Agnostics & Atheists In Recovery AA Meeting Format - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

doorknob · 01-11-2009, 04:04 PM

MEETING FORMAT

[Chairperson, introduce yourself, then read the following:]

Welcome. This is a meeting of AGNOSTICS & ATHEISTS IN RECOVERY. We are an addiction recovery meeeting for those who may not believe in supernatural intervention in human affairs and who are open to other ideas which have helped individuals to free themselves from addiction. Our intention is not to promote agnosticism or atheism but to provide a meeting for addicts who want to explore and develop addictional paths to recovery from addiction and addictive behavior.

We know from our own experience that any human can recover from addiction if he or she truly wants to recover. We believe that recovery requires two basic elements: an individual's strong desire to end addictive behavior and, since the human being is also a social animal, a support group of empathetic individuals to share her or his recovery experience with. In this meeting, our common goal is to communicate among ourselves and with newcomers the ways we have found that work for us to stay free of our addictions and to share how recovery works and feels on a day to day basis.

Also we acknowledge the help that Alcoholics Anonymous is to many of us in our quest for continuous sobriety and recommend the book of Alcoholics Anonymous for further understanding of addiction and recovery.

We suggest there are several stages in the recovery process:

First, we must develop a strong desire to get free and stay free of addiction (1st step.)
Second, we are stubborn individualists, but we strive to quit fighting everything and everybody and to learn to listen respectfully to the thoughts and feelings of others in recovery and people who share the glove with us. (2nd and 3rd steps.)

Third, we want to develop and maintain a process of honest self-evaluation by which we come to face ourselves and to understand our relationships with others. (4th and 10th steps.)

Fourth, through self-evaluation, we discover that many addicts feel a strong sense of fear, guilt and/or shame which isolates us from other human beings, and therefore we try to share with others, or with a chosen individual, the sources of our alienation, hoping to alleviate our isolation. (5th step.)

Fifth, once we understand our behavior, which has often been self-destructive and harmful to others, we try to develop the humility to amend our destructive habits, to be willing to change our attitudes about life and to repair our damaged relationships with others. We strive for a "completely new set of conceptions and motives" in our lives. (Alcoholics Anonymous, p.27 and 6th through 9th steps.)

Sixth, after we are free of our addictions for a period of time, we strive to find ways to continually stretch our humanity and to become participating members of the larger community, always remembering the lessons we learn in recovery and looking for ways to be of use to others and to addicts like ourselves. (11th and 12th steps.)

It is the consensus that these shares be about addiction and recovery, not a forum about one's beliefs or non-beliefs or other peoples' beliefs. If you have one, please turn off your phone. We are now ready for individual sharing. Share when you are moved to share. Speak once and try to remember how many are left to speak and how much time remains for sharing. Please don't interrupt others when they are speaking. If time remains after everyone has shared, you many speak again, but the chairperson will end this meeting at [10am].

Let's open with a few minutes of meditation to focus our thoughts on why we are here and on what we want to accomplish this morning. [After a time of silence, indicate that it's time to start sharing and ask for topics.]

Is there anyone attending their first or second AA meeting ever? Anyone in their first 30 days?

[SHARING AND PASS THE BASKET]

[At 10am:] "It's time to close the meeting. Please remember that everything you have heard here must remain strictly confidential. We'll close the meeting with a few moments of silence to consider what we've accomplished this morning."

[After a time announce] "The meeting is now closed." [If someone turned off a cell phone, remind them to turn it on again.]

desertdonna · 01-11-2009, 04:30 PM

This is great, Paul! Did you get this at an agnostic meeting?

At first I thought you were chairing an online meeting and I was thinking of how to introduce myself. It took a few moments.

Thanks.

doorknob · 01-11-2009, 04:45 PM

LOL... yeah, this is the format that is used at the agnostic & atheist meeting I've been going to. I haven't been to it or any other meeting in a month (just dry drunkin' it

) due to weather and car problems. I made it into Spokane this morning though...

Quote:

At first I thought you were chairing an online meeting and I was thinking of how to introduce myself.

People at this meeting introduce themselves in all sorts of ways, and nobody even bats an eye...

Eroica · 01-11-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doorknob

Fifth, once we understand our behavior, which has often been self-destructive and harmful to others, we try to develop the humility to amend our destructive habits, to be willing to change our attitudes about life and to repair our damaged relationships with others. We strive for a "completely new set of conceptions and motives" in our lives. (Alcoholics Anonymous, p.27 and 6th through 9th steps.)

Sixth, after we are free of our addictions for a period of time, we strive to find ways to continually stretch our humanity and to become participating members of the larger community, always remembering the lessons we learn in recovery and looking for ways to be of use to others and to addicts like ourselves. (11th and 12th steps.)

I'm still having trouble with this part. First of all, its makes it sounds like I'm suffering from several character defects which led to my addiction in the first place. I don't believe that's true. I don't think all addicts share some special personality type. We became addicted because of the addictive nature of our DOCs, not because as "addicts" we were predisposed to.

I don't need to develop a new set of beliefs or conceptions about life in order to recover. I guess what I'm trying to say is that my addiction is separate from my moral convictions.The atheist version is still saying I need to become a new person in order to recover, whereas recovery to me is simply stopping the addictive behavior so we can learn to cope with life without the drug.

doorknob · 01-11-2009, 06:14 PM

Eroica, I totally agree with you.

I do believe that there are aspects of my person that could be improved upon to better my existence, but not necessarily because of my chemical dependence.

doorknob · 03-06-2009, 12:35 PM

Bumped fo' Fub...

Fubarcdn · 03-06-2009, 12:54 PM

Thanks DK.
I remember reading this when I first started here. I think I will read up on the 4'th step. There might be something in there for me.
I know it has nothing to do with whether I choose to drink or not. I never drink alone so it is pretty cut and dry for me. If I want to hang with my friends and get drunk I will and if I don't I won't. So far I don't.

SeanMcGuigan · 03-11-2009, 05:52 AM

Hi everybody. My sobriety date is Aug 29, 1999, which means I am approaching the big 10 year mark. I have been attending "The Freethinkers AA" at the Unitarian Church in Fort Lauderdale for about the past five years. Anyone who is a member of this particular chat and discussion board would probably feel right at home at our AA meetings. We are all atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, wickans, pagans, and even a few Christians and Jews. We are open and accepting, and of course our mutual desire for sobriety is the glue that holds our fellowship together.
It's nice to find such a group as this on lone.

JMc

ananda · 03-11-2009, 06:40 AM

sean...it's great you posted and thanks.....course i happen to be having a bad day so my first thought was well great nice to know it's there...too bad i have to live in the world i live in....

OK...sorry....woke up on the wrong side of bed

If i ever find another aitheist/agnostic...or even a free thinker in this town...maybe i can start a meeting....

One of the many things i have woken up pssed off about and feeling sorry for my self about this morning is that I can't seem to "belong" anywhere..yeah yeah yeah..."you do it to yourself" whatever...

I really really really could use some support from people who attend AA, work some sort of AA prgram and ARE agnostic/aitheist....

ok..gotta work...

Fubarcdn · 03-11-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ananda

If i ever find another aitheist/agnostic...or even a free thinker in this town...maybe i can start a meeting....

One of the many things i have woken up pssed off about and feeling sorry for my self about this morning is that I can't seem to "belong" anywhere..yeah yeah yeah..."you do it to yourself" whatever...

.

That first line is just so funny. I can almost see your face as you barked it out.

On your second point. You know you belong here. :ghug

Oh and welcome to our world Sean. Always great to see someone new.

jpiette34 · 07-25-2012, 11:37 AM

As an athiest (30 years strong) addict and going to many pro-religious AA and NA meetings ive gotten sick and tired of having to deal with god fearing addicts @ meetings who have said god told them to not drink anymore and that you must have a higher power. i live in southern maryland 1 hour south of washington dc. im very interested in finding out if there are any agnostic/athiest AA meetings in my area.. thanks jeremy

HuskyPup · 07-25-2012, 06:45 PM

I could do meetings like that. Sadly, the agnostic meetings here read all the steps, and God stuff, and it makes it hard for me not to speak out about it, as it is a secular meeting...not only that, it takes place in a Church, which makes you feel like you are in church, in part, because you are. It's just not a place for a pagan/atheist to feel at ease...if it's secular, why keep all the God stuff????? I feel like they pull a bait and switch.

**Dee74** · 07-25-2012, 08:49 PM

Welcome jpiette

D

likwidkool · 07-28-2012, 07:16 PM

jpiette, I am not sure if you are near Bethesda or Columbia but those are two Agnostic Format AA meetings in Maryland. If you google agonstic aa NYC they have a worldwide meeting list.

Maryland

Bethesda

We Agnostics
Church in Bethesda
5033 Wilson @ Old Georgetown
Thursday 7:30 p.m., Open Discussion
This information can be confirmed in the District Of Columbia Area Intergroup "When & Where" Online Listing
Columbia

Easier Softer Way
Alamo Club
9231 Rumsey Rd
Columbia, MD
Wednesday 8:30 p.m.
Contact: Allan (410-997-5042)
Online listing

sugarbear1 · 07-29-2012, 02:37 PM

Addiction - Non 12 Step - Support Group - Index

01-11-2009, 04:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
doorknob Knucklehead Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davenport, WA Posts: 4,003	Agnostics & Atheists In Recovery AA Meeting Format MEETING FORMAT [Chairperson, introduce yourself, then read the following:] Welcome. This is a meeting of AGNOSTICS & ATHEISTS IN RECOVERY. We are an addiction recovery meeeting for those who may not believe in supernatural intervention in human affairs and who are open to other ideas which have helped individuals to free themselves from addiction. Our intention is not to promote agnosticism or atheism but to provide a meeting for addicts who want to explore and develop addictional paths to recovery from addiction and addictive behavior. We know from our own experience that any human can recover from addiction if he or she truly wants to recover. We believe that recovery requires two basic elements: an individual's strong desire to end addictive behavior and, since the human being is also a social animal, a support group of empathetic individuals to share her or his recovery experience with. In this meeting, our common goal is to communicate among ourselves and with newcomers the ways we have found that work for us to stay free of our addictions and to share how recovery works and feels on a day to day basis. Also we acknowledge the help that Alcoholics Anonymous is to many of us in our quest for continuous sobriety and recommend the book of Alcoholics Anonymous for further understanding of addiction and recovery. We suggest there are several stages in the recovery process: First, we must develop a strong desire to get free and stay free of addiction (1st step.) Second, we are stubborn individualists, but we strive to quit fighting everything and everybody and to learn to listen respectfully to the thoughts and feelings of others in recovery and people who share the glove with us. (2nd and 3rd steps.) Third, we want to develop and maintain a process of honest self-evaluation by which we come to face ourselves and to understand our relationships with others. (4th and 10th steps.) Fourth, through self-evaluation, we discover that many addicts feel a strong sense of fear, guilt and/or shame which isolates us from other human beings, and therefore we try to share with others, or with a chosen individual, the sources of our alienation, hoping to alleviate our isolation. (5th step.) Fifth, once we understand our behavior, which has often been self-destructive and harmful to others, we try to develop the humility to amend our destructive habits, to be willing to change our attitudes about life and to repair our damaged relationships with others. We strive for a "completely new set of conceptions and motives" in our lives. (Alcoholics Anonymous, p.27 and 6th through 9th steps.) Sixth, after we are free of our addictions for a period of time, we strive to find ways to continually stretch our humanity and to become participating members of the larger community, always remembering the lessons we learn in recovery and looking for ways to be of use to others and to addicts like ourselves. (11th and 12th steps.) It is the consensus that these shares be about addiction and recovery, *not* a forum about one's beliefs or non-beliefs or other peoples' beliefs. If you have one, please turn off your phone. We are now ready for individual sharing. Share when you are moved to share. Speak once and try to remember how many are left to speak and how much time remains for sharing. Please don't interrupt others when they are speaking. If time remains after everyone has shared, you many speak again, but the chairperson will end this meeting at [10am]. Let's open with a few minutes of meditation to focus our thoughts on why we are here and on what we want to accomplish this morning. [After a time of silence, indicate that it's time to start sharing and ask for topics.] Is there anyone attending their first or second AA meeting ever? Anyone in their first 30 days? [SHARING AND PASS THE BASKET] [At 10am:] "It's time to close the meeting. Please remember that everything you have heard here must remain strictly confidential. We'll close the meeting with a few moments of silence to consider what we've accomplished this morning." [After a time announce] "The meeting is now closed." [If someone turned off a cell phone, remind them to turn it on again.] __________________ Get in where you fit in. - Too $hort Last edited by shockozulu; 01-18-2009 at 11:31 AM. Reason: added a letter

01-11-2009, 04:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
desertdonna Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Glitzville Posts: 334	This is great, Paul! Did you get this at an agnostic meeting? At first I thought you were chairing an online meeting and I was thinking of how to introduce myself. It took a few moments. Thanks. __________________ Peace doesn't require two people; it requires only one. It has to be you. The problem begins and ends there. Byron Katie

01-11-2009, 06:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
doorknob Knucklehead Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davenport, WA Posts: 4,003	Eroica, I totally agree with you. I do believe that there are aspects of my person that could be improved upon to better my existence, but not necessarily because of my chemical dependence. __________________ Get in where you fit in. - Too $hort

03-06-2009, 12:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
doorknob Knucklehead Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davenport, WA Posts: 4,003	Bumped fo' Fub... __________________ Get in where you fit in. - Too $hort

03-06-2009, 12:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Fubarcdn Resident Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 4,150	Thanks DK. I remember reading this when I first started here. I think I will read up on the 4'th step. There might be something in there for me. I know it has nothing to do with whether I choose to drink or not. I never drink alone so it is pretty cut and dry for me. If I want to hang with my friends and get drunk I will and if I don't I won't. So far I don't. __________________ What it is is what it is. Only positivity No negativity.

03-11-2009, 05:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
SeanMcGuigan Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hollywood, Florida Posts: 1	Hi everybody. My sobriety date is Aug 29, 1999, which means I am approaching the big 10 year mark. I have been attending "The Freethinkers AA" at the Unitarian Church in Fort Lauderdale for about the past five years. Anyone who is a member of this particular chat and discussion board would probably feel right at home at our AA meetings. We are all atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, wickans, pagans, and even a few Christians and Jews. We are open and accepting, and of course our mutual desire for sobriety is the glue that holds our fellowship together. It's nice to find such a group as this on lone. JMc

03-11-2009, 06:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
ananda Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 12,048 Blog Entries: 1	sean...it's great you posted and thanks.....course i happen to be having a bad day so my first thought was well great nice to know it's there...too bad i have to live in the world i live in.... OK...sorry....woke up on the wrong side of bed If i ever find another aitheist/agnostic...or even a free thinker in this town...maybe i can start a meeting.... One of the many things i have woken up pssed off about and feeling sorry for my self about this morning is that I can't seem to "belong" anywhere..yeah yeah yeah..."you do it to yourself" whatever... I really really really could use some support from people who attend AA, work some sort of AA prgram and ARE agnostic/aitheist.... ok..gotta work... __________________ Copyright © 2010 - 2010 Ananda You can't stop living just because it hurts a little - Ananda's Mom

07-25-2012, 11:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
jpiette34 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: charlotte hall maryland Posts: 1	As an athiest (30 years strong) addict and going to many pro-religious AA and NA meetings ive gotten sick and tired of having to deal with god fearing addicts @ meetings who have said god told them to not drink anymore and that you must have a higher power. i live in southern maryland 1 hour south of washington dc. im very interested in finding out if there are any agnostic/athiest AA meetings in my area.. thanks jeremy

07-25-2012, 06:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
HuskyPup Shape-Shifting Super-Hero Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Eating Tofu! Posts: 704	I could do meetings like that. Sadly, the agnostic meetings here read all the steps, and God stuff, and it makes it hard for me not to speak out about it, as it is a secular meeting...not only that, it takes place in a Church, which makes you feel like you are in church, in part, because you are. It's just not a place for a pagan/atheist to feel at ease...if it's secular, why keep all the God stuff????? I feel like they pull a bait and switch. __________________ $C:\Documents and Settings\kcarps\My Documents\My Pictures\cb_my__kryptonite_bbcolorbar.gif$ Teen Titans Go! "The body is the soul."-Nietzsche

07-25-2012, 08:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
Dee74 SR Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Seas Posts: 65,357	Welcome jpiette D __________________

07-28-2012, 07:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
likwidkool Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 21	jpiette, I am not sure if you are near Bethesda or Columbia but those are two Agnostic Format AA meetings in Maryland. If you google agonstic aa NYC they have a worldwide meeting list. Maryland Bethesda We Agnostics Church in Bethesda 5033 Wilson @ Old Georgetown Thursday 7:30 p.m., Open Discussion This information can be confirmed in the District Of Columbia Area Intergroup "When & Where" Online Listing Columbia Easier Softer Way Alamo Club 9231 Rumsey Rd Columbia, MD Wednesday 8:30 p.m. Contact: Allan (410-997-5042) Online listing

07-29-2012, 02:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
sugarbear1 ~sb Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: MD Posts: 9,757	Addiction - Non 12 Step - Support Group - Index __________________ Someday everything will all make sense. For now, laugh at confusion, smile through tears, & remind yourself that everything happens for a reason. All Big Book quotes are from the first edition. Linked with the permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

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