Spiritual or Religious?
Dateline: 03/04/98One of the controversies that has developed lately in the 12-step fellowships in some parts of the world is the use of the "Lord's Prayer" at the close of the meetings.
|
|
On the other hand, there are those that feel eliminating the prayer undermines the foundation upon which the recovery program was built upon, and the move away from the Lord's Prayer further dilutes the founder's original intent.
Visitors to the Alcoholism site here at The Mining Co. debated this issue back and forth on the bulletin board for several weeks. Here are some excerpts from that debate:
Written by bob m on Sat Feb 14
When I first joined AA and at my first meeting I wa suprised to hear the Lord's Prayer being said. In the what seems like many 24 hours since then. There is one thing thaat still comes and demands my attention every time I say or here it, and that is "thy will be done". If nothing else I am reminded of a higher power. I have never been to a meeting where it is mandatory to recite the prayer. In one of the meetings I go to one guy does not join us because of his religius convitions and that is okay. A newcomer should be made aware of this, and also of the higher power
Written by derek on Sat Jan 24
This topic has been raised in my home area by me in the past few years.I have not had any success in getting the groups to look at possible changes to this format. People have even said to me that a meeting is not a real meeting unless it is closed with the lords prayer,hardly. I believe that many people leave AA as a direct result of it seeming to religious and this is directly proven by the success of rational and smart recovery. Most of the Christians in my home area say it is to bad that people are not ready yet. I don't buy it, we are doing people a disservice by insisting that they conform to Christian practices in order to fit in.My long time friend once tried to stay out of the circle for a number of meetings and not recite the prayer or hold hands. I suggest that anyone who thinks we offer people a real choice try this for several meetings. It is hard to do, people won't accept it; they think there is something wrong with you and they even insist on grabbing your hand at times.He had more than 10 years continuous recovery at the time and felt really centered out and eventually stood in. Do you think someone new could withstand the pressure not to conform? I doubt it.
In AA we must start to respect the minorities and distance ourselves from all organized religions,for it is a spiritual not religious program of recovery.I myself stand in the circle but dont say the prayer, rather I substitute with thoughts of peace hope, love, openmindedness and fearlessness.
Written by Mitchell51 on Thu Jan 22
The Lord's Prayer has been used at AA meetings since the early days. Many meetings choose to use the Serenity Prayer as a closing. My Home Group states - "For those who care to join us..." also we do not hold hands as is the current custom. We prefer to do it as was done in the 1940's.There is no "rule" to close the meetings with the Lord's Prayer and a Conference minority opinion vote would never make it to the floor. AA cannot demand that this prayer or any prayer be mandated or left out. Prayer does not affect other groups or AA as a whole and is not violating any Tradition. Each group is autonimous to decide how meetings are conducted except if it affects other groups or AA as a whole.
The Lord's Prayer does have its historical background in Hebrew liturgy and if one researches it, you will find similarities. Though it is found in the New Testament and is considered a "Christian" prayer, it does have universal appeal.
Also, if one reads the entire Serenity Prayer, you will find (depending upon the translation) reference to Jesus in the full text. Fortunately, or unfortunately as the case might be, most of the AA program and text is based upon early Christian writings including the Bible. As example:
ACT AS IF - "and calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4:17Being raised Jewish I have researched the Hebrew roots of Christianity and find no conflict, for me, in the references or the way of life described in the Big Book.FIRST THINGS FIRST - "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
ONE DAY AT A TIME - "Take therefor no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Matthew 6:34
AA has worked for over 60 years quite well if one follows the prescription for a miracle as outlined in the text. I always was told - "If it works - don't fix it."
AA life is based upon suggestions just as it is suggested to use a parachute when jumping out of a flying airplane.
Love and Service to all - Mitchell51
Written by Aussie Chuck on Thu Jan 22
First all please let me thank you for all the years of service you have given to all of us in this wonderful fellowship of AA and for the terrific research you have so graciously shared with us all. (Is there a book of this material at the end of the rainbow?)Buddy and the AA Grapevine (Jan 98 pgs 5-6) seem to have hit upon this issue at about the same time. In that missive Susan B writes that reciting the Lord's prayer "...may imply affiliation with Christianity, clearly a Tradition violation. ...Everyone would agree that it would be inappropriate to study the Bible at an AA meeting. Why, then, is no one concerned that we say a prayer from that same book." She notes that AA had a break from our Christian roots a long time ago and she ends by asking "Who knows how many alcoholics will die, thinking that they have to be Christian to belong?"
We will never know, but I think that even one is too many! And to this extent the saying 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' surely does apply because there is no doubt that the saying of that Christian prayer in USA meetings is a stumbling block that quite unecessarily impedes the entrance to a large number of suffering active alcoholics. It IS broke and an increasing number of USA members are obviously realising this needs fixing.
This reminded me of the statement of responsibility for us to make sure that the hand of AA is there to reach out to ALL suffering Alkies. I note that many of the now pious Christian members of AA frequently and freely admit that they were put off at first by that prayer at a meeting. These are the ones who we are glad to see have stayed and Came to Believe in a higher power of their understanding whom they see as the man-god Jesus. Great! However, Dr Bob said some very important words about Tolerance and we of course have a sponsorship pamphlet which admonishes Sponsors not to insist that the sponsee be Christian or Athiest just because the Sponsor is of that persuasion.
We can bring AA into our church but we shouldn't bring our church into AA. It's Alcoholics Anonymous not Alcoholics Unanamous.
Thanks for being there.
Aussie Chuck
Part II | Part III | Part IV
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
|
Ask it on the Bulletin Board. Weekly Newsletter Free update via email |
|
Conventions & Roundups. Cybriety Medallions Pick up your anniversary medallion. |
