Religion and recovery. Is anyone else struggling with the fact

Yes. I am not religious. I work a 12 step program. My higher power is knowledge that I’m not the center of the universe. I’m not in control of tomorrow but it’s going to happen anyways. So that means there’s something greater than me out there. Science? Time, gravity, faith, love? All greater than me.

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Agreed, the universe is everyone’s HP wether they like it or not

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Exactly :raised_hands:

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I agree with alot of what people are saying on here.

Two things I'd like to bring up are

  1. The program of AA (12 steps) is for the most hopeless of alcoholics who have LITERALLY tried everything. The book invites you to seek alternatives methods and even to try controlled drinking in way of convincing yourself that you are powerless. More power to you. Find a softer easier way of things if you can, nothing but respect.

  2. AA being religious isn't true. You can be religious in AA, but you do not have to be religious to be in AA, there's a big difference. The Big Book does an excellent job at making sure ALL concepts of god/higher power/creative intelligence were valid in turning your will and your life over to. It's your own concept, so whatever you want, whatever gets you to work the solution (4-9) It's a spiritual program, spirituality is not religion, BUT religion can be spiritual, there's a difference.

Get sober however you can, AA is the last resort for those of the hopeless variety.

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Find what works for you. It’s your sobriety, not anyone else’s. Believe that there’s something out there that’s in control when you are not. It why we, as addicts, got to where we did. Fought life when we weren’t on life’s terms. Do you and don’t pay attention to others. If you don’t like a meeting or a group because of said religious beliefs, it’s not gonna work for you. Find a new one to work or go to.

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My short reply is, recovery is a spritual program based on spiritual principles. It's not based on a religion or religious principles. The word "God" seems to block a lot of us in early recovery or in recovery period. There is AA secular that does not use the word "God" in the steps or you can simply replace the word God with whatever you like.

For the most part pride and ego keeps us in our active addiction/alcoholism.

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I haven’t I should I will

I know it’s so hard to trust religion when we have gone to the places that we have been. I just reached out for something bigger than me. I admit I’m not the end all be all! It has taken me on quite a journey. I have searched the universe. So many things greater than I am. I am spiritual. I am NOT religious. So just give it a try. You don’t have to believe in God or what have you. Just reach out and trust that there is a being that is greater than you and that being will help you on your journey.

I don't believe in any god of any kind. Most of the time I can't stand listening to people yammer on about their "relationship with their higher power" but I am working the AA program and it is working for me. The PEOPLE in AA, no god, none of that stuff, the people make the difference, regardless of their beliefs.

This is a good resource:. "Home | Secular Members of Alcoholics Anonymous" https://aasecular.org

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Exactly that’s what I’m very interested in. The science behind it all. I’m more of a hands on person who loves learning new things especially about the way our brain works

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