated with disturbed sleep patterns and/or high levels of anxiety or stress.

Constant fear and horror? Probably. What I'm about to say is not biblically based; it's just my own thoughts. I think that there's a kind of fear that you get from a rush of chemicals. I know someone who is pathologically afraid of snakes. If she sees a snake on TV, she freaks out and screams before she has a chance to think about it. I think hell is different. There's a kind of subtler, existential horror when someone doesn't think their life has any meaning. I've felt it before. It's not the kind of thing where you're constantly afraid of something. It's the kind of thing that occurs to you right before you fall asleep, gives you dark or disturbing dreams, and won't let go of you throughout the day. Most of the time, you don't even know what you're so terrified of. You're not always even aware that the feeling is there. I think that kind of existential horror is what would be felt in hell.

Ugh. I hate this belief system sometimes.

Just out of curiosity, why do you ask?

I just don't see how your version of hell is any better to talk about with kids than the traditional version, especially given that there's really no conclusive evidence for any kind of hell ... just faith and mere speculations.

But I can't stop you from preaching to your kids whatever you feel is right ... so whatever rocks your boat.

You're correct; it isn't any better. The concept of hell is by definition a "mature subject" like sex, drug abuse, or suicide. They all fall under things that are better for discussing with older or more emotionally mature kids. Hell is a squeemish topic however it's presented.

On the other hand, if someone feels that the concept of hell needs to be discussed, then there are ways it can be done in an age-appropriate manner. Just like discussions of conception, drug abuse, or suicide can be done in an age appropriate manner.

Long story short, I agree with you.

Age appropriate and appropriate age are yes important factors. I recall vividly my parents presenting me about age 7 - me not them - with a book that was their contribution to sex education. All I ever got. At that age I was totally unable to process the information given into any knowledge structure that could be useful then or later.

And the same definitely applies to teaching about the constitution, evolutionary history, religion, math. And bird songs. Not ready till you are ready.

But an awful lot of people - whatever it is they wanty to teach - are not ready, willing or able to discern what is the right time.