Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

pnwmom

(108,994 posts)
Mon Feb 24, 2014, 03:23 PM Feb 2014

This organization helped one of my loved ones get his life back

and I'm glad to hear that there are now meetings available specifically for agnostics and atheists, at least in some of the major cities.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/22/us/alcoholics-anonymous-without-the-religion.html

Three floors above a Manhattan street of loading docks and coffee shops, in a functional room of folding chairs and linoleum tile, a man who introduced himself as Vic began to speak. “Today is my 35th anniversary,” he said. The dozen people seated around him applauded, and several even whooped in support.

By most overt measures, this gathering two weeks ago was just another meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, one of its multitude of meetings worldwide. At the session’s end an hour later, however, as the participants clasped hands, instead of reciting the Lord’s Prayer in usual A.A. fashion, they said together, “Live and let live.”

This meeting, as the parting phrase suggests, is one of a growing number within A.A. that appeal to nonreligious people in recovery, who might variously describe themselves as agnostics, atheists, humanists or freethinkers. While such groups were rare even a decade ago, now they number about 150 nationally. A first-ever convention will be held in November in Santa Monica, Calif.

The boom in nonreligious A.A. represents another manifestation of a more visible and confident humanist movement in the United States, one that has featured public figures such as Bill Maher, Sam Harris and the late Christopher Hitchens. Yet this recent trend within A.A. also marks a departure from the organization’s traditional emphasis on religion.

SNIP

Addresses for "Worldwide Agnostic AA Meetings":

http://agnosticaanyc.org/worldwide.html

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
This organization helped one of my loved ones get his life back (Original Post) pnwmom Feb 2014 OP
AA's emphasis is NOT on religion. madamesilverspurs Feb 2014 #1
I realize that. But I also have known people who were uncomfortable with even a "spiritual" pnwmom Feb 2014 #2
i know several people who could`t buy the trade god for your addictions madrchsod Feb 2014 #3

madamesilverspurs

(15,806 posts)
1. AA's emphasis is NOT on religion.
Mon Feb 24, 2014, 03:55 PM
Feb 2014

Never has been.

There is a very significant difference between religion and spirituality. The distinction has made it possible for people of every inclination (or lack thereof) to find recovery in AA.

pnwmom

(108,994 posts)
2. I realize that. But I also have known people who were uncomfortable with even a "spiritual"
Mon Feb 24, 2014, 04:01 PM
Feb 2014

atmosphere at these meetings, and I'm glad there are more options for them.

madrchsod

(58,162 posts)
3. i know several people who could`t buy the trade god for your addictions
Mon Feb 24, 2014, 04:37 PM
Feb 2014

and i know people who have. trading one addictions for another doesn't solve the core issue of dependency. i will admit that it is a good thing if they stop there additions but their underlying problems are not solved.

a non religious treatment may have a better long term outcome.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»This organization helped ...