Partial AA possible??
Belief is a big word, it was for me anyhow... i told my sponsor about it , he told me what i now suggest to others, "just the willingness is enough to make a beginning"
That willingness, opened some ideas into why i found belief, god, faith , so objectionable.
The fact was i carried others ideas of god into my life...most of my life..
Ebby told bill to chose his own conception .... which is exactly what i did, .
Strangely ....i now have no idea about god lol ...but that's vastly more effective than everyone else's idea .
That willingness, opened some ideas into why i found belief, god, faith , so objectionable.
The fact was i carried others ideas of god into my life...most of my life..
Ebby told bill to chose his own conception .... which is exactly what i did, .
Strangely ....i now have no idea about god lol ...but that's vastly more effective than everyone else's idea .
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: brooklyn, new york
Posts: 1,639
obviously, when you come into aa
you are new and don't know much
but everybody has their own program
and
you only take what you want
and
leave the rest
so no one is ever practicing everything
the main thing is
do you have the desire to stop alcohol,
that entitles you to a seat
frankie
you are new and don't know much
but everybody has their own program
and
you only take what you want
and
leave the rest
so no one is ever practicing everything
the main thing is
do you have the desire to stop alcohol,
that entitles you to a seat
frankie
imo
i think first find out what type of alky one is, and then address the insanity bit.
if one's a real alcoholic, as defined in the BB
insanity is being in a 12 step program,
and not working all the steps
i think first find out what type of alky one is, and then address the insanity bit.
if one's a real alcoholic, as defined in the BB
insanity is being in a 12 step program,
and not working all the steps
I'm an agnostic, sober 21+ years (and I do have a higher power). "The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking .........." according to Bill Wilson. It's not a cult, you can believe whatever you like!
The fellowship and the program are two different things. You could get the impression from reading this thread that 'The only requirement to get sober is a desire to stop drinking" which is absolute nonsense.
A desire to stop drinking gets you into the fellowship and nothing more. The 12 steps, suggested as a program of recovery, are the program. While only suggested, nowhere in our basic text does it state that recovery can be accomplished by only taking "some" of the steps. But our text takes considerable pains to explain that our program is very roomy and can accomodate any individual beliefs, as long as they make sense to you.
A desire to stop drinking gets you into the fellowship and nothing more. The 12 steps, suggested as a program of recovery, are the program. While only suggested, nowhere in our basic text does it state that recovery can be accomplished by only taking "some" of the steps. But our text takes considerable pains to explain that our program is very roomy and can accomodate any individual beliefs, as long as they make sense to you.
The only requirement to get sober is determination enough to do so. The only requirement for AA membership, regardless of what anybody says, again, is a desire to stop drinking. AA offers a solution for those who are willing, or for whom nothing else has previously worked. That solution is the 12 steps. While I'm sure they exist, I don't personally know anyone who has honestly and diligiently worked the 12 steps, who they haven't worked for. I'm certain I wouldn't be sober without them. I have complete faith in the 12 steps being a solution to the problem of alcoholism.
The cofounders of AA never said that the 12 steps were required for anyone to be a member. And I've seen thousands of people get and stay sober, in AA, without working the steps.
Don't allow yourself to be bullied away from meetings because of a very small handful of over zealous people. They mean well, and they just want to share something that has worked miraculously in their lives, when nothing else did.
The cofounders of AA never said that the 12 steps were required for anyone to be a member. And I've seen thousands of people get and stay sober, in AA, without working the steps.
Don't allow yourself to be bullied away from meetings because of a very small handful of over zealous people. They mean well, and they just want to share something that has worked miraculously in their lives, when nothing else did.
I'm sober (two weeks tomorrow) "Happy, Happy, Happy", but I'm still trying to figure out my HP beliefs which is something that I haven't faced in my life before.
I appreciate those that share what has worked for them so I don't discourge them to do so but dont' use pressure to get the point across.
Thanks to all that have replied.
IMHO you setup is maybe a little off. To directly answer your question... Yes you can, but you're setup is a little off (I got hung up on all the God stuff too at first, and AA does have its roots in the Oxford Religious movement from which Wilson adopted a bunch of ideas). Anyway, the higher power is Your Higher Power as defined by You. Just know that and try to roll with it IMHO. "completely agree to all the beliefs of the higher power?" I have no idea what all the beliefs of the higher power are, but I sure as heck know what My Higher Power is all about (kinda' how it works for me and a lot of other people). I would suggest just try it for a while, find a good sponsor that you relate to and try not to be too defensive or analytical and go with the flow.... Good luck!
although we do hear a lot regarding the Steps and God in AA meetings
many I know in AA that have been going for many years
have not worked the Steps
do not have a Sponsor
and don't have a clue regarding a higher power
never witnessed them being pressured into anything
if one does take on a Sponsor or work the Steps
yes
then some requirements may come into play
onehigherpower
That is exactly that "bullied" & "over zealous people". It's not that I'm against the 12-steps but different people need different times to adjust. I feel pressured to jump in with both feet today. I'm not ready but hope to be one day. Until then I like the fellowship and support.
I'm sober (two weeks tomorrow) "Happy, Happy, Happy", but I'm still trying to figure out my HP beliefs which is something that I haven't faced in my life before.
I appreciate those that share what has worked for them so I don't discourge them to do so but dont' use pressure to get the point across.
Thanks to all that have replied.
I'm sober (two weeks tomorrow) "Happy, Happy, Happy", but I'm still trying to figure out my HP beliefs which is something that I haven't faced in my life before.
I appreciate those that share what has worked for them so I don't discourge them to do so but dont' use pressure to get the point across.
Thanks to all that have replied.
This suggestion helped me a lot with the "God Thingy" :
Short version of the first 3 Steps =
Step 1.) I can't
Step 2.) He can
Step 3.) Let Him
That is a big problem with so called face-to-face groups, intimidating bullies. Just one more reason why I am beginning to prefer internet forums so as SR. Here you get to meet people with a far broader range of education and experience and more people in general than you possibly could in a meeting. Truthfully the help I get here is a lot more rewarding than I get in any AA meeting.
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 14,185
That is a big problem with so called face-to-face groups, intimidating bullies. Just one more reason why I am beginning to prefer internet forums so as SR. Here you get to meet people with a far broader range of education and experience and more people in general than you possibly could in a meeting. Truthfully the help I get here is a lot more rewarding than I get in any AA meeting.
I personally if I had to choose I would never give up the real people in real life.. Over sitting on my computer with this screen and not looking at someones face..
And I am glad everyone is granted a membership with AA, because I get just as much from the bullies and people that try to intimidate others.. Because they show me exactly what I don't want to do.. And always make me cherish the people around me..
And the joy of gaining these frienships and being able to share them face to face, and see and touch each other, can't put a price on that..
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 321
"It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a power greater then myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning." - Bill's Story
I'd also like to say that there are many power's greater then me. The cop with the ticket book walking up to me is one, for he can do something I cannot. Take my freedom!
Or gravity
Or whatever helps the hummingbird stay afloat
Hope this helps
I'd also like to say that there are many power's greater then me. The cop with the ticket book walking up to me is one, for he can do something I cannot. Take my freedom!
Or gravity
Or whatever helps the hummingbird stay afloat
Hope this helps
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