Can't say as I've heard of any specifically athiest AA groups. However, I've known some AA members who have made "there is no God" as their religion of choice.
You will find a lot of folks who refer directly to God, in AA, and others who simply believe in a power or force behind the universe. Others will say they do not believe, and therefore consider their AA group as that "touchstone" higher power.
Being able to have that higher power to rely on is crucial to success. I am one who believes there is a spirit force behind all existance, not easily pigeon-holed into any one religion. Gotta admit, it is much easier to have a "God as I understand" when I need to turn things over to a higher power and no one in the group is available.
On the other hand, I will not attempt to convert you to my way of thinking, as that isn't what the AA experience is about. Nor will I condemn your beliefs. I will only offer you encouragement to stay sober, one day at a time.
Howdy Des. Good to have you here--and I dont know of any in my area either. I do have a few AA freinds that are athiests, and its like Dan says-to each their own. Im not into religion, but am spiritual-so thats my thing, and some are into religion, and thats their thing. Being an athiest is yours. Whatever works for the individual. We take what we need to for us, and leave the rest--and give what we can back.
Hope you stick around the board and share with us--weve got recovering people here, from all walks of life, and all over the planet--and I dont know about the rest of them(well-I really do-but I cant say-hahaha) Im here-- cause Im not all there:) We are sober-and thats the biggy.
All the best to yu eh? One day at a time. Phil
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
It's recommended that you find a power greater than yourself, however, some people use their home groups as a higher power....You don't need to find a special group, they'll take you as you are, you only need a desire to stop drinking.
Doll
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* We eventually realize that just as the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, emotional turmoil comes before serenity. *
for me the PROGRAM// 12 steps was my higher power , till i kinda decided to go back to my amer. indian roots, and i found the great spirit of the universe.....i also have my *Christ within*........i think for me??? i looked WITHIN me for my HP.....found it and i just go from there....whatever works!!! whatever keeps you sober, physically and emotionally.......we just do what works best for us...........the most freeing part of this program was the part in the big book that says "God of my understanding" or does it say "higher power as we understand it???" eeeeks i read so many of the books, but you know what i mean its the "AS I UNDERSTAND IT" not even a gender......like i cannot grasp a *father* type God because i was abused by my father...so that just triggers me , the thought of a gender God.....i think of the Gr. Spirit as pure spirit.....no gender.......i call it most the "source".......thats my take....please take what works....leave the rest......
I think perhaps i may have been a little mis-understood. I don't have any problem with a higher power, even though at first it sounded a bit on the 'cultish' side. I'm on step 4 so i understand the first 3 steps i accept them and i am aware of them in my day and that is why i am sober today; although i am still in my AA infancy ( 19mnths sober ) I just wanted to know if there were any members out there who had formed an on line group of atheists as there are groups of catholics, doctors, lawyers etc. It's no big deal. This is my first computer and my first venture into this form of communication and i am finding it fascinating just got to find out where my spell checker is. Just one last shot at this:- Are there any atheist out there? Thanks for the replies, most of my aa friends have a strong faith in God and they are great for me to practice my tolerance levels on
Bye for now and good luck to you all my brothers and sisters in this fabulous fellowship of ours !! Des
