AA and Religion

I never had to deal with A.A. so I don't know much about them. Recently I watched a program where they were discussing A.A. I seriously had no idea that the organisation was so based on religious beliefs. Naïve as I was I thought that that's where you go when you have a drinking problem, not that it's an organisation which is basically nothing but a cult.

If I am correct, they speak about higher power in kind of general terms. Most anyone I know who went to AA did not have negative experiences because of the "faith" angle. I believe people should be led to believe in themselves and then everything after that is up to the individual.

But I've never been so hopefully fellow AAers will chime in

VenusBlingBling said:

I never had to deal with A.A. so I don't know much about them. Recently I watched a program where they were discussing A.A. I seriously had no idea that the organisation was so based on religious beliefs. Naïve as I was I thought that that's where you go when you have a drinking problem, not that it's an organisation which is basically nothing but a cult.

pattie375 said:

VenusBlingBling said:

I never had to deal with A.A. so I don't know much about them. Recently I watched a program where they were discussing A.A. I seriously had no idea that the organisation was so based on religious beliefs. Naïve as I was I thought that that's where you go when you have a drinking problem, not that it's an organisation which is basically nothing but a cult.

to me if anyone who wants to go to AAthey can that's their business.

Now I don't like the idea that they are seen as the only way to cure the addiction and that A.A.'s opinion is that you're a powerless creature who can't survive without the help of God.
[Edited 4/16/07 15:11pm]

VenusBlingBling said:

Now I don't like the idea that they are seen as the only way to cure the addiction and that A.A.'s opinion is that you're a powerless creature who can't survive without the help of God.
[Edited 4/16/07 15:11pm]

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

VenusBlingBling said:

Now I don't like the idea that they are seen as the only way to cure the addiction and that A.A.'s opinion is that you're a powerless creature who can't survive without the help of God.
[Edited 4/16/07 15:11pm]

I don't like that either. Like I said, people need to believe in themselves for without them taking and making the steps to healing, there is none.

I had to do a paper on AA for a group's class. Most AA's teach that the higher power is how you define God, or it can even be your own power. AA does work, but it works mainly because of the support that is offered by other individuals within the group. (Group therapy also works.)

VenusBlingBling said:

I never had to deal with A.A. so I don't know much about them. Recently I watched a program where they were discussing A.A. I seriously had no idea that the organisation was so based on religious beliefs. Naïve as I was I thought that that's where you go when you have a drinking problem, not that it's an organisation which is basically nothing but a cult.

VenusBlingBling said:

Now I don't like the idea that they are seen as the only way to cure the addiction and that A.A.'s opinion is that you're a powerless creature who can't survive without the help of God.
[Edited 4/16/07 15:11pm]

VenusBlingBling said:

Now I don't like the idea that they are seen as the only way to cure the addiction and that A.A.'s opinion is that you're a powerless creature who can't survive without the help of God.
[Edited 4/16/07 15:11pm]

Regardless whether they apply Christian principles or not, they have helpped countless people overcome their addictions.

Here is a pdf of the AA pamphlet: http://www.alcoholics-ano...detoaa.pdf
[Edited 4/16/07 20:25pm]

The 12 Steps:

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.

Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

source: http://www.aa.org.au/fact...php?nav=nc

---
Even if they say that you don't have to follow all steps, this is what they teach. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with being religious or spiritual. But this is overall the most accepted treatment for an alcoholic. It's basically about admitting that you don't and can't have any control over your life. Only God has that power and therefore you should dedicate yourself to God (referred to as a man). So many are forced to join AA if they don't want to lose their jobs etcetera and IMHO no one should be forced to join an organisation that is based on religious beliefs and not more liberal. They use the words "God" and "He" which sounds more religious than spiritual to me.
I don't care if they've helped a lot of people, this still bothers me.

.
[Edited 4/17/07 9:33am]

AA is just trading one addiction (to alcohol) for another one (to "spirituality")

perosnlaly i'm a strong believer in moderation. but not abstinance, it's all about learning self control which can be possible if done in small steps.

AA just takes the responsibilty out of your hands, places it in some "higher power" and doesn't teach real inner strength

check out http://www.moderation.org/ instead

VenusBlingBling said:

I've often wondered if construction of a red lightsaber takes place before you can become a Republican, or is it something you do after initiation. Dah, well...

ehuffnsd said:

VenusBlingBling said:

Now I don't like the idea that they are seen as the only way to cure the addiction and that A.A.'s opinion is that you're a powerless creature who can't survive without the help of God.
[Edited 4/16/07 15:11pm]

it's the belief that your way of life didn't work before, so turn it over to someone else.

byronic said:

VenusBlingBling said:

tmo1965 said:

VenusBlingBling said:

byronic said:

Well then, someone needs to open up an alternative version for the atheists.

But if you had to pick an addiction, I would choose God over booze any day.
It's easier on the liver.

Oh man I googled this like to years ago. If you google ÄA is a cult¨a bunch of stuff will pop up. Apparently there are certain qualities that all cults have. The AA doesn´t just have a few of the, its got all of them. But if it really works, do the ends justify the means...

violectrica said:

PurpleJedi said:

Well then, someone needs to open up an alternative version for the atheists.

But if you had to pick an addiction, I would choose God over booze any day.
It's easier on the liver.

violectrica said:

PurpleJedi said:

Well then, someone needs to open up an alternative version for the atheists.

But if you had to pick an addiction, I would choose God over booze any day.
It's easier on the liver.

New York state supreme court has determined that AA (any 12 step group) is religious.Whether one says god or higher power is irrelevant-the meaning is obvious,as is the meaning behind the word prayer.A cult is any group that by means of its members beliefs excludes others of different beliefs.So technically,ALL religions are cults(except maybe the unitarian universalists).
Statistically,people in 12 step groups are more likely to relapse AND/OR DIE from relapsing than people who choose other means to get help.
I'm around people dealing with addiction on a daily basis.Many are into the whole 12 step meeting thing.It's gobbledy-gook imho.Your higher power can be a doorknob if you want.....gee,that sounds like it might work.

ascenderx said: