Any atheists?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Laguna Hills CA
Posts: 4
Any atheists?
Hello! Im new and Im searching for anyone who is an atheist and in recovery. I have been to many meetings and met many beautiful people but I havent found what I am looking for in regards to dealing with the whole spirituality issue. Any direction would be appreciated. Thank you!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 347
You're in the secular forum so you are among friends. I'm an atheist and dealing with recovery. I had a good 3 months and then messed up for a day but I'm back on the sober path. You can absolutely do the same, sobriety is not the exclusive reserve of the religious. Check out AVRT and RR for secular approaches.
The people here are quite simply fantastic. You have tapped into a vast amount of wisdom, of course it's all down to you in the end but they can give you help, support and various approaches to give you the best chances of success.
I wish you the best my friend, I will be here to help in every way I can as I am sure other will.
The people here are quite simply fantastic. You have tapped into a vast amount of wisdom, of course it's all down to you in the end but they can give you help, support and various approaches to give you the best chances of success.
I wish you the best my friend, I will be here to help in every way I can as I am sure other will.
Self recovered Self discovered
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 5,148
Hi BigFish and welcome to the team. That comfy overstuffed chair over there is just right for you, so make yourself at home.
This forum is a 12 Step Free Zone, so you can proceed with your thread secure in the understanding that you are accepted for yourself, no HP required.
As far as dealing with spirituality, we typically just don't include that stuff here. I am variously spiritual and religious myself, but that doesn't have much to do with my drinking past, or with my sober present. I suggest you start doing some reading here in this forum, lots of valuable information. I like the AVRT discussion thread, and anything with 'Big Plan' in the subject line. I second the suggestion that you check the Rational Recovery website and look at The Crash Course in AVRT, all free to you.
So, please feel free to continue with your thread in the manner you have chosen. Onward!
This forum is a 12 Step Free Zone, so you can proceed with your thread secure in the understanding that you are accepted for yourself, no HP required.
As far as dealing with spirituality, we typically just don't include that stuff here. I am variously spiritual and religious myself, but that doesn't have much to do with my drinking past, or with my sober present. I suggest you start doing some reading here in this forum, lots of valuable information. I like the AVRT discussion thread, and anything with 'Big Plan' in the subject line. I second the suggestion that you check the Rational Recovery website and look at The Crash Course in AVRT, all free to you.
So, please feel free to continue with your thread in the manner you have chosen. Onward!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,432
This is the secular recovery forum.
It does what it says on the tin.
Religious folks and the like are not barred - but we do expect a little bit of consideration for the forum, its members and prevailing beliefs.
If someone is annoying you, please use the Ignore function, or drop them a PM.
and now back to the OP - thanks.
D
It does what it says on the tin.
Religious folks and the like are not barred - but we do expect a little bit of consideration for the forum, its members and prevailing beliefs.
If someone is annoying you, please use the Ignore function, or drop them a PM.
and now back to the OP - thanks.
D
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 29
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 175
BigFish, what are your concerns with the AA type approach, and how it fits in (or doesn't) with your rational mindset? Despite your non-christian view, has your attendance to meetings been of some value? I ask this because I have some major issues with the 12 steps, and there's been much internalised debate over the past week for me as to how exactly it would help me in any way, when I am at odds with most of the structure.
There are thousands of suggestions from the AA camp that suggest using the word 'god' as a euphemism, rather than a supernatural deity in which it was intended, but there appears to be some deeper christian mindset that goes along with the AA model.
If, as a self-confessed athiest, you have found some value in the meetings, I would love to hear how you dealt with the 'god' concept.
There are thousands of suggestions from the AA camp that suggest using the word 'god' as a euphemism, rather than a supernatural deity in which it was intended, but there appears to be some deeper christian mindset that goes along with the AA model.
If, as a self-confessed athiest, you have found some value in the meetings, I would love to hear how you dealt with the 'god' concept.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central America/Florida USA
Posts: 4,064
I am a fellow non-believer. SR has been a great board for me, with the one exception being the rather conservative views on religion here. There are a lot of mentions of Gods and Jesus on all boards here, not just the Christian section. There's really not much anyone can do about it, including the mods who have the best intentions. With recovery and support being the #1 priorities here, discussion on religion just gets too counter productive. It's frustrating but at the same time I understand it.
I do often feel alone with my views, though, and really wish we could pick up some steam in the Secular section. Much like some of the other specialty forums it just doesn't seem to get as much traffic. Welcome!
I do often feel alone with my views, though, and really wish we could pick up some steam in the Secular section. Much like some of the other specialty forums it just doesn't seem to get as much traffic. Welcome!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Laguna Hills CA
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by TKS 
BigFish, what are your concerns with the AA type approach, and how it fits in (or doesn't) with your rational mindset? Despite your non-christian view, has your attendance to meetings been of some value? I ask this because I have some major issues with the 12 steps, and there's been much internalised debate over the past week for me as to how exactly it would help me in any way, when I am at odds with most of the structure.
There are thousands of suggestions from the AA camp that suggest using the word 'god' as a euphemism, rather than a supernatural deity in which it was intended, but there appears to be some deeper christian mindset that goes along with the AA model.
If, as a self-confessed athiest, you have found some value in the meetings, I would love to hear how you dealt with the 'god' concept.
There are thousands of suggestions from the AA camp that suggest using the word 'god' as a euphemism, rather than a supernatural deity in which it was intended, but there appears to be some deeper christian mindset that goes along with the AA model.
If, as a self-confessed athiest, you have found some value in the meetings, I would love to hear how you dealt with the 'god' concept.
In short I simply ignore the GOD aspect of AA and relish in the splendor of natural law. Seriously the only time it is important is when u r working with your sponsor.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: florida
Posts: 7
I here you Big Fish, Im a atheist and I go to A.A. meetings and have lots if wonderful friends there. I struggle with the God part of the program. My close friends are always trying to convert me and saying things like (keep coming) stay open minded in time you'll get it. It really makes me mad and start to criticize them and there beliefs . I don't like being that way it is something I'm trying to work on. I feel it is very important to be part if the fellowship and to stay connected to them. I'm new to this state and I don't know many people. I've made great contacts with sober people through A.A. Its very important for me to have a network so I don't isolate. It has been a struggle I'm afraid of going back to my old ways, especially when they all say the only way to Truly stay sober is through the 12 steps and the big book. Thanks for the post.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 6
I'm a devout atheist, and have been since I was about 9 or 10. I flirted with Christianity during a low period in my life about 11 years ago, but the deeper I got into the the church and the beliefs, it just solidified my disbelief even more, and came out even a stronger atheist that I was before. So I guess you could call me a "born-again" atheist. 
That said, I'm open to AA meetings, just to have the face-to-face dialogues which could be beneficial. I don't have a problem with the "higher power" concept, as long as we are truly allowed for that to be whatever we want -- family, society, electricity, energy, whatever. But if I start picking up too much preaching and praying, I'll probably become uncomfortable and decline future attendance.
That said, I'm open to AA meetings, just to have the face-to-face dialogues which could be beneficial. I don't have a problem with the "higher power" concept, as long as we are truly allowed for that to be whatever we want -- family, society, electricity, energy, whatever. But if I start picking up too much preaching and praying, I'll probably become uncomfortable and decline future attendance.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: oz
Posts: 164
Originally Posted by bigsombrero
I am a fellow non-believer. SR has been a great board for me, with the one exception being the rather conservative views on religion here. There are a lot of mentions of Gods and Jesus on all boards here, not just the Christian section. There's really not much anyone can do about it, including the mods who have the best intentions. With recovery and support being the #1 priorities here, discussion on religion just gets too counter productive. It's frustrating but at the same time I understand it.
I do often feel alone with my views, though, and really wish we could pick up some steam in the Secular section. Much like some of the other specialty forums it just doesn't seem to get as much traffic. Welcome!
I do often feel alone with my views, though, and really wish we could pick up some steam in the Secular section. Much like some of the other specialty forums it just doesn't seem to get as much traffic. Welcome!
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Yorkshire U.K
Posts: 313
I may as well throw my hat in the ring. I have never really given myself the title "Atheist", but I never believed in god/religion either. I'm wary of labels as they seem to set people at odds quicker than actual disagreement! But that doesn't change my views. I don't do faith based thinking and like to see evidence.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 347
Bigfish, your last reply was 4 days ago, I am sure I'm not alone wondering how things are going. Get back to us please. Even if you have slipped understand the people here will not judge you. Just get that post up and we will do our best to help.
Take care.
Take care.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,997
Try Buddhism or Taoism. There's a lot of ways to find something to help make sense of this world that don't involve a god.
I'm pretty spiritual and I only go as far to say beats me how this universe came about and works. I just know it wasn't me who had anything to do with it. And then I just move on trying to live a life of virtue. Plenty to keep me busy in the field of spirituality in that.
Just me.
I'm pretty spiritual and I only go as far to say beats me how this universe came about and works. I just know it wasn't me who had anything to do with it. And then I just move on trying to live a life of virtue. Plenty to keep me busy in the field of spirituality in that.
Just me.
Trying to close the dark doors
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 16
Atheist 12 Stepper here.
Rationally, one I finally admitted that I was powerless over alcohol, that to me meant that alcohol held a position of power higher than me. Logically, if there is a negative "higher power" there must be a positive one. I'll let you know if I find it, but I think love is involved. For now, I search. When a test comes my way I ask myself what would humanity at its finest do, and I try to do that.
Rationally, one I finally admitted that I was powerless over alcohol, that to me meant that alcohol held a position of power higher than me. Logically, if there is a negative "higher power" there must be a positive one. I'll let you know if I find it, but I think love is involved. For now, I search. When a test comes my way I ask myself what would humanity at its finest do, and I try to do that.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,997
Originally Posted by Steppenwolf
Atheist 12 Stepper here.
Rationally, one I finally admitted that I was powerless over alcohol, that to me meant that alcohol held a position of power higher than me. Logically, if there is a negative "higher power" there must be a positive one. I'll let you know if I find it, but I think love is involved. For now, I search. When a test comes my way I ask myself what would humanity at its finest do, and I try to do that.
Rationally, one I finally admitted that I was powerless over alcohol, that to me meant that alcohol held a position of power higher than me. Logically, if there is a negative "higher power" there must be a positive one. I'll let you know if I find it, but I think love is involved. For now, I search. When a test comes my way I ask myself what would humanity at its finest do, and I try to do that.
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