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I mean empathy rather than simply signs of sympathy.

2007-05-17 14:04:48 · 10 answers · asked by MrsOcultyThomas 6 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

(Of course, I meant when they are sober.)

2007-05-17 14:11:18 · update #1

10 answers

as a recovering alcoholic, i think it's simply life experience. that makes us more understanding. we have done, lived it , survived it. and we try not to pass judgment. and learned how to deal with it in a healthy way. by one day at a time.

2007-05-17 14:14:55 · answer #1 · answered by richfraga 7 · 3 0

I think each has their own understanding of God (God as we understand Him - steps 3 & 11) so they are taught to be tolerant and accepting of others in AA. This then becomes part of thinking toward all people in a step program or not.

Also, many are deists or agnostic and do not claim to know it all or have a religious agenda.

Many have been down the pathways of thinking about God others have and are understanding of what these mean without judging whether it is right or wrong.

It works for them and that's OK with the recovering alcoholic too.

2007-05-17 16:47:32 · answer #2 · answered by cordsoforion 5 · 1 0

I'm not an alcoholic, but I'm a little afraid of alcohol because I realize how easily I could be. Too much in my past to run from.

There are some people who cling to religion to white wash them. They have inner turmoil they don't want to face, so they pour everything they have into making sure they have perfect external behavior - even when their internal world is tearing them apart. They become stoic and intolerant of people who admit weakness or need.

I think alcoholics drink because they're highly aware of their own internal struggles - and often of the hidden emotions of others. They drink to numb the pain because they're not as good at lying about it as their stoic counterparts.

I don't believe that all religious people are stoics, but if you meet a Christian who doesn't have any problems or temptations and they've never made a mistake, that's a red flag, to me. They've either lived a charmed life unmarked by tragedy, or they've worked really hard to pretend it didn't happen.

I think religious people are also afraid for anyone to know they struggle because they're afraid of being judged for it. Non-religious alcoholics don't really have that stigma to worry about.

2007-05-17 16:53:23 · answer #3 · answered by Contemplative Chanteuse IDK TIRH 7 · 2 1

Alcoholics tend to be very sensitive to their environment - they notice an awful lot of what goes on - and they have vivid imaginations. That's half the reason why they drink - they are outraged by small injustices, they know what its like to have an imagined love affair with the cashier who smirked at a joke, they can be consumed by fear, jealousy, loathing passion, rage, self-pity, ambition, and greed - sometimes in the time that it takes the traffic light to change.

They are just like every other human, only more so. Which is why it is so difficult for them at times. They know what its like to suffer through ones feelings.

There is a wonderful book called "the spirituality of imperfection" - which was intended for alcoholics, but that I recommend to everyone I know (most folks would simply skip the first five chapters). A buddy of mine who is a monk told me about it - I have loved it since. Its non-discimplinary, and related to topics like Pride, Humility, Forgiveness, Service, etc. Based on a few of the questions you have posted I think you would like it.

Be well - Peace

2007-05-17 15:34:25 · answer #4 · answered by freshbliss 6 · 1 1

I really couldn't say,but I really think the comparison is a wee bit strange.I am a follower of Jesus and I don't have a religion per say.I'm non-denominational and I really think that RELIGION is not the point.If you live your life according to what Jesus taught then religion doesn't figure in.The two greatest commandments He said was to love the Lord thy God with all your heart soul and mind and to love thy neighbor as thy self.If we follow these then there will be peace in our lives and the world will be a better place.

2007-05-17 15:12:07 · answer #5 · answered by flossie mae 5 · 1 0

Both alcoholism and religiosity can stem from feelings of inadequacy. Many (not all) of the religiously fixated haven't hit rock bottom. Another potion (but not the entire remainder) hit rock bottom and have a substitute addiction.

2007-05-17 14:23:24 · answer #6 · answered by novangelis 7 · 1 2

competence is in the mind of the observer. two drunk people will obviously think on the same level.

and empathy isn't always something that's easy to show. you may be able to 'feel' what someone else is feeling, but you may not like those feelings or revisiting the subject of where those feelings first arrived. people are complex and don't get over things all that easily.

2007-05-17 14:09:45 · answer #7 · answered by Hey, Ray 6 · 0 3

Alchohol warps the brain considerably.
But that's nothing to religion. They're mad as hatters!
Keep away from people who think they know the answers. They are absolutely wrong.

2007-05-17 14:10:57 · answer #8 · answered by Miltant_Agnostic 2 · 2 2

I think, primarily, because they're not selling anything.

They also know a LOT more good songs!

2007-05-17 14:07:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2 1

Know alot of drinkers..do ya?

2007-05-17 14:07:52 · answer #10 · answered by Eartha Q 6 · 1 2

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