There is room in A.A. for people of all shades of belief and non-belief. Many members believe in some sort of god, and we have members who come from and practice all sorts of religions, but many are also atheist or ag- nostic.

Can you be an atheist in AA?

There is room in A.A. for people of all shades of belief and non-belief. Many members believe in some sort of god, and we have members who come from and practice all sorts of religions, but many are also atheist or ag- nostic.

What is the higher power in AA?

Higher Power is a term used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other twelve-step programs. The same groups use the phrase “a power greater than ourselves” synonymously. The term sometimes refers to a supreme being or deity, or other conceptions of God.

What is the Four Horsemen in AA?

Some of us sought out sordid places, hoping to find understanding com- panionship and approval. Momentarily we did—then would come oblivion and the awful awakening to face the hideous Four Horsemen—Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, Despair.

How long does it take to complete a 12-step program?

That may seem like a lot and it may seem like a long time to commit to going to meetings. However, most 12-step programs, including those for people addicted to drugs, encourage new members to commit to those 90 meetings in 90 days.

What is a spiritual awakening in AA?

We define a spiritual awakening as a moment of intense clairty, shift of thought, “God moment”, or any moment in which an intense flooding of emotion comes followed by a change in self. Former alcoholics and addicts accredit their spiritual awakenings to a course of action that is designed to create a change in them.

What is a spiritual moment?

The Christian theologian Paul Tillich defined the spiritual moment as one “which is based on God and only on God, who is experienced in a unique and personal way.” The Jewish theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote, “Each of us has at least once in their life experienced the momentous reality of God.”

How does one become an atheist?

If you lack an active belief in gods, you are an atheist. It just means that the assertion that gods exist has left you unconvinced. Wishing that there was an afterlife, or a creator god, or a specific god doesn’t mean you’re not an atheist.

Can anyone be an atheist?

2 The literal definition of “atheist” is “a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods,” according to Merriam-Webster. And the vast majority of U.S. atheists fit this description: 81% say they do not believe in God or a higher power or in a spiritual force of any kind.