Aa is not a christian programme. And you are not doomed. Aa is not associated with any religion. God in Aa is a belief of a highpower as we understand it to be. God can be anything. The question you should be asking is do you believe in a something that is greater than you? If yes, then you believe in a high power. Let me know how you make out or drop a line if you want to know more. And read the big book. It has nothing to do with religon. Just how to stay sober and succeed.

I agree 100% with reply No 1, you heard one mans views, but these are not the general views of the AA.

If this mans views keeps that man sober then I say so be it, it does not mean that we must follow in his path or agree with him.

I was taught early on, that when I go to a meeting, that I should just take the parts away with me that I agree with and leave the others behind.

Your higher power can be whatever you choose it to be

Keep going strong

trickey

Read we agnostics it will help. Its not god as anything. For awhile some in AA would say you can use a light bulb for a higher power. That is bs. Its your own conception of god is what you have to start with. Whatever that conception or lack there of is. If you can believe that the fellowship arounds you believes than thats enough to start with to go on with the rest of the steps. AA was started with a christian program called the oxford movement. Thats factual and writen in our history. But in we agnostics it clearly says we have to begin some where. The conception of god acording to pg 55 in the BB is already inside everyone but is obscured by things we have experienced that has blocked us from that Idea. The rest of the steps it is said will clear away what blocks us from god and that became my exp also. My conception of god continues to grow every day I live the principles. And from my exp conception simply put means your current exp with god. My sponsor asked me if I believed that he believed? I looked in his eyes and knew that he believed so I said yes. He then said thats enough belief to go on with the steps. we then went thru How it works to go on with the steps. Alot of my old ideas of who and what god is had to be done away with. Why? They simply did not work to explain how my life began to change. Remember this it says god either is or he isnt. That means to me that god is either for everyone or he is for no one. And now almost 7 yrs later I know to my inner most self thAt god can keep me sober always if I simply seek him thru the 12 steps.
God bless on your journey.
Dave

He is full of shit. i have travelled all over the world and, guess what? buddists, muslums, jews, those that practice islam, plus many other religions were sober through the grace of alcoholics anonomous. people, humans, are all God's children. go to someone whose ego does not kill people through lies. you deserve so much better.devonh

AA is *not* a Christian program. I'm a pagan for crying out loud. I'm glad my group doesn't insist your higher power must be called "God."

AA is *not* a Christian program. I'm a pagan for crying out loud. I'm glad my group doesn't insist your higher power must be called "God."

Stuff like that completely irks me, it's idiots like that who make AA look bad.
You have received some good feedback, I hope you embrace it.
I'm sorry you had to endure that Bull***t and I hope you give AA another chance.

LOL...you must realize that just because people attend AA and get sober, it doesn't mean that they are totally o.k. Some are sicker than others. Take what you want and leave the rest. AA is a fellowship of Bill's friends, helping each other to remain sober. It works when you work it. It is like FEAR can be your higher power ( God ) if you let it, so choose ( the reward of sobriety ) a higher power and go forward. May God bless you. No, i am not a christian, i just like the concept. :)..peace

Some people in AA, usually Christians believe this crap. I am a living example of being clean and sober but not believeing in the God of our ancestors. Yet it is an insult to say my higher power is a door knob....some idiots.

I have a friend that is an atheist in AA, he is an old-timer too. I always like talking to him, he was a therapist.

There are Buddhists in AA, etc. I had a friend ask me how to handle a certain Buddhist, because she believed in God. I told her to just work her through the steps as she was supposed to do and let God do His work, if He felt inclined.

That lovely lady is still sober.

no some ppl use the group as there higher power, someone lied to you, i know a guy who used a door knob for his higher power and he stayed sober. You're higher power is a personal thing.AA is the best solution for anybody who is an alcoholic,most ppl go to AA and find they love it. take care of yourself.

All AA asks of you is that you believe in a Power Greater than yourself. Does say that we turn our wills and our lives over to the care of God, but it is a God of OUR understanding. YOUR understanding. I wish I was at that meeting. I would have taken that speaker aside and handed him/her a copy of the book Alcoholics Anonymous and ask them to show me in there where it says we are a Christian programme and that we are doomed if we do not believe in God. I dare anyone to show it to me.

I have never actully heard a speaker say that. They do tell you you have to come to believe in something, cause no human power can relieve alcoholism, and its a fact. Remember always use what can help you and leave the rest.The big book says see what you find and join us not what joe the speaker found. take care and good luck to you.

My father was an alcoholic, I never saw him when I was young. When I had my first child, I told him that he would never see her unless he stopped. He had no higher being, he had no AA he had a grand daughter who he wanted to know. He gave up and stayed dry until he died at 77. I was am alcoholic, I choose not to drink.

The AA fellowship was my higher power. I believed in the process, that if I worked the steps, that I could stay sober and get well. I did and continue to.

Many members of this fellowship do not call themselves Christian. The person who told you that is wrong.

Read the 'Big Book' and get to know both the 12 steps and the 12 traditions.

I am a Christian, and in no way does A.A. involve Christianity. If need be a cup can be your higher power. The cup will always be the same. Never change form, shape or anything else. In A.A. we find are own way. When you read the big book you will be able to search your higher power, and the strength that comes with it.