I am biased myself, I've been a friend of Bill for 22 years and through a program of recovery I've found a way of life that I never dreamed possible. I am forever grateful to God and my program for resurrecting me from the pits of addictive/alcoholic hell. If you haven't walked a "foot" (forget a mile) in my shoes, you know not what I speak of. I've been to hell and don't want to go back, today.
God Bless
Peace and Love
2006-08-30 05:39:33 · 7 answers · asked by digilook 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Great testimony!
God bless.
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2006-08-30 14:35:13 · answer #1 · answered by Pashur 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
AA evolved out of the Oxford group, a Christian cult, so of course it has Christian principles at it core, but much of it is perplexing.
Why is it that God can't CURE an alcoholic, only grant him a daily reprieve? The God I was brought up with could raise the dead, I would think that might be a little more troublesome than curing an alcoholic. And since when does God perform miracles on demand? I thought God granted us free will in order that we take control of our lives, not claim we are powerless and beg Him to fix us. And God being whatever you want Him to be is just blasphemy. (Of course as you continue in AA, your "Higher Power" turns out to be the same God as everyone else.)
Faith can be a powerful tool in overcoming addiction, but it's not a requirement. The folks in AA told me I'd never get sober unless I found God, in fact, their words were that I was "going to die drunk in a gutter"; I don't find that very spiritual. And they were wrong, I've been sober for 5 years and my life too is better than I ever dreamed possible. I think that a better life has more to do with quitting drinking that joining some quasi-religion.
If you want spiritual beliefs, join a church.
2006-08-30 09:36:39 · answer #2 · answered by raysny 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know that many groups try not to endorse a particular religion during meetings, but they do acknowledge a 'higher power' who can provide spiritual comfort for recovering addicts. More than a few recovering addicts cite problems with organized religion as part of their emotional baggage.
I am not an addict myself, but I used to work in a 'dry club' near Akron years ago. I met a lot of young NA and AA members who were attracted to alternative religions such as Wicca or Satanism. If they were Christian at all, it was usually Unitarian Universalist. A lot of the recovering addicts I spoke with had very strong interests in living a spiritual lifestyle, even if it wasn't a mainstream religious thing. They needed to believe in something bigger than themselves in order to fight the temptations of their former world.
I'm very glad the program worked for you and you're on your way to recovery. Try not to get too caught up in these 'believer/non-believer' debates at Yahoo answers. You're following a good path, so stay on it.
2006-08-30 05:58:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they are.
I mean, God is mentioned in seven of the twelve steps.
There is a spiritual principle associated with each of the twelve steps and the twelve traditions. I don't know the ones for the traditions offhand, but the ones for the steps are:
1) Honesty
2) Hope
3) Faith
4) Courage
5) Integrity
6) Willingness
7) Humility
8) Brotherly Love
9) Justice
10) Perseverance
11) Spirituality
12) Service
These are what it's referring to when it says "practice these principles in all our affairs."
I'm a friend of Bill too. ;-)
2006-08-30 06:05:19 · answer #4 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not based on Spiritual principles, but based upon the notion that humans are weak minded individuals that need a coping mechanism such as the beleif in God.
Im glad that youre no longer an addict. Good for you. Too bad you couldnt look inside yourself for a reason to quit, such as for health reasons, or for other reasons such as the fact that youre hurting others with your actions. These are true reasons for quiting - not beleif in God.
2006-08-30 05:43:40 · answer #5 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No, they include the belief that God as you understand Him will give you the strength, along with the strength of others who desire to kick habits that control their lives. I have studied Bill, but am one of the lucky ones who has been able to quit on my own. I know this is a rare thing, but you must want something bad enough to do it or it will never happen, with or without help.
2006-08-30 05:49:13 · answer #6 · answered by Jimbo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was gonna reply until I read YDoncha_Blow's answer. Not much more need be said.
2006-08-30 05:45:37 · answer #7 · answered by bonzo the tap dancing chimp 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋