I've been sitting back and watching the board for a while.
Seems to be a lot of arguements? Re: AA and Religion
I Am in two minds about this, AA in the UK tries to push people into Christianity, Surely we can help people who don't have a 'god' without the 'turnoff; of excess religion!
I stopped attending AA meetings in the UK for this reason.
I have NO religious beliefs.
I hope I've not offended any one.
I BELIEVE WE ARE HERE TO HELP ALL PEOPLE!
Your comments are valued.
Bye for now.
Chris
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"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989"
When I first started with AA the 'God' element of it scared me to death. I used to go to a church based school when I was a kid and I hated it. But, I stuck at AA as I was desperate to get and stay sober.
I decided to use the phrase 'group of drunks' to be my God. That's still how it is and it's working for me. Perhaps in time things will change. But, I'm comfortable with how I see my God.
I have to say that I haven't felt pushed or pressured into any sort of belief by AA, though. Mind you, being me I would have completely ignored it anyway!
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
So good to see you. Sorry that your meetings PUSH Religeon, when this is a Program, that asks you to find a Higher Power.
Have heard so many people over the years, say that AA was their Higher Power for a long long time, in the first 3 or 4 years, and I have also seen people share that have a whole bunch of time, that say they are still atheists.
This is a Program of how to find a way to Stop Drinking, one day at a time, it is in the working of the 12 Steps.
The 'style' of a particular meeting often depends upon the people who are operating/facilitating the meeting (its homegroup members). If I don't like how things are presented, I go find another meeting, because if I don't go to meetings and be accountable, point blank, I will probably die a drunkard. Just my take.
If I really WANT this, I will go to any lengths to get it, even if that means finding a new meeting where the traditions are upheld to have no affiliation with any religion or outside enterprise/organization.
So my suggestion would be to go 'meeting hunting'. Find a meeting where the traditions regarding religion are upheld.
Have a wonderful sober day and glad to hear from you!!
Carol:Don't think we've met yet, I'm Chris the Alkie, Pleased to know you. The GOD as being the 'Group Of Drunks' thing really is great! This is because it has been HERE where I have got the greatest help, not at a formal AA meeting.
Toni: Sorry about my lack of attendance here, I promise to put more effort in, in the future! Now that I'm sober again I'm feeling much more motivated!
Robert: Hi Rob, ok fair enough, I can see your point. The Big Book containes some great stuff, but I still think that it has the message that without 'GOD' you have no chance. However, the stories of recovery from the early days of AA are VERY impressive.
Phil: Stay away from those turnip trucks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeannie: Can't argue with that! (Been told to say that by the wife!)
Joni: Fair point, but I'm running out of local meetings! The last one I went to was 60 miles away!
Hope everyone here has a good day / week.
Bye for now.
Chris.
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"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989"
Truth of the matter is mate, I dont really know and most people dont, I just know that others seem to be ok and I will do my best, which is very simple, I like buddhism, if you talk to a A.A big wig, he will tell you that you cant find "god" through buddhism, but that is open to interperatation, the fact of the matter is that it really does not matter, just give it a shot, as I say I know the difference between right and wrong and sitting on the floor with a josh stick on and meditating feels good for me, where as to someone else it may sound daft, one of my mates in aa has had a experience in the church and uses that as his higher power, some people use astronomy and others just dont know, it does not matter, you could use a bag of candi floss as your higher power, and as long as that made sense to you then thats ok, heres my take on it, no human power could have relieved you from your alcoholism, (what happens if you relly on a "group of drunks" or a certain person, in my case my dad, they let you down, thats human nature, you relly on this higher power, I cant tell you if its true or false, but I can tell you that it will not let you down, because it cant, nor can it make me look like brad pitt and fit into a pair of 28 waist jeans, but I tend to find the right thought was always there and the process of the book is to get you to cope with life and also to live. the step 11 is very practical for many reasons, I get inspiration whilst practicing it, and not once have I had the desire to do any of the things I feared it would, ie run around in a field naked with tamborines and crosses, no I do things that is closer to who I am , I now make music which is something that I could never do before because of my addiction, I am free to do what the heck I like bu I generally find if I do stuff that I know is true to myself and not maniputaing others I tend to feel good enough not to worry. sorry I am rambling now mate, im gonna hit the sack. Rob
Good stuff from all. I'm new to this forum too. I don't want to start a ruckus but I'm compelled to share my experience about AA and God.
I won’t bore everyone with a drunkalogue….I’d been in and out the doors of AA from 87 to 94….struggled with higher power, I thought it was collective consciousness of the AA group, or the fellowship, ….if that belief leads someone to sobriety that's fine….but it never really worked in the end for me.
The military sent me into alcohol rehab in 1994. ….at one first AA meetings we went to I remember listening to some old guy give me some advice. He said I should get down on my knees that night and ask God to help me. I was humble because I was so tired of spinning my wheels in life…three steps forward, two steps back….I just couldn't get ahead…so I was ready to listen to advice.
That night before I went to bed, I knelt down next to my bed, putting my hands together and spoke something like "Please God help me through this, please help me do something with my life, please take this alcoholism from me"….or something like that. I was seriously asking for help…..and in an instant, I still get goose bumps thinking about it, I felt a peace come over me like I never had before….and God spoke to me, I don't think I heard it with my ears, but I heard it in my head and my heart…God said something like "I've been here all the time, I've been waiting for you to ask" (for help)..and I knew then that God put people and experience in my life because it was part of his plan for me, and he'd been next to me all my life, even though I didn't see…..At that moment I lost all desire to drink alcohol….it left forever, not one time ever again did I have the desire to drink……the Lord took the compulsion away. All I had to do was ask.
It’s only through the grace of God that I can share my story
