The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
One Day At a Time in Al-Anon, September 14, points out that Al-Anon is a spiritual, not religious, program. One sentence reads, "If our dedicated practice of Al-Anon helps us make a Heaven on earth, no religious faith would quarrel with this happy outcome." It also cautions against "helping" another by trying to win them over to our particular faith.
Reminder: It is emphasized in our Traditions and in much of our literature that (a) we are not affiliated with any other organization, and (b) that the tenets of any faith can be applied with the Al-Anon program.
Quote: I pray for the wisdom not to involve myself with the personal lives and beliefs of others, and to help them only by means of Al-Anon principles.
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I love how our program welcomes anyone of any religious faith or of none. When I first encountered Al-Anon I was hesitant about the "God" word, but was so desperate I decided not to let that stop me. I am grateful that no one tries to convince me of any particular spiritual path, while each person is free to express how they define and experience their higher power. It is a great model of how I can love and support others, even if they do not share my view of the world or agree with me about everything.
hey Freetime...Hope life is treating you well and boooy do i like this daily....
This brings back a memory...10 years ago, I was working for this great lady who, herself, was not an Al-anon or an ACA or CoDa, but she had a profound respect for program and she supported my being in it and up the street there was open AA meet and I would go with one of our tenants...they were GR8 meets...well we get back and i am in "E's" suite down the hall and this lady walks in , she knew "E" and she intros herself to me and I shake her hand and she asked "E" if she and I went to the AA meet and why didn't we invite her??? "E" said it was impromptu and we just went...well, one thing led to another and lady says to me "lets start a group..I live in town next door to you, lets do it--" well i was all excited...A meet near us and its Al-anon AND add another meet for ACA's on same night in other room, or different night in same room...she knew a church who would let us use their spare rooms for very cheap.....I was excited ..I offered to chair the ACA and she was more Al-anon so she could chair the other....I didn't know how to start a group, but SHE did....so yea, I was excited....then the BOMB shell...
Meetings had to be Christian....I tell her "that excludes all other faiths" NOT 12 steps, NOT following the traditions...Step 2 is "higher power AS WE UNDERSTAND IT" NOT your way....she said "oh well...no problem, we will convert the non Christians.." I told her to count me out...I would NOT chair a room that was religious...only wanted spiritual where EVERYONE has a home, and I mean EVERYONE who wants to work their program , deal and feel and heal, no matter what they believe in, and i told her I was more agnostic then anything and the PROGRAM is my higher power, mostly...well she looked at me like I had dung flung at me and I told her "good luck, but count me out...I will someday, maybe have a group or at least chair some other groups and I'm welcoming ALL folks who want to embrace program"
I refuse to proselytize..I refuse to even discuss religion or spirituality unless I am in recovery or with a very trusted friend or family member....I dont' think religion has a place here in 12 steps....spirituality does and believe it or not, even us doubters are spiritual....its from within me, i believe...
I asked my friend "E" "hows so and so doing in her meets with the religion" and "E" told me it didn't work out............geeee I wonder why........I've heard of religious based 12 steps groups and I wish them well, but exclusionary "clubs" where there is peer to peer healing going on and NOT honoring the traditions, turn me off...
Good Morning Freetime I love the fact that alanon is a Spiritual program and not a religious one. This simple difference gave me permission to embrace the HP of my 'understanding" and to develop principles to support that belief. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this important topic. Have a great day
Thank you, Freetime for the daily, and Rose and Betty for your ESH.
This is one of the best things about Al-Anon and other 12-step programs. You do not need to have an organized religion. Just a spiritual belief of a power greater than you!
Peace my friends, it is finally FRIDAY, and I am oh so happy!
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
Thanks for your service FT and for all ESH. Alanon allows freedom within its structure and also, take what you like and leave the rest. I came to alanon with a strong belief system, and I see others struggle to accept an HP of their understanding. I come from a mixed religious background and over time developed my own spirituality. It has been easy for me to accept the spiritual essence of alanon. For that I am grateful, Lyne
Greetings all - thank you freetime for your service and the daily! I too am grateful that we are allowed to find any power greater than self as our higher power. I did grow up with organized religion and went to private schools. It's an adventure to gather with gal pals from High School and discuss 'life' and all. It's lovely that we all have our own beliefs, values and spiritual journeys and they are certainly intrigued by mine!
As always, there are some who hold fast to their taught beliefs and I have no issue with that. Unconditional love, tolerance and acceptance is what recovery is all about for me - allowing others to be who they are, think as they do and live and they want/need - the world would be a much better place if all had a recovery program of their own.
I hope everyone is having a great Friday - I golfed this AM, took a little nap and have plans tonight! I love having a full, busy life and consider that a special outcome of a willingness to just be me! (((Hugs)))
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
