Every time we go to an A.A. meeting, every time we say the Lord's prayer, every time we have a quiet time before breakfast, we're paying a premium on our insurance against taking that first drink. And every time we help another alcoholic, we're making a large payment on our drink insurance. We're making sure that our policy doesn't lapse. Am I building up an endowment in serenity, peace, and happiness that will put me on easy street for the rest of my life?
Meditation for the Day
I gain faith by my own experience of God's power in my life. The constant, persistent recognition of God's spirit in all my personal relationships, the ever accumulating weight of evidence in support of God's guidance, the numberless instances in which seeming chance or wonderful coincidence can be traced to God's purpose in my life. All these things gradually engender a feeling of wonder, humility, and gratitude to God. These in turn are followed by a more sure and abiding faith in God and His purposes.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that my faith may be strengthened every day. I pray that I may find confirmation of my life in the good things that have come into my life.
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
Thanks Phil, I really need to know the AA program really is here right now. Lately, in all the religious ramblings I've begun to feel lost... I think bugger all this...I'm not here for a church service. I start getting defensive when people start quoting the bible, and rambling on about their religious experiences, because I figure there are others like me that just want to get sober or stay sober, who still deserve a chance at an awakening of a spiritual kind without all the religious hoo-ha and righteous damnation. It's very different to me... the religious awakening and the spiritual one...and after spending the day meditating on it, I don't feel that it's just me.
In the interests of newcomers, I have previously posted "Fear Not" or "AA is not a religion" messages to follow several religious orientated comments, because I truly believe many are just unable to swallow it or look through it, as many of us have learned to over time. I accept we are all different. I have no problem with others religions, unless they detract from life as I live it. (By banging on my door and disturbing my peace or calling out to me in the street for example). I feel responsible when folks come and go though...I have known such a lot of human loss. I know many turn away from the religious fanatics. Some folks just don't want religion, and online it is quite easy for us to just ignore bits, but we aren't seeing the faces on the newcomers and they aren't sticking around long enough to ask them why they don't come back.
I am concerned that newcomers will be (or are being) put off by the religious connotations that exist here. For the newcomer we must remain vigilant. AA is not a religion. Those who choose to wander off into religions are free to do so, however the program of AA is a spiritual one and folks really need to come to their own understanding of that. Free from sidetracks, diversions and controlling influences. It is my interpretation that AA strives to provide that safe place...where each of us can learn to sit in our own skin, experience a group conscience and reach a personal understanding of a power greater than ourselves, while not drinking.
There are folks here who keep saying they can't make a suggestion...or can't determine what constitutes alcoholism, when someone asks for help. The same folks have no problem naming their Gods and quoting passages from religious books... They speak suggestively when it suits them?...
I put this to you and the group, because I think it needs to be said. I too, could just stop coming here and no-one would be any the wiser why I had wandered off. Instead, I will present it...and if the group conscience determines that it is ok for this kind of input to continue, then I will accept that.
I honestly feel that on this medium (online) religiosity is seen as preaching. We are not here to preach, we are here to extend a hand to fellow alkies, who arrive here very empty, scared, confused and vulnerable. If folks feel their religion could benefit others then maybe they could let the person establish themselves as a member of AA and then possibly extend one to one contact if they feel it necessary? It concerns me that the board is appearing hopeless for those who are simply not interested in religion. I myself am ready to turn away, and as you know, I am somewhat limited in my access to meetings, but it is an AA meeting I want, not a church service.
I understand my honesty may offend some. I apologise in advance for any misgivings and trust you will try to understand where I am coming from.
Nic, I'm sorry if I have offended you in anyway, or anyone else . I come from an AA group where we share openly and always state as I have heard in many AA meetings to take what you like and leave the rest. I guess I ASSumed that was true here also.
I will refrain from mentioning the other meetings I attend if that is the group conscience, I would hate to see anyone leave because of my sharing my experience, strength, and hope. I certainly don't want you to leave Nic, and I'm glad you brought this to my attention. I know I'm not the only person you are talking to.
I'm not offended and am grateful you have considered my concerns with an open mind. I realise things may operate differently in different areas of the world, and maybe in some groups/countries it is ok to promote religion? I really wouldn't think so, but I don't know. Where I come from, those who enter into evangalistic recitals are interrupted in the politest possible way and asked to consider the newcomer in terms of (first things) first-aid. Someone would attempt to gently remind them that the AA program is about saving lives, and redirect the speaker to step one.
Over the years, I have seen many Born Again types come and go. Some even stick around. They often arrive in support of an alkie and feel they relate to the rejuvination aspects of our program. No one is rejected from AA. The fellowship accepts everyone who has a desire to stop drinking. The degrees to which people drank can be different though. Those who encourage a fearless and searching moral inventory usually help those who were never really suffering from the disease of alcoholism to work it out and find their place in the larger fellowship and world in general. Most AA's are familiar with the feeling of dragging our sorry butts through the door and facing our worst behaviours. We remember easily the overwhelming fear that choked us when we arrived, and the deep desire to end our own misery. I think most of us also recall the terrifying thought that we may have entered some weird cult or something... I can recognise that look in a person face to face, but I can't see it on here to respond when someone is floundering or fearful. That genuinely concerns me and I'm not angry as I put this forward for consideration. I just feel it needs to be considered. We are existing in a different arena, being online, but we are still dealing with lives.
Thanks for bringing this up. I understand what you're saying, and have not been as vigilant in watching what I say when I post. And you're right. In a f2f meeting people would have been reminded where they are.
However, I also see the personalities of the people when they post the little poems,etc..(BTW I loved the end of the world one!) Perhaps we could keep the main page clear of all that and develop a different one for the general convo. I don't know how to do it, but I'm sure there's some techie out there that might know how. Just a thought.
