When a court sentences a person to AA, doesn't that violate the separation of church and state doctrine? AA uses religion in its program. They start and end meetings with prayer.
2007-04-16 09:49:45 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The courts are not sentencing you to saying a prayer, they're sentencing you to get help. You have the right to refuse to say the prayer and they would have to respect that right, however you do not have the right to refuse to go to the meetings.
2007-04-16 09:54:56 · answer #1 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
AA is not a religious group and frankly, the court cannot legally sentence anyone to attend AA. I know they do it frequently and no one challenges it because it's a better solution than jail. AA started as a Christian group but is now in more than 120 countries of all faiths. The do not insist that you believe in God to attend AA. In fact, the "Big Book" of AA has a chapter titled "For the Agnostic." Participating in the prayer is optional. Separation of church and state is a widely misunderstood provision of the Constitution. That clause in the Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...." and then addresses freedom of speech and the press and other matters. The 1st amendment is addressed to acts of Congress, not the courts. In fact, Congress opens its sessions with a prayer.
2007-04-16 10:02:59 · answer #2 · answered by David M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't sound like you people have been to AA meetings, they are extremely God-oriented (they make it OK by saying your higher power, but that is like calling a shoe a sneaker). If I'm an aetheist I probably don't believe in a higher power other than natural law. Yes it is a violation if they deem it has to be AA, but good luck seeing anyone pro-drug war to admit that. More often they use rehab and education classes, while refering AA less and less, for that specific reason among others. They do still occasionally, in places, send you to education and refer mandatory meetings, but they almost always give you the option of where to go for the meeting. So it would make it your choice if, say, AA is the only one in the area and you went. You go to court, they tell you go to a meeting and don't get kicked out. But if you don't accept you are controlled by a Higher Power, then you can't move on to the next step. If you don't complete the steps your sponsor will not endorse your cooperation to the court. leading down a path that forces you to admit something you don't believe is true. Less and less aetheists are willingly going to AA meetings. Although I have not been to an AA or NA meeting in a couple of years, as I grew up my parents were druggies, So I spent a good portion of my life eating their doughnuts every night at 8:00. And if anyone can say that they don't promote God, how can you explain them passing out prayer books, saying them, telling people to find their strength in the bible.
2007-04-16 10:22:32 · answer #3 · answered by ThaiGold 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nope, it doesn't violate anything. You have been deemed unable to handle the problem yourself. AA is a nationally recognized organization. The judge has every right to 'sentence' you to AA meetings whether they begin/end with a prayer or not. The program WORKS, that's why it is used.
2007-04-16 09:58:39 · answer #4 · answered by Enchanted 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This has nothing to do with church and state. The Serenity Prayer does not mention th word God or religion.' Higher power' is used in AA and Al-Anon, neither of which is a church. The judge could've sentenced the person to jail where
God's name is often invoked.
2007-04-16 10:01:09 · answer #5 · answered by beez 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My guess is that a court sentences the person to seek alcohol and substance abuse treatment as a condition of probation. I would guess that you can require a non-religious option. If one is not available, you may have a little bit of a First Amendment claim, although because AA is nonsectarian (just has vague references to religion, and no specific religion) you've got an uphill battle -- especially because you're an adult and not compelled to pray (just have to be there).
2007-04-16 10:02:10 · answer #6 · answered by Perdendosi 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are an atheist or just don't want to be subjected to God in your rehabilitation, tell the judge. There are non religious programs out there. Look in your phone book find one and tell the judge you'd prefer this program and why. He will let you attend those meetings. They are the same as AA meetings just without the references to God.
2007-04-16 10:11:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the sake of your life and others- just give it a try with an open mind. Just go in with an open mind, it can be the most safe, loving, least judgemental place you'll ever be find or an hour of hell, depening on the mentality that you go in with.
Personall, I know that I really wanted to be there, but knowing that I was mandated at first made me revel and go in with a hateful attitude. So instead I secretly liked it and kept going back. It's anonymous so noone will ever know.
2007-04-18 17:09:02 · answer #8 · answered by looca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u can be an atheist and still go to AA....they believe in a "higher power" which could be God or your teddy bear or anything else that helps you get thru the day.
2007-04-16 09:55:07 · answer #9 · answered by njyogibear 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're not forced to pray or believe in God. There are plenty of atheists in AA.
2007-04-16 09:54:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋