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progree

(11,463 posts)
6. It is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
Wed Jan 25, 2012, 07:16 AM
Jan 2012

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.



Spirituality vs the "God" idea. [View all] Stuart G Jan 2012 OP
thanks Stuart NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #1
Nicely put. Tripod Jan 2012 #2
Agreed and well said Old Codger Jan 2012 #3
Once I invited my higher power back into the driver's seat, tavalon Feb 2012 #15
My own opinion Old Codger Feb 2012 #20
Thank you for that post above. Stuart G Feb 2012 #21
That is cult talk - don't tell the truth, don't make waves. Don't try to make any changes progree Feb 2012 #23
easy there NMDemDist2 Feb 2012 #27
And what you just said, in a nutshell, tavalon Feb 2012 #38
Well Old Codger Feb 2012 #31
Maybe you need to be the next Bill tavalon Feb 2012 #33
Well spoken! tavalon Feb 2012 #36
When I was drinking I was an agnostic. Now after many years of sobriety I have Him with me. Every demosincebirth Feb 2012 #35
Yeah, I think you hit on a sticky spot for some tavalon Feb 2012 #37
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
I've met folks from County Drug Court in the rooms Rhiannon12866 Jan 2012 #5
It is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution progree Jan 2012 #6
In answer to this quote...from above post.. Stuart G Jan 2012 #7
Your last line says it all tavalon Feb 2012 #16
It is not "playing God" to not believe in a prayer-answering favor-dispensing deity - NT progree Feb 2012 #24
There were lots of "I" statements in my post tavalon Feb 2012 #26
there has been much controversy about court ordered attendance for sure NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #8
All the groups I've been to ... (2) Why I brought all this up progree Jan 2012 #9
i'm sure you're not the only one. i stated that in my first response NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #10
Its not Bible thumpers that bother me... its the religious proselytization in the 12 Steps and Lit. progree Jan 2012 #11
i dunno NMDemDist2 Jan 2012 #12
What I resent is that it all these characterizations are directed at the agnostic / atheist progree Jan 2012 #14
I do not believe in this, and never have... Stuart G Jan 2012 #13
Prayer to me, is the time that I stop chattering tavalon Feb 2012 #18
Wow, nicely put. Tripod Feb 2012 #22
God in the Steps and literature sure sounds like a deity who does favors and answers prayers .... progree Feb 2012 #32
Wow, I've never been to a program tavalon Feb 2012 #17
The groups that I've been to end the meetings the exact same way Rhiannon12866 Feb 2012 #19
Well, I don't like a generic prayer-answering favor-dispensing deity being crammed down my throat progree Feb 2012 #25
i felt very much as you do NMDemDist2 Feb 2012 #28
Lord's Prayer..????? Stuart G Feb 2012 #29
FWIW, Stuart, my heart heard you loud and clear dixiegrrrrl Feb 2012 #30
Since you asked... progree Feb 2012 #34
A.A. Members In My Experience mrjackshuman Apr 2013 #40
this post is completely inappropriate for this group and this topic NMDemDist2 Apr 2013 #41
Your experience has not been mine. cordelia Apr 2013 #42
Your rant sounds like a personal problem and not my experience with and in AA. Lil Missy Apr 2013 #43
Nor has this been my experience Rhiannon12866 Apr 2013 #44
As long as you don't question the program, especially its "not religious" claim, you'll be fine n/t progree Apr 2013 #45
Again, not my experience. cordelia Apr 2013 #46
Question if you like..here is what happened last Sunday...at a 12 step meeting........... Stuart G Apr 2013 #47
Thanks for this, terrific answer! Rhiannon12866 Apr 2013 #48
Did he or she question the "not religious" claim or the program, other than ask a question about it? progree Apr 2013 #49
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