Why do 12 step programs ask you to find God?

Question

I heard that part of any 12 step program ask the individual to have God help them through their ordeal. What if the person doesn't believe in God?

Answer 1

It's not necessarily God, it is at least a higher power, because they need to believe in something bigger than themselves to help them.

If they don't believe in any higher power, they will be stuck in their pit of despair with no one/thing/God to reach for to help pull them out.

That's what sponsors are for.

Answer 2

Addiction is a biochemical process impacted by behavioral changes. While belief in a supernatural being, such as a god, is highly irrational, there are those whose commitment to sobriety is shored up by clinging to such a "cosmic blankey."

Nonetheless, the recovery rates claimed by most 12 step groups are greatly exaggerated and lack sufficient documentation to be proven credible. The simple fact is surrendering control of your life to some mythical "higher power" isn't really all that different than surrendering your life to crack or heroin. If the 12 steps work at all, it's only because they substitute one addiction for another... in this case, an addiction to an irrational belief.

A closer examination of the 12 step movement, including beliefs, organization, and practices, will most likely reveal disturbing, almost cult-like qualities.

Answer 3

Twelve Steps groups as such will ask you to find a Higher Power. In theory, this could be golf, your sock drawer, or the Rugrats. Most people in these programs do, however, end up embracing part or all of one of the major world religions, usually Christianity in the U.S.

No twelve step program will prescribe a higher power for you, unless it happens to be sponsored by a specific religion or denomination. This is still too much for many agnostics and atheists though, so they've started recovery groups that are explicitly nonreligious. Here's a site to start with if you're looking:

http://www.secularrecovery.com/

Answer 4

That is a common fallacy. 12 step programs never use the word "God". The concept for recovery is that each person admit that a power greater than themselves exists. While for many people, this may be a god figure, for many people it is not. It may be nature, the force of good, the power of human beings, whatever each person decides on. When people in addiction maintain the belief that they can "beat it themselves", it often leads to failure. Acknowledging that there are powers greater than any individual allows the person in recovery to have a sense of humility, and synergy with this higher power.

Answer 5

I've chaired quite a few meetings in my day and you are mistaken my friend when you ask why the program ask's you to find "God". I believe the phrase is to seek God OR a higher power. Secondly, if you are so transfixed on a small phrase out of a 12 step program, than perhaps you have no desire to quit abusing alchol/drugs?

Answer 6

My understanding is that it is a way to help people find some kind of spirituality which has been proven to have healing benefits. The God from the 12 step program is a somewhat broad term to encourage the participants to seek out their own "god".

Christians believe in the Truth. Belief and faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to God and the key to eternal life.

Answer 7

They use the term "Higher Power" Its basically something that has a Power over you. Many will choose some spiritual power. The default for atheist in these programs is the group itself. It does not have to be "god". The literature clearly states a "higher power."

Step 2 of AA:
"Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity"

Answer 8

Its perspective. You are potentially seeking the help of someone/something/The Big G to get you through the steps necessary for health and your addiction. You need to be repentent for the things that you have done...just sorry, and many find that the different ideas/concepts that are taught within religion is very helpful. Also, it is a group effort...you are together in your 'beliefs' even if they are a little different (since, really, everyone's idea of the Big G are different.)

Answer 9

Because anyone who is completely honest with themselves can see that there are just some things in life that we are incapable of accomplishing alone. But a higher power (which is I believe how they phrase it) can help you get through. I know that I would never have left my addictions without God. I tried for a long time on my own. It didn't work until I asked for God's help.

Answer 10

Many atheist members of AA consider the higher power to be 'Good Orderly Direction'... G.O.D. G.O.D. can exist just in the fact they reach out for the doorknob to the building.

AA unfortunately is a culture of victimization and illness. It doesn't teach you how to become whole again, it teaches you that you are permanently and forever damaged, that you are powerless to stop alcohol if you are ever to taste even so much as a drop of it.

It's no wonder that AA's relapse rates are huge while programs that teach moderation and conscious choice have practically no relapse rate.

Answer 11

I once joined a Buddhist sangha that was chock full of AA members. These folks said that they decided to become Buddhists to comply with their 12-step program w/o having to "believe in" "God." Ironically, as Buddhists "atheists," they were all freaked out about dying with more "demerits" than "merits" on their spiritual scorecard and ending up in a fire&brimstone hell realm. To say the least, I didn't stay a Buddhist for very long.