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Post by estrela5 on Jan 30, 2009 15:36:47 GMT -8
"...a Power greater than ourselves...." "God as we understood Him." These words introduce spirituality in the Twelve Steps. They are the first two references to God, and they are worded that way for a reason. We each have the freedom to define, and understand, our Higher Power - God - as we choose. That means we do not bring our religious affiliation into our recovery groups. It means that we do not try to impose our religious beliefs, or our understanding of God, on anyone else. We do not use our groups or meetings as a soapbox to gain religious converts. We do not try to force the particulars of our religious beliefs on others. We give each person, the right to a personal understanding of a Higher Power and ourselves. Today, I will respect other people's understanding of God, as well as my own. I will not allow others' judgment of my beliefs to cause me anxiety and distress. I will seek to grow spiritually in recovery, with or without the assistance of a particular religion or denomination.
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Post by Susan Peabody on Jan 30, 2009 15:52:38 GMT -8
I disagree with some of this. I can bring my understanding of God with me to 12-Step meetings. It is part of whom I am. I cannot stop breathing nor can I stop being whom I am in a religious context. I don't have to take my cross off at the door. But imposing on others is wrong. Judging others is wrong. Pontificating is wrong. Evangelism is wrong. But, I have a right to talk about my Higher Power (as I understand God) as much as I have a right to talk about anything else. We do not get on a soap box, we sit on it. Just be discreet. I understand people's sensitivity to this topic. But there are a lot of topics that are sensitive that are not banned from discussion. Please just avoid the "I am right; your are wrong," attitude. There are many paths to God, if there is a God at all. If we were invited to a party we wound not leave our boyfriend at home just become some of the people don't like him. We would bring him and everyone would meet him and treat him with respect. Same with religion. We do not have to leave it at home, but we should not be offended if some one tells us they do not want to discuss it. There is a "spirituality" forum on this board for those who want to talk about God as they understand God.
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Post by judy on Jan 31, 2009 5:42:53 GMT -8
Hi folks - Thanks for both posts. It makes a nice balance on the topic!
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