So, I like to get on here and read all of the posts and comments that others are leaving. And, I became a little confused about the higher power. I sure hope that my belief doesn't have to be the same as others to keep me sober. I do believe in a higher power. But, that higher power resides in my heart and mind. I'm not the definition of a Christian by any means. Now, that certainly wouldn't threaten my sobriety, would it?
I am not good at this internet thing...I also meant to say though you need to take Steps 2 and believe there is a power greater than yourself. As long as it isn't you...you can make it in this program. I also suggest reading the "Chapter to the Agnostics" in the Big Book...that helps.
I worried about the concept of a Higher Power too when I first came to AA. But, as Erin has said, this is a spiritual program and not a religious one. For quite a long time my God stood for Group Of Drunks and it helped to keep me sober. It's all about a God/Higher Power of our understanding, so it can be as personal as we want it to be.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
You don't have to be a Christian, you don't have to believe in God, but you DO have to believe in a power greater than you.......Get to some BB study meetings, get with your sponsor and definatley read the Chapter to the Agnostic.
(((hugs)))
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Crystal you answered your own question really. You say your higher power is in your heart and mind,, THAT IS spirituality!! You got it already girl! Just hold on and relax! Welcome to this wonderful support group! Allison
HC religious talk sends exactly the wrong message and often pushes newcomers out of the rooms. It's great that your belief system was intact when you arrived in the rooms but pushing a religious agenda is not the spiritual approach that the founders of program intended, even though they, like 80% of the people, were church going christians At That Time. AA is under a fair amount of scrutiny presently for being a religious cult. If you need evidence of this google for negative AA rhetoric. We don't intend to serve up softballs, in the form of archived text, to support their claims. I don't know what part of the country that you live in or where you attend meetings (south eastern small town perhaps) but the majority of the meetings that I've attended in CA, DC, and FL in the last 22 years frowned on the overemphasis of "GOD" (higher power is the preferred phrase) or especially citing specific religious references. That's just not tolerated. There are many successfully recovering agnostics and atheists in the program and it is disrespectful to over emphasize (as in "this is the only way") it. Many AA's do very well choosing an AA group or a thousand other things, besides a traditional HP, for their "Power Greater than Themselves". Several are members of this board Worldwide (myself not included).
For me (and this is FOR ME) my HP had to reside outside of myself. I needed that because frankly my heart and mind to take me bad places and frankly I couldn't see how a power greater than myself could reside within me. That said, I see no reason that someone's HP has to be the Christian God. It can be many many many things. There are a couple women in my women's meeting that are very strong on Eastern philosophy, an athiest, a couple agnostics who hold the group as their HP, etc. Whatever works.
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even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you --Psalm 139
AA is under a fair amount of scrutiny presently for being a religious cult.
-- Edited by StPeteDean at 07:55, 2008-11-13
This fascinates me because AA lacks the one thing that defines a cult: an all-powerful charismatic "leader". I suppose there are some who put the AA founders on a pedestal, but they are a small minority and hardly dominant within the walls of AA meetings. At least not where I come from.
Is AA a religion? One could argue that it is, but if so, that makes it the only religion that doesn't require you to renounce or give up your other religion to be a member. Even if your "other" religion is athiesim or agnosticism.
There are many AA members who don't actively participate in a religion... I'm one of them. I was raised Episcopalian but within my own family we had rabid athiests, evangelicals, moderate Protestents of various denominations... I was exposed to all of it. But there are plenty of AA members who are practicing Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, Muslims, athiests... AA does not discount or interfere with, or contradict those beliefs and traditions - individual disputes aside.
Anyway, the above is just my personal opinion and observation - AA had no opinion on outside issues, and fortunately for us all, AA has always considered what the world thinks of us to be an "outside issue".
AA is under a fair amount of scrutiny presently for being a religious cult.
-- Edited by StPeteDean at 07:55, 2008-11-13
Is AA a religion? One could argue that it is, but if so, that makes it the only religion that doesn't require you to renounce or give up your other religion to be a member. Even if your "other" religion is athiesim or agnosticism.
Barisax
I beg to differ. my former religion, before getting sober was the church of Budwieser. "Everyone has to believe in something, I believe that I'll have another beer" And i had to give it up, or at least have a desire to, to join this group.
[my former religion, before getting sober was the church of Budwieser. "Everyone has to believe in something, I believe that I'll have another beer" And i had to give it up, or at least have a desire to, to join this group.]
Yup, if I hadn't been/wasn't so obsessed with alcohol.. I wouldn't have to be so obsessed with Recovery lol ;D I'm glad I know about my condition Today! Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
And i had to give it up, or at least have a desire to, to join this group.