Divine Hiddennesss and Spiritual Autism
ABSTRACT: If God exists and wishes to be known, then why do some not have a relationship with God? Arguments against atheist conclusions from divine hiddenness have been offered, but I ask how understanding autism may help to explain seeking reflective nonbelievers. Seeking reflective nonbelievers are in a state of spiritual autism. If a spiritual autist, one does not know God relationally. Autism is a significant disability in that it can preclude knowing others as persons qua persons. I provide an overview of autism and spiritual autism, review the problem of divine hiddenness, and address six issues that reveal how spiritual autism may be overcome.