Aka, I know a lot of people that go to AA and do not believe in God. But "the higher power" thing. I guess you could still save they have faith. Because they do. it is just not God their faith is in, So that might work for you. Try not focusing on God, but just a higher power of some sort. I am probably not a good one to answer this because My faith is in God. I believe in God. But if you struggle with that, try like other AA people and go for the higher power. Maybe do a search on it. I really don't know what the higher power would be because I believe God is the higher power. But a search might help you. And you know what? maybe just believing in yourself, that you are worth the feeling of good health and wellness. Maybe you will find your purpose when you stop wondering what it is? You can make a difference in YOU! . Good luck to you.

I constantly question what our role here on earth is. I waver between "let go and let God", and the idea that every thought and intention we have affects everything else in this universe. I get myself all tangled up and confused.
nevertheless.
i'm still here. in my 30th year of sobriety. so grateful that I have an opportunity to still be here to ponder these things. i hadn't gone to meetings in a couple years but went sat. night (I've been active in AlAnon for 8 years). Heard people talk about the same concerns I have, regardless what their HP looks like. For me, I didn't feel alone in my confusion.
Both my parents died young, so I am grateful so have each day here on earth to try to enjoy what others don't get a chance at.

Well I guess if you put faith, God, higher power , all to the side than your pillar of strenght will have to be something else. I hope you find it and can create the happiness you want

Self honesty and absolute Open-mindedness...about my beliefs, values, perspectives and so on...these I think are far more important than 'religious' faith in AA circles and plenty useful in life generally...

Honesty with self...that I always got told is paramount.

If I ask myself...do I think drink is going to work for me again? The honest answer is no...and that's a starting place.

Which question is it that you're struggling with here...faith or something else?

P

I always think of a line in a song "just prayed to a god that I don't believe in...."
Yes I can relate. I've always believed in a God but didnt have any real traditional religious training. I'm jewish by background so at first (like the first full year) the christian aspects of AA, as well as the male orientation, often bothered me alott.
I've since been looking for similarities not differences and my appreciation for AA has grown remarkably.
that said, if its not for you, you might try other forms of support. I've found buddhism, yoga practice, therapy, all helpful.

I said that I had hit a road block. I have since then been able to feel better about myself and my mistakes.

I do believe in a higher power call it what you want.....God, Karma, good versus evil, etc......I just don't think that most of what they are teaching in correct. The bible has been translated so many times with errors occurring in all of the translations.

My biggest hang up with Christianity is it is fear based. Whenever I did go to church on a regular basis I always walked away feeling like a bad person. I really don't thing that is what God intended on this.

Believing in a higher power is not a matter of feeling bad or lesser of a person. It should be inspiring and uplifting.

An example of this is death. People say you don't want to die. Save yourself so you aren't on deaths door. Well, if you truly believe in God and heaven, why wouldn't you want to die? Supposedly, heaven is a much better place then what we have now.

So you see my dilemma. There's just too many contradictions in Christianity for me.

I feel that our role on earth is to love one another and help one another. Anything above that is the Ego taking over.

Thanks for listening. All of your comments have been a big help.

Hiya, I really relate to where you are coming from as I came into AA an atheist and therefore don't believe in god. I have also been pretty anti Christianity for various reasons. I tried in AA to believe in god but I don't. The time in AA when I was trying to do that and trying to align myself with more Christian based concepts was really miserable for me. Part of my spiritual awakening from doing the steps was about acceptance of what I do and don't believe and accepting that I don't have to try and make my beliefs fit in with other people's.

I have been sober through the 12 step program for 12 years now and I am happy to say I don't believe in god and don't agree with much of the basis of Christianity. I do though accept that whatever faith/ concepts/religion people follow we are all generally trying to live by the same spiritual principles.

I don't give advice but my suggestion would be not to let your lack of belief in god and Christianity keep you away from the 12 steps, my experience tells me it doesn't have to.

I have loads of experience in this so if you want to PM me anytime to talk about anything then please do. :)

Every time I go to church I feel inspirited and uplifted.. every time. I am not sure what kind of church you have attended. but you are right you should not feel like a bad person.

I was raised Pentecostal.....but was drawn towards Southern Baptist as an adult.

We went to church on Sunday am, Sunday pm and Wednesday nights. My mother and grandmother both spoke in tongues. I believed it was the God speaking through them but never could shake the spooky feeling I got when it happened.

I was continually reminded that the end is near, repent, and to fear God.

I really enjoyed the Southern Baptist teachings and was a member for several years.

I went to a church once in Virgina once and asked to speak with the minister after the service. He told me that the church was not for me....and that I should not come back.

I have had some bad experiences with church, no doubt but I never let that interfere with my faith.

It's kind of strange but when I turned 50 years old, I had an awakening of sorts. I let a lot of crap go that was holding me back....it wasn't until about a year ago that I began to lose faith in the God that I was taught to worship.

My favorite statement has always been "If and when I get to heaven....I have a lot of questions."

Thanks again for all of your replies.

With out getting into a lot of my beliefs and sounding "holy Bible on you" and please don't take it this way, But there is no if, you go to heaven when you believe in God. It's when. But I have a lots of questions too. We all do, even being Christian there are questions. One day I will ask them?
Funny I am Pentecostal too. There are a few people that do that talking in tongues in my church too. I don't, but hey if they feel the need to and makes them feel good. I don't care. But my church does not preach on you are a sinner and you will burn in hell. Never.

Meblonde....I have never seen a Pentecostal church that didn't preach that way. Consider yourself lucky.....I still have hope that one day I will be able to find a church like yours.

Thanks for giving me hope.

I think you need to find another higher power. My higher power is all loving & understanding.
Also think you need to find a different meeting.
All the best