This group of aa attempts to maintain a tradition of free expression, and conduct a meeting where alcoholics may feel free to express any doubts or disbeliefs they may have, and to share their own personal form of spiritual experience, their search for it, or their rejection of it. At first it was called aa toronto agnostics and its purpose was to share the times and locations of the two meetings for those alcoholics looking. Even though the term agnosticism is somewhat modern, coined by thomas henry huxley who first mentioned it in his speech given in 1876, the concept of agnosticism is ancient. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking.
The prayer of francis of assisi o let us start by looking to a worldwide classical prayer, as a meditation. The history goes back to jim burwell, the first atheist in aa, and to the very first agnostic aa meetings. Alcoholics anonymous, page 93, working with others. Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of enabling its members to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. I am athiest agnostic that does believe in the healing power of prayer. Comments about an agnostics prayer by gary witt jim hogg 12242011 5. The 3rd step illustrated and third step prayerstattoosgod. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. We agnostics aa big book chapter 4 aa big book big book of aa alcoholics anonymous doctors opinion how it works aa preamble alcoholism recovery 4th edition 3rd edition 2nd edition alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. I made some edits to make this prayer useful as a serene pledge. How atheists in aa climb the twelve steps without a. The twelve step prayers were created using the text of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Strong opinions were expressed on both sides of the issue. Prayer, as commonly understood, is a petition to god.
May i be strong and steadfast, calm and collected, as i strive to serve. I want the truth and have no desireto whisper prayerfully into a hole page. Agnostic definition is a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality such as god is unknown and probably unknowable. This is the prayer of francis, a young monk and mystic, living in medieval italy. A 3rd step painting, representing growth in our spirtuality.
And the book is all about practicing the presence of god. This is perhaps the most famous prayer in all of science fiction and fantasy, frequently invoked by madrak the mighty, and yet it is also one of the most difficult to find. We agnostics aa kansas city we agnostics kansas city. The aa program of recovery is set forth in the twelve steps aa was founded in 1935 in akron, ohio. Bob smith, decided it was better for their recovery to go forward with god rather than without him. When i came to that first meeting, the word god in the steps and subsequently when i read the. Many agnostic groups beginning of most meetings with this statement that is read usually before or after the aa preamble. Greetings david i am a healer but not personally religious as in the need to give any names ie. No religion no prayer just warm friendly folks like you gathering together for support and sobriety. Since the mid1970s, a number of agnostic or no prayer aa groups have begun across the u.
Aa is nonprofessional, selfsupporting, and apolitical. Right now, i can serenely accept what i can not change. No religion no prayerjust warm friendly folks like you gathering together for support and sobriety. Good gods are scarce because the majority of gods are created by evil men, banga. Beseeching the aid of a deity is an irrational action, or act of faith. Freethinkers in aa kansas city began meeting on monday, september 14th at 7. When i honestly admitted that alcohol was controlling me, i also admitted that my life was unmanageable. Im not certain save if save is indeed the right word.
A secular serenity prayer we agnostics kansas city. I release to the universe the bondage of self, that i may better understand my purpose and act on it. My hope is that these prayers will provide a framework for you to develop your own or expand on the wording below. Agnostosticism is the belief that claims concerning god and certain accompanying religious or metaphysical beliefs cannot be proven either way. Most anything by tim keller in terms of apologetics or answering. Mere apologetics by alister mcgrath in terms of theology. The only agnostic prayer im aware of goes something like this. A british author, vince hawkins, also wrote a book in 2011, a book which was selfpublished, an atheists guide to alcoholics anonymous.
This book is an inspiration for those uncomfortable with the god bit in 12 step recovery meetings and fellowships. Sometimes i say the lords prayer or the jesus prayer out of old habits, and i wonder if there is a way to remove the abrahamic features to make them more universal. And then beginning in 20 there would be an absolute explosion of books for nonbelievers in aa. Aa agnostica began as a website in june of 2011 when two agnostic groups, beyond belief and we agnostics, were booted out of the official aa meeting list in the toronto area by the local intergroup.
Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have. Ward ewing, aa gso trustee emeritus notorious for being included on the program of our first secularaa international convention in california in 2014 who is a hero, of sorts, for a subgroup of secularaa spiritual agnostics who sometimes refer to themselves as atheists, is, for some unaccountable reason, also included in. By aa agnostics of the san francisco bay area today i am serene enough to accept the things i cannot change. Somewhat ironically, the groups name, we agnostics, is derived from the title of the fourth chapter of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, which mainly details the reasons why the original founders of aa, bill w. So many of them read more contemporary books on addiction and recovery and give the aa big book a pass because of its theistic bias, god would and could if. Aa na al anon alanon fellowship specific art poetry. I suspect the prayers of those who actually pray are similar to those of believers. Introduction ii general considerations iv prayerbook i the sign of the cross 1 the christos prayer 2 the strangers prayer 3 prayer to the mother barbelo 4 prayers upon waking 5 prayers upon retiring 6 prayer before a meal 7 prayer of protection invoking the four lights 8 litany against fear invoking the four lights 9 prayer for protection of a. They are not aa approved, but are aa permitted to use and adapt the aa 12 step program.
A collection of meetings of alcoholics anonymous in new york city for recovering alcoholics who prefer an alternative to the emphasis on religion and higher power commonly encountered in most a. The agnostics prayer roger zelazny, creatures of light and darkness, 1969 insofar as i may be heard by anything, which may or may not care what i say, i ask, if. Mar 08, 2019 somewhat ironically, the groups name, we agnostics, is derived from the title of the fourth chapter of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, which mainly details the reasons why the original founders of aa, bill w. Although these books are not written specifically for the agnostic, they use nonjudgemental direct language and are higherpower neutral. A space for aa agnostics, atheists and freethinkers worldwide. However, if you want a specifically agnostic prayer, you can consider roger zelaznys agnostic prayer. In terms of articulating a positive case for belief. Aa 3rd step prayer, traditional aa, alcoholics anonymous third step prayer from the big book. There are some really good books out there for a non religious take on twelve step spirituality. Aa beyond belief provides a space for agnostics, atheists and freethinkers in. Are there any prayers for agnostics spiritual forums.
Sober for thirty years, by jim b author of big book story. How atheists in aa climb the twelve steps without a higher. A history of agnostics in aa is a perfect blend of two essential parts for a book of this sort. General service conferenceapproved literature reflects the group conscience of the fellowship of a. Reading guide for we agnostics amethyst recovery center. Its good to get your thoughts together and seek your inner strength and wisdom. Andrews episcopal church, 6401 wornall terrace, kansas city, missouri. An agnostic prayer for strength confessions of a supply. Having studied both versions in two different books of the bible from the autographed language, i like how you put it. What are the best books on christianity a christian would. Big book and the 12 and 12 combined, the word god appears 298 times.
This misconception extends to 12based treatment centers, who are accused of brainwashing their patients rather than treating a disease. Aa beyond belief provides a space for agnostics, atheists and. Many atheists discover that the proper label for their beliefs would actually be agnostic, while some agnostics occasionally refer to themselves as atheists, just to. Secular aa offers over 520 face to face group meetings worldwide. Book rather than to a higher power, whom many in aa choose to call god. When, therefore we speak to you of god, we mean your own conception of god. Books that are helpful to atheists, agnostics and freethinkers in recovery from. Better yet would be putting together your own agnostic prayersomething that works for you. The text used to develop the prayers are shown at the end of the prayer in parenthesis. I can tell you what i, an agnostic, think about the concept of prayer.
Agnostic musings for 12 step life joan es favorite quote from beyond belief. One of the oldest texts to mention such a beliefphilosophy is the hindu rigveda. The alternative was to use the more neutral serenity prayer or the responsibility statement. An atheist agnostic third step prayer i surrender my life and my will to the universe, in order to be built into a recovered addict and to be rendered useful to other addicts and to the universe. In situations where strength is needed day after day for many days in a row, i would change one word. Our group is just one of many prayerfree agnostic friendly aa groups that can be found the world over, and we are committed to staying sober by. Prayer for protection of a house 10 prayer for the sick 11 amulet for the sick 12 prayer of blessing a person prayer for the wellbeing of a child 14 prayer for travelers 15 prayer for divine guidance 16 prayer for comfort in troubled times 17 prayer for the neglected 18 prayer for the poor in spirit 19 prayer for victims of the archons 20.
God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that can not be changed, the courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. The target audience for we agnostics is relatively easy to define. Experience, strength and hope the a declaration of unity god word. An aa group i regularly attend recently met after the regular meeting to discuss whether we wanted to keep saying the lords prayer at the end of the hour. The 12 step prayer book a collection of 12 step prayers. We are a meeting of alcoholics anonymous for agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, humanists, secularists or anyone interested in a more secular approach to recovery in a. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about god. Many aa agnostics have found these books to be useful and enlightening. The serenity prayer is the common name for a prayer written by the american theologian reinhold niebuhr 18921971. P86 the god world agnostic and atheist members in a.
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