I guess I worded it wrong..Atheist?

Question

I didn't say he didn't believe in something...I guess I just wasn't aware or clear about this topic...He is a recovering alcoholic, and when they pray at the end of the meeting he walks out. He gets angry when other talk about God, and it made me curious, sorry if I offended anyone...wasn't what I was trying to do. Just want to hear other talk about it. Sharing experience, strength and hope...that's all.

Answer 1

It probably seems silly to him. When people are looking for clear answers to hard problems praying to God can seem ridiculous, particularly if you are the type of person who wants to be in control of your destiny. Maybe he could turn that into a moment of silent meditation which is a really good thing to do.
Best wishes to your friend. Alcholism is a horrible addiction and a powerful one.

Answer 2

With all due respect, AA (and all other 12 step programs that base themselves on the "Big Book") is nothing more than a cult. It does a disservice to the recovering addict, by teaching them that they are not responsible for their choices and actions (by calling it a disease), and diminishing their strength for over-coming the obstacles they have in their lives (by 'giving it all up to a higher power'). AA has the exact same success rate as quitting cold turkey (5% on average).

The only reason that people 'need' a belief system, is to overcome a weakness in themselves...whatever that weakness may be. Faith is something that must be taught, it is not inherent. If people were raised to have more faith in themselves and their abilities, as well as being shown the consequences of their actions (in the here and now, not 'the after life') we'd be better off as a race.

Maybe your friend has come to the same conclusions. Is his AA attendance voluntary, or is it court-mandated? It's possible that with his experiences in the meetings that he's come to the conclusion that faith and gods are nothing more than crutches or a means to replace one addiction with another. Maybe he has personal issues he's still working through. It's a wide open field, and ultimately, the only person who can answer the question of "why talking about god angers him", is him.

Answer 3

I've heard of many atheists getting angry about the mandatory god portion of AA. I happen to know an atheist alcoholic myself, and he went to a different sort of meetings... Rational Recovery was what he went to, but there is also a group called Save Our Selves, and Smart Recovery.

Here are some websites:
Smart Recovery: http://www.smartrecovery.org/
Rational Recovery: http://www.rational.org/
Secular Organizations for Sobriety / Save Our Selves: http://www.cfiwest.org/sos/index.htm
Women for Sobriety: http://www.womenforsobriety.org/

Answer 4

I don't know why he would be angry or walk out during prayer. If he doesn't agree with the prayer part or feels that others are forcing God on him, he should find another recovery organization. To walk out or get angry merely because other people believe in God is disrespectful and intolerant. I would never belittle another person's faith or prayer.

Answer 5

What your friend is exhibiting isn't Atheism but rather alcoholism.. Knowing the difference can help you help him recover from his alcoholism..

Do some research into recovering from alcoholism and you will learn about his anger and the reasons for it..

Answer 6

Figure it this way - - - eighty percent of every civilization is ignorant of the terms atheist and agnostics. Most Evangelical Crhistians condem anyone who doesn't Worship Jesus as being an Atheist. So no hard feelings on my account.

Pax---------------------

Answer 7

I don't see anything wrong with that. Instead of making a big thing out of having others religion views pushed onto him. I hate when people push their views on me.

Answer 8

Group bonding has be an exclusionary process.

Answer 9

Apology accepted, if indeed you have anything for which to apologize.