If alcoholics anonymous says to find a Higher Power In a God as you"understand Him"?

Question

then why atthe end of meetings do they always pray the Lords Prayer? You know the"our Father who art in heaven"
because this is a New testament prayer and there might be muslims, Jews, agnostics or hindus attending meetings so would this not be offensive to them? I' m just sayin'....

i did not say I was offended i was curious because it might offend people of other beliefs

d and g- i did not say i did not want to pray the prayer, I do not mind praying the prayer at all, I just wa curious as to other peoples beliefs how they felt about this

Answer 1

Because AA is based primarily upon the dogma of the Oxford Group, a quasi-Christian evangelical movement of the 1930's of which both of AA's founders were members. There ARE non-Christian members of AA (me included) who do consider the practice exclusionary and insensitive, but we are always disregarded by "group conscience" of the Christian-based majority who think their religion couldn't possibly offend minority members. So it goes.

Answer 2

Many AA members consider

The Lord's Prayer
The Serenity Prayer
and
The Saint Francis of Assisi Prayer

to be spititual prayers regardless of the obvious Christian origin

I suggest (for now) to examine the ideas in the prayers and not the origin. This will help keep a person sober not knowledge of origin.

Some good read about The Lord'd Prayer can be found as part of Emmett Fox's "Sermon on the Mount". The prayer is discussed on a few pages in the back of this book.

When AA was new there was no treatment centers as there are today and no books or sponsors or anything, the guys that started AA relied heavily on the bible - and look - isn't it fantastic how many people are alive as a result of these people getting together and trying "something"?

By the way Bill W. was a deist or at least "mostly" or sometimes! http://www.aroundthetables.com/ViewPage.php?pageID=623

Answer 3

You are correct in noticing this conflict, and in fact there are many AA groups where the Lord's Prayer is not said at the end of meetings for this very reason (European groups, for example, rarely say it). Usually these groups say the Serenity Prayer instead. Also, very often at the groups I attend where the Lord's Prayer is said, many people simply stand silently and say nothing; or change the words to what they feel comfortable with.

I am not personally a fan of the Lord's Prayer, but it doesn't bother me enough to make a big deal about it. AA saved my life and I love it, even with all its "warts".

Answer 4

Here's the thing: People who go to AA have more pressing problems than the prayer they say at the end of meetings. Another point is that all meetings don't end with the Lord's prayer.

Those who do not wish to pray are not compelled to pray, they may sit out, if they like and no one thinks any the less of them.

The "Higher Power" has been variously described as the collective experience of the group, the stories told by older members, God, a "Group Of Drunks" and many other things.

Anyone who chooses to be offended is welcome to be offended, as long as they don't pick up the first drink.

The most important thing one can do in AA is stay sober, and help another alcoholic do the same.

Answer 5

Good question. I'd always thought it was for this reason :

AA was started back in the 1930's by a couple of WASP guys. Hence "The Lord's Prayer" at the end - most, if not all, of the early AA members were some form of Christian. Not for reasons of exclusivity, but just 'coz that's who happened to show up in the early days.

Over the years, any changes to the program of The Program were usually met with outcries of trepidation, if not fear - fear of diluting the original program. Not out of prejudice or intolerance for other religions - it will always be "a loving God as you understand. .."etc. I think the idea is to stick to the original format of those long-ago original meetings as much as possible.

I'm not a Christian, but if I'm moved to say the Lord's Prayer at the end, I will. I am free to apply whatever interpretation to that prayer that suits me. The only requirement for 'membership' is a desire to stop drinking.

Answer 6

In other countries they say other prayers or they say no prayer at all. It is more to do with the fact that AA will reflect the majority of the culture of the place it is at. It did start as a christian movement but broke away to include all alcoholics.

They say that one here because that is what has always been said and the words have reflections on the practice of the steps particulary Forgive to be forgiven.
Each Group is complety autonymous. Each groups can do what it pleases say a prayer not say a prayer. It is up to each group and every person in that group has a say
If you feel strongly bring it up with the group or find a group that better suits you OR your can even start your own group.
Athiests have no problem in AA GOD can be G OOD O rderly D irection
People who stay and see the spirit of AA and its all inclusivness have no problem. If a person is looking for a reason to leave they will find another eventualy someone else will piss them off for some other reason. Then its a excuse to drink.
Read the 12 traditions of AA
AA because it is complety democratic with no central authority to make rule because each group is autonomous it will reflect society it is in.

Answer 7

The original phrase of "the God of our understanding" came from the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Dr. Bob and Bill W. If you will read the Big Book, you will understand that the only God of their understanding was Jesus Christ. The phrase was lifted OUT of the literature and became a phrase unto itself and it now meaningless.
Their recovery was NOT based upon the 12 Steps of the program, but the Steps after having their spiritual experience in step three with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Typically, the world has now decided that the "steps" themselves ARE the recovery process and leave Jesus Christ out of the equation. It don't work. It is the power of God through Jesus that made the 12 Steps work in the first place. It's not the procedure, but the supernatural power or God that brings recovery.
My husband is a perfect example of it. Read the original literature from the founders and you will verify what I am telling you.
That is why at the end of the meeting, the Lord's prayer is said. So sad that so many of the recovering people don't even know this history. You can make the rule as you see fit, but you can't truly call it A. A. if you do.

Answer 8

I know that we say our program is based on spiritual beliefs and not religious one, but if you read AA comes of Age, you can clearly see that this tradition is one that has been part of the AA program for quite a long time. And why do people feel the need to change things that have worked for so many years. I realize that many people who attend AA meetings are not Christian, I welcome them with open arms, any and all religions, I don't force anyone to say the Lords Prayer at the end of a meeting and nor do I force them to sit there, nor does anyone force me to recite this prayer or sit in a meeting....Have we forgotten why we are here???? To stay sober!! Are we willing to go to any lengths to stay sober? I am and quite honestly, I don't care if we say the Lords Prayer, the Serenity Prayer or any other prayer at the end of the meeting, but I will say this, people need to stop taking things so friggin literal. We can pick apart anything we want to but it all comes down to denial and not wanting to do things they way they are laid out. It works if we work it. We mention God in 5 of the 12 steps, we mention God in our Traditions, God is in the Big Book hundreds, maybe even thousands of times, God is in the Serenity prayer. Is it your God, My God, His god, Her God...We can argue this to death but it is God of our own understanding and if you don't want to pray...DON'T! I will not be offended and I highly doubt that anyone else will....These are only suggestions my friend, not rules. While you're at it you might want to forget step 11 if it makes your recovery easier...After all , why should you have to stop and pray or meditate to seek a conscious contact with God? It's your life and if you think that you can live on 11 Step instead of 12...More power to you

Answer 9

Muslims and Jews believe in God the Father. Hindus have thousands of gods so what's one more. The only one I would see offended is the agnostics and he would just have to go along with the majority.

Answer 10

I've actually never heard of AA meetings ending with the Lord's Prayer. I've heard them use the serenity prayer, but not the Lord's Prayer.