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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Suma who wrote (69804)	5/31/2008 4:06:16 PM
From: spiral3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 541776

I know that there are persons who could use AA and Al Anon but who find it objectionable that they are rather forced to comply with these actions. Therefore they do no avail themselves of the meetings. They should come to New York. There is hand holding at the end, but it's not individually required. Have been at meetings, not AA specifically, but never seen kneeling. Here "Our Father", is for some, not all, who or whatever you want him or it to be. For others it is definitely Him. Hymn. Hmmm. But you do have to believe in the notion of something bigger than you, that you can turn to for help.

To: Suma who wrote (69804)	5/31/2008 7:05:08 PM
From: Cogito	Respond to of 541776

>>Now on the topic of prayer. All AA meeting start with a prayer and the same with Al Anon. I don't know how many of you knew this. When either meeting finishes the Our Father is said with every one holding hands. Yesterday in an AA meeting 30 some persons knelt and prayed to thank God for their sobriety. Whoa to the agnostic or atheist... I know that there are persons who could use AA and Al Anon but who find it objectionable that they are rather forced to comply with these actions. Therefore they do no avail themselves of the meetings. I have also learned that the meetings here in NC are much more religious oriented than in Florida. Of course I am in the Bible Belt... What should I expect.<< Suma - It's true that prayers are said in AA meetings, though not all meetings end with the Lord's Prayer. The Serenity Prayer is also widely used, and preferred in many groups, at least in California and New York. I do know, from speaking to people from places like the Bible Belt, that the meetings are much more "religious" there. God is mentioned in the 12 steps, too, though each time the phrase is "god, as we understood him," meaning each individual's understanding. These things are definitely a problem for some people who would like to join AA, but have an antipathy to religion. However, no one is forced to accept any other person's concept of God in AA. You can choose any God you want, or no God. There are even "We Agnostics" meetings for AA members who don't want to hear the God stuff at all. Most often, it is said that AA is "spritual, but not religious". - Allen