I just spent several hours with someone from my group, and I feel like I'm losing my mind. This woman insisted that the only way I would make progress in my program was to go to her church and succumb to her religious rules. She pushed and insisted, and insisted and pushed. She's been in the program so much longer than I have. I kept thinking that she must know what she's talking about. But it didn't feel right. And now I feel crazy, afraid, guilty, and ashamed. —Anonymous
We do not have to feel afraid, ashamed, or insecure because we don't share someone’s beliefs about religion. No where in the Program do we link successful recovery to a specific religious affiliation. While the Twelve Steps are a journey of spiritual growth and fulfillment, it doesn't demand religious conformity from those it helps.
Today, people often separate religion from spirituality. Religion is about the organization of people and their beliefs, which are placed within a structural body and focuses more on the group as a whole. In contrast, spirituality is about your personal approach to life. It's about what you choose to believe in and how you live your life.
The spiritual path we walk in conjunction with the Twelve Steps is our own. It is a relationship that we form with God as we understand Him. It is integral to our recovery that we build a relationship with our Higher Power. Spiritual growth is part of the program and we need a Power greater than ourselves to keep us sane and to heal our brokenness.
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2 comments:
I am reminded of the fact that the basis of our beautiful Fellowship and the 12 Steps was founded on the teachings and guidance of non-alcoholics: Carl Jung, Emmett Fox, William James and the Oxford Group. All these people stressed spirituality over religion. Thanks God for this vital influence in the formative years of our wonderful Fellowship!
Terry, I would get annoyed to if someone told me I had to go to church. Why can"t people allow other people to experience spirituality on their own. There is nothing written that says you need church to find spirituality.
Thanks for the message bro!
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