Sober without god. An atheist / agnostic / humanist thread. Please be respectful!

Also yes to this!!

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Couldn’t help myself! :purple_heart::stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:


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I had the chance to listen to an episode of their podcast today. It was a stimulating and thoughtful discussion: host Andrew Copson spoke with Adam Kay about Kay’s writing (including the clever kid’s book Kay’s Anatomy), his time as a doctor in the UK, and Kay’s thoughts about the NHS (which was championed by a humanist: Nye Bevan).

And - cool side note: Copson says the podcast is titled “What I Believe” after two essays of the early 20th century, both titled “What I Believe”, and both by prominent humanists:

I haven’t read them in full yet but I scanned the introductions and they look fascinating. They are compelling assertions that everything we need for a principled, peaceful, and prosperous world (for everyone) exists within us as humans already. Humanism!

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Hey, hope you are well,

Which Britton Smith is this? Thx

I’m not too familiar with Britton Smith, but it was something they posted on their IG. :black_heart:

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It’s Tony-award-winner Britton Smith - the original for this quote is in this article:

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I know this guy is probably just an actor, but he gives me the creeps alright… Does anyone know if ST/TS has a choice in the ads shown?

Here’s a pretty comprehensive answer by Robin regarding advertising.

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Thanks @Mno, that was helpful! I guess it’s too much to ask Robin to also disable the ‘religion’ category?

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You could always ask. For some people this religous stuff may be even triggering in a traumatic way.

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Full disclosure I don’t follow a program that excludes God religion and a higher power but here are my thoughts with respect to the topic.

I’m assuming spirituality as a whole is also excluded based on the following definition: Spirituality is a broad concept that involves a sense of connection to something greater than oneself, and a search for meaning and purpose in life.

However the last part of that definition-- a search for meaning and purpose in life-- I would argue is still valid. I believe it is a very important aspect of sobriety.

I found myself lacking a sense of meaning and purpose in my final years of drinking and in early sobriety. If someone can focus on taking honest inventory of their personality defects, taking ownership of their life, focus on improving themselves, and be directed by the underlying goal of finding meaning and purpose I think they can stay sober.

The underlying problem to address in my opinion is “how do I find meaning and purpose in my life”. This is a problem I believe all people have to solve. The best solutions I’ve seen and experienced (excluding religion etc) involve relationships with other people. Like being a good parent, sibling, friend, or anonymous helper. The solutions that didn’t work for me and many others I know involve pursuing career goals, financial/material wealth, power/influence, and personal pleasure.

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Following that same logic, it would mean that there are zero addicts in this world who do have meaning and purpose in life. Personally, I reject that premise - there are a myriad of reasons why people turn to their DOC, regardless of whether meaning and purpose exist in their life or not.

I suppose I should clarify. I don’t believe all addicts have the same struggles I have had. I just know many who share similar experiences. There are many other reasons why people turn to their drug of choice besides feeling like they lack meaning and purpose. I just believe someone needs to be aware of their meaning and purpose to stay sober. I also believe it’s not easy to adopt a sustainable meaning and purpose. That’s my opinion.

If someone has already identified a sustainable meaning and purpose but still struggles with addiction, I think they have a really good chance at sobriety once they address the other myriad of potential contributing factors.

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