at my home group last week, a topic was brought up for a group conscience vote from the ny office. They were considering making a new pamphlet discussing the differences between religion and spirituality--something I saw as a hot topic for newcomers (during my time in treatment). My group thought it was overkill, as it's discussed at length in the big book. But I always saw the pamphlets as resources for new folks who see the big book as being too daunting--some quick info about specific topics. What do you guys think? Is there merit in something like this, or is it already discussed at length in meetings, etc (after all, we all found a spiritual path without the pamphlet).
This is the first I've heard about it,, so I don't know yet. To me it kind of depends. The Big Book was written before the 60's, and a lot of things have happened in our culture regarding the subject of religion/spirituality. We are much more diverse, and there is even a lot of anti-Christian stuff going on.
I wonder if they are going to try to change their position to try to accomodate the growing number of people who are atheist, or agnostic, or who have beliefs that don't fit our 'loving God' concept, or whether they are going to synthesize already existing material,, from the sources you mention,, while staying with the original principles.
interesting,,, maybe I'll give them a call,
amanda
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
I do think it is a rather "hot topic" it always has been, and anything that might help a new person is worthwhile, in my opinion.
With some time in the Program, I have learned to honor and respect any and all personal beliefs that we have. I have discovered too, that any Religious Beliefs, are more or less left out of discussions, because they could inflame any contradictory Religious Beliefs. A Higher Power of our Understanding is so "right on" from my prospective. And you are right, the Book does go into great detail about the subject.
But for any new person that is "Overwhelmed" by all that can get tossed at them, overlooking the "Easy Does It" that is designed for all of us, but my personal belief is that it is aimed at the New Person, the most important person at any meeting.
So, I guess my vote would be a Yes. Simple reason, anything that can assist a new person, in a simple to read format can only be a good thing, thats just my little opinion here. We come in detoxing from Alcohol, and can be somewhat dazed and confused with all of the literature. For me, reading the first 164 pages of the Book of AA, working diligently on Step One. That is not too complicated, to my mind.
So thanks for the Topic, I think it is a good one, and I have not seen you here before, so WELCOME. Looking forward to more communications. This is a Spiritual Program - Simple!
Glad you're back Greg, I think a new pamplet would be okay as long as it is just a quick version of what is already stated in the Big Book. AA never endorses any religion as far as I know. Higher Power is left up to me...mine is God.
I am not a human being trying to be spiritual, I am a spiritual being trying to be human.
This is were it is so vital for us to become involved in service work...GR and higher so we can be a part of these decisions...to protect the AA way.
That seems a good idea, along with the above in mind, and that all the 12 steps are said to be 'suggestions'. I remember grabbing handfuls of pamphlets to read later, after the meetings and talks. I would read them to try and convince myself that this AA thing was something I could do. I didn't really get the 'spiritual angle', for several years. I tend to take it for granted that the new person will get it. -paul
As a relatively new person to AA (I've been going since early January), I can tell you it might have helped me to have such a pamphlet. The difference between religion and spirituality is important, and I didn't get it until I got inside AA. Until then (and it took some urging from counselors for me to get to AA after being in therapy since September 2005) I had some preconceived idea that AA was religious, and though I have been a regular church-goer all my life, I didn't really like that notion. I felt "I go to church, why would I need to go to AA if it's all about religion?" I had other ideas about AA which made it seem unattractive to me, but I felt I had all the religion-and spirituality-I needed. I was so wrong! The difference between religion and spirituality was never clear to me, and I now see it clearly-AA is NOT religious, but extremely spiritual! And it's been such a blessing for me! But if a pamphlet which made me see what AA was about had been given to me before I attended, I might have come sooner and been ready for what I found. I think the new pamphlet is a great idea!
