A Non-God Centered Spirituality?
It is with a tremendous sense of excitement that I write my first blog post. My name is Andy and I am an alcoholic. I created this website to promote my book. It is now available on Amazon. The book is called “The Twelve Steps For Agnostics.” I do hope that it will be a useful resource for agnostic alcoholics.
Most of us struggle with the concept of a higher power that we can use in our recovery. What could a non-divine notion of a higher power be? It is true that most alcoholics have lost the power of choice when it comes to alcohol. Alcohol has rendered them powerless to stop drinking. In order to recover, they will need a power greater than themselves to help them with their powerlessness
My book. “The twelve steps for agnostics”
Through my own experiences as an agnostic in AA, I have written a book. It’s about how to go through the steps successfully without a belief in God, or any unseen higher power. The steps have transformed my life. I was taught by my agnostic-friendly sponsors how to find and use practical higher powers. They helped me with steps two and three of AA’s twelve steps.
These higher powers certainly helped me to stop drinking. They also guided me towards a tangible spiritual awakening. It was in no way dependent on a belief in God. This journey has had dramatic and life-changing results. I suffered more than a decade of life-threatening relapse in AA. I am very grateful to say, that I am now approaching twenty-five years of contented sobriety as an agnostic alcoholic.
Defining a higher power
Today Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship that embraces everyone that has a desire to stop drinking. The AA program has always been and continues to be open to personal interpretation. The emphasis is placed on dependence upon a higher power. Every member is free to choose their own conception of the phrase “Power greater than ourselves.” (Step two)
This higher power does not have to be God. Each alcoholic can choose a power of their own understanding. All it needs to be is a positive power greater than the alcoholic. This power is based on new ideas, as opposed to “old ideas.” * These new ideas will offer the alcoholic solutions to his/her problems that they do not presently have.
*”Some of us have tried to hold onto our “old ideas” and the result was nil until we let go absolutely”
(Big Book Chapter five p.58)
The AA group – A power greater than the individual alcoholic
For most non-believers, it is initially the power of the group. Gradually their spirituality grows in a direction that works for them. My book is about helping newcomers not be daunted by the ‘God’ word. The words ‘God’ and ‘higher power’ are mentioned in six of the 12 steps. I explain, that the spiritual awakening promised in step 12 and a belief in God are by no means mutually inclusive. It is possible to have a deep and life-changing spiritual awakening without a belief in the traditional religious idea of God. I do hope you enjoy the book.
In fellowship,
Andy F
