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by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on April 28th, 2007

Sheriff Raff -Answerhag

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Do atheists object to the Alcoholics Anonymous program?

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Answers. 9 helpful answers below.

  • by cRiMeDoG on April 28th, 2007

    cRiMeDoG

    No, I believe that if someone needs help in getting out of a situation like that and the only way they see fit is to join AA, then good on them.

    I know many are not going to like this (here come the negatives). I think Christianity is pretty low for preying on people in weakened states to gain a follower. They go to war torn countries on "missions", and they have all these programs to "help" people. On the surface it seems nice and friendly until you realize all they are doing is drumming up business. They help these people by "spreading the word" these people are down and willing to grasp onto anything to get help. Christianity makes people feel that their only chance for help is from god.

    I had a conversation with someone about what I have been through in my life and my lack of religion. They responded by saying that they don't know how I was able to make it through without God in my life. That saddens me to hear. What that tells me is people think they are weak and need a higher being to help them through things. All that I have made it through in life, and all that I have accomplished, was because of ME, I had faith in myself.

    Being an Atheist I realize that people have the power to change within them; not from some unseen, all knowing God.

    ***Stepping off of the soap box and waiting for the negative points to start rollilng in***

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  • by ender1886 on January 22nd, 2008

    ender1886

    I don't see how the two relate. At all. Other than maybe Christians finding folks down on there luck and advertising their god. (Not saying that EVERY Christian dose it). Just the majority.

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  • by Papio on May 4th, 2010

    Papio

    I've been to a number of the meetings over the years. For a long while I would respectfully step outside for them to do their prayers. The problem with that it is the way it creates distance from other members of the group. Basically, if you do not look up to a "higher power" -- and preferably the Christian one -- you may not be considered a full participant or "in denial" by some group members. I do not wish to be rude to anyone and I do attempt to be understanding of another's experience, but I find it real hard to take someone who believes in fairy tales seriously (sigh).

    There are secular meetings. I went to one for a while. It was much more relaxed when we could all just shake hands and wish one another well.

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  • by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on January 22nd, 2008

    DA BEN DAN yanggui zi

    I don't object. I don't know very much about AA --but if their goal is to help people stop ruining their lives with alcohol then more power to them. They are not going to convert anyone to Christianity I don't think. People who are trying to dry out aren't necessarily thinking about God.

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  • by Deni on January 22nd, 2008

    Deni

    They shouldnt. Altho you need a "higher power" in AA it can be anything. Like the group itself. Here is a bunch of people who can do what the indiviual can not. Stay sober. So it is a power greater than the individual.

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  • by val gal on April 18th, 2009

    val gal

    When does the opinion of an athiest mean anything?

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  • by The Anonymous Witch on May 4th, 2010

    The Anonymous Witch

    ambulance chasing .

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  • by Frunobulax57 on August 9th, 2008

    Frunobulax57

    Self styled atheists - which is actually what most atheists are - who are alcoholics and who utilize AAs Twelve Step program don't object because it usually turns out that they only "thought" they were atheists and once they have the spiritual awakening as the result of the steps they find that they are actually believers in a God of their understanding. Once the incredible miracle of recovery takes place they find themselves in a position that they never thought they would be in - having to credit a God with the removal of their life defeating troubles. God actually proves His existence to them - much in the same manner as depicted in the Bibles where Saul is knocked off his horse. The old "give me sign" gift is theirs.

    Atheists who just show up at AA meetings and never actually follow the Twelve Steps - who just use AA as a sort of "Look Ma, not drinking today" "clubhouse" or social venue - and perhaps do not even fit AA's ". . our description of the alcoholic." usually ignore the 'God' mentions of the Twelve Steps and don't practice them at all. They cannot.

    There is no believing in doorknobs or wooden chairs in AA and in recovering. That is an old wives tale - a mythical AA-lore idea that has nothing to do with the actual AA program of recovery known as the twelve steps. It was 'made up" by someone who didnt actually follow the Program. No alcoholic has ever actually recovered from alcoholism using inanimate objects as gods.

    If they are real alcoholics the relapse. If they are non-alcoholic alcohol abusers - which most of them are - they just "keep coming back" to the meetings, killing other alcoholics by passing around bad information (like, you'll never recover. You'll always be recoverING and make fun of people - real alcoholics whose experience is different - who live and teach the twelve steps and actually recover from their malady.

    Or they leave the AA Fellowship and say "it didn't work" and go on AA bashing jaunts - because they were actually able to stop on their own - and therefore EVERYONE can.

    I hope that helps

    Peace,

    Danny S - RLRA
    Real Live Recovered Alcoholic
    http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com

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  • by Tripper87 on May 4th, 2010

    Tripper87

    Well I was an atheist when I got to the doors of AA, what I objected to mostly was all this not drinking... ;)
    My experience shows that atheists, (ME) can taken the action outlined in the steps as instructed in the book and have a spiritual experience as a result.

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