I have been a sober member of AA for more than eleven years, attending meetings during all of that time.In my experience AA works on many different levels for different people.Personally, I do not believe in any god, do not pray, and do not practice the 12 step program, although I have many dear friends who do all of these things.It never ceases to amaze me however, that so many people claim to live by the principles of the program and the Big Book yet ignore what the Big Book says near its conclusion in the appendix "Spiritual Experience".Here it is clearly explained that AA's Higher Power is an "unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselves". In other words, you think it's your God who empowers you, but you are doing it yourself, bolstered by your belief in whatever god you choose.To my mind any AA who has read and understood this explanation but continues to credit his recovery to a supernatural source is equivalent to someone believing that magicians really saw people in two! I would say to anyone inclined try AA, go to meetings, take from it whatever you find helps you stay sober and happy and leave the rest aside.The end justifies the means.
I don't know enough about the AA but no one should be made to worship God,
ReplyDeleteand I do know that "NOT All" AA groups do this...
I have been a sober member of AA for more than eleven years, attending meetings during all of that time.In my experience AA works on many different levels for different people.Personally, I do not believe in any god, do not pray, and do not practice the 12 step program, although I have many dear friends who do all of these things.It never ceases to amaze me however, that so many people claim to live by the principles of the program and the Big Book yet ignore what the Big Book says near its conclusion in the appendix "Spiritual Experience".Here it is clearly explained that AA's Higher Power is an "unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselves". In other words, you think it's your God who empowers you, but you are doing it yourself, bolstered by your belief in whatever god you choose.To my mind any AA who has read and understood this explanation but continues to credit his recovery to a supernatural source is equivalent to someone believing that magicians really saw people in two!
ReplyDeleteI would say to anyone inclined try AA, go to meetings, take from it whatever you find helps you stay sober and happy and leave the rest aside.The end justifies the means.