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In reply to the discussion: Spirituality vs the "God" idea. [View all]progree
(11,463 posts)6. It is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
according to the highest courts that have ruled on these cases. According to these rulings, they have to offer secular alternatives.
"AA doesn't work who those who believe they are God. "
IISSSHHHSShhh. That is the kind of insult that makes A.A. so odious to so many. You claim not to be religious, but only a religious type would impugn that non-theists -- or people who have a problem with a religious program falsely claiming not to be religious -- think they are God.
"I choose to look at the religious references as a sign of the times from when AA was started"
LOL, it is just as religious now as it was in 1935. I don't get it, because it was religious in 1935, its not religious now?
"if someone is helped by belief in a "Higher Power," that's fine with me"
Fine with me too. Its when people are coerced into A.A./N.A. and having a prayer-answering favor-dispensing deity called God crammed down their throat that I get really upset, and I don't choose to "leave it".
I also get upset when A.A. does this bait and switch where they claim to not be religious, and then it is God this and God that and God God God, and not just any God, but a prayer - answering favor-dispensing deity that we have to "pray to for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out". (Don't tell me I can pray to a light bulb or a door knob or the group).
Don't get me started on the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6 and Luke 11). You'd feel the same way if you were coerced into Mohammed's Prayer straight out of the Quran.
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That is cult talk - don't tell the truth, don't make waves. Don't try to make any changes
progree
Feb 2012
#23
When I was drinking I was an agnostic. Now after many years of sobriety I have Him with me. Every
demosincebirth
Feb 2012
#35
I've been sober over three decades -- have met few who don't believe in a Higher Power and there
demosincebirth
Feb 2012
#39
Kind of hard to endure the religious proselytization about a prayer-answering favor dispensing deity
progree
Jan 2012
#4
It is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
progree
Jan 2012
#6
It is not "playing God" to not believe in a prayer-answering favor-dispensing deity - NT
progree
Feb 2012
#24
Its not Bible thumpers that bother me... its the religious proselytization in the 12 Steps and Lit.
progree
Jan 2012
#11
What I resent is that it all these characterizations are directed at the agnostic / atheist
progree
Jan 2012
#14
God in the Steps and literature sure sounds like a deity who does favors and answers prayers ....
progree
Feb 2012
#32
Well, I don't like a generic prayer-answering favor-dispensing deity being crammed down my throat
progree
Feb 2012
#25
Your rant sounds like a personal problem and not my experience with and in AA.
Lil Missy
Apr 2013
#43
As long as you don't question the program, especially its "not religious" claim, you'll be fine n/t
progree
Apr 2013
#45