Bill was told "Why don't you choose your own conception of God?" The second commandment is "You shall not make for yourself any graven image." I think this clearly is in conflict. Should we tell people to commit a sin in order to be closer to God?
2007-02-11 16:29:58 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
AA tells you that your "Higher Power" can be anything you choose, but it quickly becomes apparent that your God must conform to everyone elses: a micro-managing deity that responds to miracles on demand, does not allow Free Will, and cannot cure alcoholism, only grant a daily reprieve, if and only if you follow the program correctly and you ask for this gift daily.
Once AA starts defining God, what He well and will not do, it is no longer a "spiritual program", but a religion unto itself. And further away from its Christian roots.
AA sprang from the Oxford Group, also called the First Century Christians, a bizarre sect that preached "God-control" in peoples lives and in politics. This led to the founder praising Hitler for having a Christian nation.
AA claims to be compatible with all religions, but that is simply a bait-and-switch, AA is its own religion, and atheists and agnostics are not welcome unless they convert.
2007-02-11 23:37:20 · answer #1 · answered by raysny 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi Christopher S. R. Many people think that Alcoholics Anonymous is teaching a religion, but the truth is AA only wants to help people get sober and stay sober. AA only suggest that you have a 'higher power' they are not teaching a doctrine. The "choose a God of your own understanding" is to keep it non-denominational. If you want to learn about God read the Bible. If you want help staying sober read the Big Book, go to AA meetings.
Yes AA is a spiritual program, but You will not find salvation going to AA meetings or working the 12 Steps. Hopefully you will find a way to stay sober 24 hours at a time.
2007-02-12 00:52:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some people do not hold a traditional view of God. Yet they are alcoholics and steps need to be taken to save them from a horrible affliction. If atheists or agnostics were denied entrance into AA based solely on their view of a divine being, that in of itself would be inhumane and not very religious.
No one who enters a hospital sponsored by Catholics, Lutherans, Jews, 7th Day Adventists and the like -- for any physical or psychological ailment -- is turned away simply because their belief in God does not match exactly that of the sponsors. In that same light, why should someone be turned away from AA simply because their view of a divine being is different from most people?
2007-02-12 00:48:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ooooh, dangerous. Encouraging someone to break a commandment, and worship another god than the one true God, is a serious sin.
2007-02-12 00:33:07 · answer #4 · answered by Esther 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Huh? "...to be closer to God"?
They may "feel" closer to a god of their own making. But such a god does not exist. It cannot bring one closer to the one and only and true God, the creator of the universe.
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23)
2007-02-12 00:39:16 · answer #5 · answered by tj 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋