Some newcomers in the 12-Step fellowships who are atheists or agnostics have trouble with the word “God”. This has led to some of them rejecting these programs which might have been of great benefit to them.
The founders of the 12-Step fellowships were well aware of the risk of turning away agnostics and atheists. These founders even intermittently used neutral terms such as “Higher Power,” which do not necessarily have supernatural or mystical connotations. Step 2 refers to a Power greater than ourselves: this could refer to something like the group conscience. So far so good: the atheist/agnostic newcomer could conceivably buy into this. Unfortunately, by the time we reach Step 3 the “Power greater than ourselves” has been transformed somewhat disingenuously into “God as we understand Him”. “God”, for most atheists/agnostics, is an unabashedly religious term. While the claim made by fellowship members that 12-Step programs are spiritual and not religious can be substantiated, many atheist/agnostic newcomers are nevertheless put off by the religious terminology and constant references to “God.” If this group of atheists/agnostics turns away as a result, and is deprived of the potential benefits of such a program, then we are left with an unfortunate outcome that would not have been the goal of the founders.
This blog is aimed at the growing agnostic/atheistic segment of the population (growing at least in Europe and North America). It is indeed offensive and ridiculous to expect all addicts/alcoholics to convert to a belief in “God” in order to achieve sobriety. There is no getting around the fact that the constant references to “God” or “God as we understand Him” are offensive to many atheists/agnostics and probably to other groups as well. It does not help matters when occasionally a long-standing member of the fellowship, who happens to be a believer in a transcendental God, reprimands an atheist publicly in a 12-Step meeting for being an atheist. Unfortunately, I have witnessed this behaviour on more than one occasion.
My advice to agnostic/atheist newcomers is this:
- Try to ignore the word “God” – every time it comes up, replace it with the words “Higher Power”;
- The Higher Power in turn can be anything you want it to be: the group conscience, several wise people, anything bigger/wiser than you;
- Stick with the winners in the program. Intolerant people are not winners. One can have differences in beliefs without being intolerant. Your sponsor doesn’t have to be an atheist as long as he or she is tolerant and respectful of your agnostic/atheistic views;
- Once you get past the religious verbiage, you’ll find that most people in these programs are kind, compassionate and open-minded. These people make up the group conscience. This can serve as your Higher Power. Individuals may disappoint, but the group conscience disappoints far more rarely.
- Locate the atheists/agnostics. They are there. They may not be very vocal but you can be sure you are not alone. Find them. There is strength and safety in numbers. This does not mean you should shun non-atheists, it just means that you will not feel alone if you know there are others who share your views.
- Stick to your guns – countless atheists/agnostics have achieved quality long-term sobriety in the 12-Step fellowships using these principles and non-religious concepts of a Higher Power. There is no evidence that you have to embrace a transcendental supernatural God in order to achieve lasting Recovery.
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