2007-01-14 04:41:11 · 11 answers · asked by 6th Finger 2 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
AA follows the theory of a "higher power", not "God".
If you believe YOU are the highest power, then you will probably not be successful with AA.
2007-01-14 04:50:32 · answer #1 · answered by T G 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Big Book, which is the main reading material of Alcoholics Anonymous has a chapter that addresses agnostics and atheists and explains how they need to work the program. AA stresses a higher power of the individuals choice. This can be your group that you join, or anything in fact that helps you from picking up a drink. This is not based on God but how the person chooses to work the program. Go to a few open meetings buy a Big Book and find someone in the program with some good sobriety then you will be able to take care of the other problem. I wish you luck this is probably the most courageous decision you could make.
2007-01-14 04:48:21 · answer #2 · answered by Elle M 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
All you need to believe in is a higher power of some sort.
I really don't think that particular program works at all for people who do not belief.
I hope that has not offended anyone who is atheist, or rather keep an open mind.
My own beliefs are, that's where the alchoholism came from. Not addressing in some way the issue of spirituality.
The Christians call that a "God shaped hole", that you're almost forced to fill with something, if belief in a higher power is not there.
It's funny. There is a song that is making me think of. "There's a hole in Daddy's arm where all the money goes". Not exactly the kind of hole they are talking about, but fits the picture well enough.
Maybe just "trying out belief" would work? But that means giving it you're best shot for a time. Really full out free falling into Trust with a capital T.
If it doesn't work for you, what will have been the harm in tryin' now?
2007-01-14 04:55:09 · answer #3 · answered by smoothsoullady 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. It asks that you believe and accept a higher power. Who or what the higher power is up for you to define. When i went through the 12 steps, others in my meeting had Wicca beliefs, and other decided that higher power was just some universal entity but not the christian God.
2007-01-14 04:54:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The correct term is "Higher Power" and that can differ for each person. For some the group is their Higher Power (HP), their sponsor, their own set of values, nature, etc. The issue is spirituality not religon.
Spirituality is that we realize we are part of something larger ... we are not the center of our own universe. Religion is how we choose to express our spirituality.
2007-01-14 17:06:42 · answer #5 · answered by morahastits 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a member of alcoholics anonymous, you will know that they never mention "God".
They only believe in a "higher power"
2007-01-14 06:05:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Elle is right about the "higher power part." But note this: "alcohol" is mentioned in only **two** of the steps!
AA grew out of a California Protestant sect. It is largely defunct as such, but their aim was to get members. Notice how many times this "higher power" is referenced.
I wish you well.
2007-01-14 04:57:09 · answer #7 · answered by ThePole 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I as quickly as joined a Buddhist sangha that selection into chock packed with AA members. those human beings reported that they desperate to alter into Buddhists to conform with their 12-step application w/o having to "have faith in" "God." satirically, as Buddhists "atheists," they have been all freaked out approximately death with greater "demerits" than "reward" on their non secular scorecard and ending up in a fire&brimstone hell realm. to assert the least, i did not stay a Buddhist for extremely long.
2016-10-19 23:27:00 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they say in AA you dont have to believe in god, i met a lot of people in AA that didnt believe in god, they chose whoever they wanted to believe in like say, for example a a grandmother that passed away, or a spirit guide, or whatever, its your choice, nobody is there to tell you who you should believe in.
2007-01-14 04:53:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course you can.
2007-01-14 07:12:58 · answer #10 · answered by jasdlkdfhd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋