So I saw another post today and it was based around people not wanting to go to AA because of the whole "God" thing and that they were successful without it and I thought I would give my thoughts on it for people that don't like AA/NA due to the pre perceived notion that it has to be religious and that being a deciding factor in wanting or not wanting to be involved in it. But no where and I repeat NO WHERE does it say you have to believe in God or even be religious in AA/NA and if any group of that nature shoves it down your throat then they are not worth a darn anyways. It says "Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity" not came to believe that God could restore us to sanity, trying to get the message across by going at it that way would be well, insane and probably wouldn't have gotten the insane success it has this far if they tried that approach. Having a "Higher Power" could literally mean ANY power greater than ourselves. Some examples being nature, the universe, humanity, love, mathematics, science, consciousness. Think of it as a force that exerted some kind of influence on your life and that was also completely out of your control. The reason for all the "religious" talk in the book is because it was founded by a Christian. But even him and the people that put together the first edition of the book understood that they were not going to be able to get their word and the principles of the book through to everyone solely using "religion" alone and that's why things are loosely worded the way they are. And me saying this in no way me trying to talk anyone in to going back to AA/NA if this is the first time they are hearing it explained to them this way but maybe, and just maybe someone else might see that original post and because they were or are feeling the same way only to see this and find out that it doesn't have to be exactly like that and in turn it may just save someone or many people's lives by understanding a little better. More power to you if you can do it without AA/NA but I noticed a comment from person in that post about their father getting clean and had been clean for a very long time without AA but is still just as miserable as before he got clean because that is the case with so many people that are "dry drunks". They are flat out miserable and a overwhelming majority of them eventually turn back to drugs or alcohol or take their own life and that is an unfortunate reality of our disease. Anyways, to be honest I was happy to hear that some of the people in the comments section had been able to get clean and stay clean at this time but also hope this reaches someone who may be undecided on whether or not to pursue AA/NA due to the whole "God" thing. Much love to you all! I sincerely wish you the best on your journeys.
Well said Brandon 
Well said. AA works bottom line. And as I see it it’s about NOT having alcohol as our higher power, but a belief that something out there can help us manage our lives without alcohol.
AA says “if you want what we’ve got and are willing to go to any length to achieve it, you’re ready to take certain steps”
For me that meant relaxing on my steadfast belief that the word god couldn’t be applied to anything other than religion. I am not religious. I very rarely use the word god in the rooms. But I do believe that the program of AA works when nothing else I tried has. So my higher power started there. It’s grown to just become an acceptance that my life has vastly improved once I stopped attempting to manage the outcome and shifted towards just making good decisions and letting the chips fall where they may.
My higher power is the greater good. I believe that we are all out here to hold each other up and when someone is down it is our obligation to reach out and help them up. Helping others helps me maintain my sobriety (and sanity, tbh).
I recently had to relocate away from my support network and it’s been a challenge for sure but having faith gets me through. Faith means different things to different people but I have faith in AA and faith in my sobriety.