I think that’s great and if it works for you that is all that matters. I think we have to be mindful of our own comfort levels and others. I for one do not feel compelled in the slightest to go to AA and have no desire to read the big book. The great thing about sobriety is there are lots of different reasons someone wants to be sober and lots of different resources. 
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Thanks so much for your replies @siand and @SassyRocks You totally get it and it was so reassuring to hear how you have moved on. I am certainly not against self development, I have just worried that I am becoming too introspective and that in itself isn’t healthy. It sounds like this is all part of the process. Feeling a lot better today 
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My understanding of atheists is that they don’t believe in a God or a creator. I am actually agnostic, in that I was a strong believer and now I don’t believe in that, or follow any religion (but do still have thoughts on the possibility of a creator) I think it is quite hard to suddenly switch off such a strong belief.
For me though, I am loving this thread as the people here are all approaching sobriety from an entirely logical perspective. They are taking complete ownership of their journey and not giving away any power to God or a higher power. I don’t feel like I would ever be truly free of alcohol if I give over some of my recovery to a higher power. To me that would be like getting sober for my husband or kids. That is a worthy reason, but ultimately means I am giving away some of the power and responsibility.
Hope this all makes sense. Everyone has different experiences and whatever works. I know when my Son was really unwell I prayed and broke down in the hospital Chapel. I got massive strength from my belief at the time, because I was feeling so out of control. It was only after that I started losing my faith (I defy anyone to spend weeks on a children’s oncology ward and feel totally secure after), but that helped me through then.
This thread is amazing as it feels like a safe space to share what works for us.
I will add that in England faith is just nowhere near as prevalent as in America. Most people don’t believe here. I was always unusual for having faith. A lot of people consider themselves Christian, but don’t particularly follow the religion. Most people don’t go to Church (11%) or make religion part of their daily lives. It is only here that I have heard people talk with such conviction about God. Us Brits don’t talk about religion at all, except to say they don’t believe. Usually in ruder words than that 
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For me atheist simply means what it means: without god. I don’t believe there is one. Never have and never will. I like the idea of mother earth being our provider but that’s not a god. That’s a planet. And I believe in doing it together. So I believe in people. I am a rationalist although I know that all I feel and see is not simply rationalized away. But that’s another matter.
I love this thread. For many reasons already mentioned by others. The main one for me is that we’re all trying our best to be without dogmas, without labels, we’re sharing about our individual paths, we share our similarities yet cherish and celebrate our differences. I love that and I believe that’s how life should be.
I don’t usually call myself an atheist because it is not really part of my identity. It’s an absence of. One of the main (if not the main) perks of being in a religion is the sense of community. I think those without a belief in a god lack that automatic sense of community, of being in a group, of being together. So we have to work on it. As we are here. I love it.
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Agree with so much of what you have said. I do think it is sad that atheists lack an automatic group as well. I have discussed it before with people that Church was a way of communities looking after each other (you would notice if elderly Mr Jones hadn’t been to Church and check on him, it was a place for lonely people to meet etc.) I wish there were more groups available to people without faith. Atheists are just as kind and supportive, but don’t necessarily have the opportunity to express that.
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Brilliant, I’m so glad there was no attacks on my questions!!!. I’m glad it opened up the conversation a little deeper and more specific 
… When i talk to my children or anybody, I always say 'ask the universe, or 'god is LIKE the power that makes things grow,… I don’t believe in a actual god. But I do believe in the power that makes the earth spin, makes the physics and chemistry and biology of what IS. I believe in what IS, and have faith in what moves the universe constantly, and to believe in what IS is the power that makes it all AS IS…
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Yup I’m British and very cynical too. Have you read books by Phillipa Gregory?.. fantastic stories on the medieval kings and Queens and one of them about how the Bible was rewritten and things said from it or the old Bible were forbidden and arguments with the pope etc… Really interesting.
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I have read her books, not that one though. So fascinating isn’t it? My son has just done a big topic in history on who had the power in the past and it reminded me just how much control the Church of England had (and Catholic prior to King Henry - there is a man who made religion work for him )
I don’t think religion should feature in any power or government in any way. Faith should be a personal thing.
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"When did I realize I was God? Well, I was praying and I suddenly realized I was talking to myself.”
― Peter O’Toole
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I agree that a sense of community can be available in a religious setting. It can also be an unhealthy community, which is really disappointing.
Seeking and establishing and maintaining a safe and supportive community is important work for everyone. If we could put more effort to that in our human experience, there might be less addiction as so many people (including myself) feel they need relief from the the anxiety and fear of lots of things in our lives.
Some vocations and professions can provide healthy and safe communities, complete with routines and rituals that can guide every day life. I’ve been fortunate to have a 35 year career in public education. And while it has definitely had its stressors and challenges, I also love its routines and traditions. And, of course, it has helped me feel a sense of purpose in my life. My wish for lonely and disconnected people is to find a place and a function that brings challenges and joy.
Now that I’m sober, I’m allowing myself to really enjoy my work at a school. Like sobriety, it is my choice to embrace this work and take time to allow myself the joy of its progress. I never really did that in all the years before.
I hope everyone can enjoy the discovery of this work and feel a sense of community in this group.
Have a great day!
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The power of wonder!
This is a honest qs. Have any of you when in some of your deepest darkest moments of addiction, or any of the times you used way to much of your drug of choice and thought you were going to die? Did you do anything in particular in those moments when you thought you might die. I never believed in God or anything really but there were several times when I thought I was going to die from abusing to much coke and idk why for not believing I sure did always ask God to help me stay alive, it was just weird bc I didn’t believe in him but when I thought I wasn’t going to make it I prayed to stay alive. Bc I definitely needed something stronger then me to pull me out.
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I want to be respectful of your experiences and how you have handle things like that but I will say that I have never had that time when I felt a higher power help me in those times…
I have woken up the next day and was really grateful I wasn’t dead for sure.
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Do what keeps YOU sober everyone is different and has different beliefs and tools if what your doing works for you then great
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I’m not saying I felt anything help me. I’m just saying when I thought I was going to die because I abused to many drugs the first thing I did was pray lol. I wasn’t like well oh I guess this is it I fucked up I used to much of my drug and now I’m gonna die. I’m not saying I believe in anything or a higher power. Just that when close to death I wanted something to help me bc I knew I couldn’t
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I refuse to call humanity my hp because hp is connected to god too much for me. For me there is no hp and no god. But I firmly believe that all that can safe me from the pit of despair are other human beings. There are moments other people are stronger and know better then me and that’s one of the times I need them. I agree we can’t do it on our own all the time. We need help. That’s why I’m here.
You do you Mike. If it helps you it’s great. I can’t belief in a god in whatever situation I am. That’s me.
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I wasn’t even saying I believe in God or trying to pursaude anyone to believe in anything. It was a qs
All I’m doing is trying to answer Mike. Please don’t feel attacked. I am not criticizing you, just sharing how I see things myself. Personally I think I’ve never been that close to dying from using, or I was so out of it I didn’t realize it. Using actually made me want to kill myself, and somehow that’s the exact opposite right? I think using made me feel extremely alone, and thinking no one or nothing could help me. That’s just me. Please don’t take offence.
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I wasn’t I think my my messages got miss interpreted like usual. Idk how to put things into context, but didn’t feel attacked or act attacked. But alright lol
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I’m happy you’re still here! I think however you found a way out of that dark place is great. I have not had the same experience though. When I was at my lowest I was ready to be done and as dark as that may seem I didn’t care at that time to make it. But the next day when I was still breathing I was very thankful and really had some self reflecting to do.
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