I’m 47 days in and I still don’t have a sponsor and have yet to begin the steps. The god aspect is a bit off putting. I don’t want to have to pretend while working the steps. Maybe AA isn’t for me. Is there an atheist AA?
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Yes, there are atheist and agnostic AA groups-- depending on where you live there may not be as many, but there should be at least one or two! The god thing in AA is really off putting to a lot of people, but there’s still a way through. I’m at six months in the program and also found the god stuff off putting. You are in charge of your own beliefs or lack thereof, and that is respected in AA as a group. You may get some individuals that are heavy handed with the Jesus stuff, but in my experience that hasn’t been the norm. My advice would be to see if there are atheist groups nearby that you can get to, and then look for a sponser there. It’ll be easier to go through the steps with somebody that is on the same page as you. Best of luck and congrats on your sober time so far!
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Thank you Ashlee… Unfortunately I happen to live in the bible belt buckle. I have no problem with what other people believe, but like I said, I just don’t want to fake it. I may just say fuck it and do the steps anyway. I want to be mentally well too. I dunno, I will to try to find AAA but around here? That will be a neat trick.
Thank you! There is one that’s not too far away. I will give it a look.
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Yo man. Congrats on 47 days. It’s a true fucking miracle that we are sober!
I’m sure you know this but it’s not “recommended” to do the steps on your own. It takes a sponsor to help guide you thru them along with th big book. Please don’t get me wrong. You’re obviously succeeding and its your program. If you are gonna do the steps on your own then you could get a 12 step book and do it.
I’ll tell ya that I have had 4 sponsors and not one of them ever told me that I had to accept Jesus as my lord and savior. It was nothing like that from any of them. Yes they suggested i needed A higher power that’s bigger than myself but they never told me what it had to be. Most don’t give a shit what it is as long as it helps you. As long as It takes us away from our ego and is bigger than us is the only thing It should be.
Hope you got something from this😉
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Hey, I am Atheist and i attend AA and get as much out of it as the next person. I have some experience with atheist meetings, and i did feel i got something out of them but they are at least an hour from me But if you really are looking for something where they don’t mention god what so ever, search Quad A, smart recovery, Secular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S.), or LifeRing Secular Recovery.
here are some links for you
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Maybe you could find enough AA members and form your own AAA group!
Why do you even think you need AA?
I consider myself an agnostic, and i too am in the heart of the bible belt, and I’m 62 days free of booze and have never felt better. I have nothing against AA, I just personally don’t think it’s required for success. I guess you could say my higher power is fitness. I basically live in the gym and on my bike. I think it’s important to have something to focus on, something to keep you sober. So from that perspective I see the purpose of AA. I don’t call a sponsor when Ive been stressed, I go to the gym and work it out.