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TODAY'S TOPIC:
Should Atheists
Attend A.A?
by
Natalia J. Garland
Print Version
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Atheists are becoming more outspoken in our society. Atheism used
to be regarded as a scandalous condition; a secret to be guarded
in the recesses of the mind or a disclosure to be made only to the
most trusted confidant. Perhaps a few university professors would
publicly admit to atheism, or a few young intellectuals (or
pseudo-intellectuals), but never the average person. Now that
atheism is less stigmatized, it presents a question for alcoholic
atheists. Should they attend A.A. meetings? Should atheists
convicted of D.U.I. be court-mandated to attend A.A? If an
alcoholic does not believe in God or any other deity figure, can
the principles of A.A. still have a positive impact on sobriety?
The atheistic
objection to A.A. seems to revolve around the development of a
concept of a Higher Power, and the turning over of the will to
this God of one's understanding. Is there, however, any A.A.
objection to the atheist? Let's turn to the pocket-sized book,
As Bill Sees It, to understand "The A.A. Way of
Life" and particularly the A.A. attitude toward atheists.
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When the Big Book
was being planned, some members thought that it ought to be
Christian in the doctrinal sense. Others had no objection to the
use of the word "God," but wanted to avoid doctrinal
issues. Spirituality, yes. Religion, no. Still others wanted a
psychological book, to lure the alcoholic in. Once in, he could
take God or leave Him alone as he wished.
To the rest of us this was shocking, but happily we listened. Our
group conscience was at work to construct the most acceptable and
effective book possible.
Every
voice was playing its appointed part. Our atheists and agnostics
widened our gateway so that all who suffer might pass through,
regardless of their belief or lack of belief.
(p. 95)
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Provided you hold
back nothing in taking the Fifth Step, your sense of relief will
mount from minute to minute. The dammed-up emotions of years
break out of their confinement, and miraculously vanish as soon
as they are exposed. As the pain subsides, a healing and serenity
are so combined, something else of great moment is apt to
occur.
Many
an A.A., once agnostic or atheist, tells us that it was during this
stage of Step Five that he first actually felt the presence of God.
And even those who already had faith often become conscious of God
as they never were before.
(p. 126)
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Any number of
alcoholics are bedeviled by the dire conviction that if ever they
go near A.A., they will be pressured to conform to some particular
brand of faith or theology.
They
just don't realize that faith is never an imperative for A.A.
membership; that sobriety can be achieved with an easily
acceptable minimum of it, and that our concepts of a Higher Power
and God--as we understand Him--afford everyone a nearly unlimited
choice of spiritual belief and action.
(p. 201)
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I have had many
experiences with atheists, mostly good. Everybody in A.A. has
the right to his own opinion. It is much better to maintain an
open and tolerant society than it is to suppress any small
disturbances their opinions might occasion. Actually, I don't
know of anybody who went off and died of alcoholism because of
some atheist's opinions on the cosmos.
But
I do always entreat these folks to look to a 'Higher Power'--namely,
their own group. When they come in, most of their A.A. group is
sober, and they are drunk. Therefore, the group is a 'Higher
Power.' That's a good enough start, and most of them do progress
from there. I know how they feel, because I was once
that way myself.
(p. 276)
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Every man and
woman who has joined A.A. and intends to stick has, without
realizing it, made a beginning on Step Three. Isn't it true that,
in all matters touching upon alcohol, each of them has decided to
turn his or her life over to the care, protection, and guidance
of A.A.?
Already
a willingness has been achieved to cast out one's own will and
one's own ideas about the alcohol problem in favor of those
suggested by A.A. Now if this is not turning one's will and life
over to a new-found "Providence," then what is it?
(p. 328)
[End of quotes.]
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From the viewpoint
of A.A., there is no objection whatsoever to the inclusion of
atheists. In terms of development of a concept of a Higher Power,
the A.A. group itself, if only because it is sober and more
experienced in coping with the problems of maintaining sobriety,
can be regarded as a source of strength and hope. Turning one's
will over to the group would mean listening to and accepting
suggestions--all a matter of free choice on the part of the
atheist. Paradoxically, to become willing to surrender the
will is a proper use of the will. That which is turned
over to the group (or Higher Power) is the delusion of control
over an addictive substance and the insane lifestyle.
Let's turn to a
good companion book to the other quoted above: Addiction &
Grace. This book is written at a clinical level, suitable for
social workers and counsellors.
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Psychologically,
addiction uses up desire. It is like a psychic malignancy,
sucking our life energy into specific obsessions and compulsions,
leaving less and less energy available for other people and other
pursuits. Spiritually, addiction is a deep-seated form of
idolatry. The objects of our addictions become our false gods.
These are what we worship, what we attend to, where we give our
time and energy, instead of love. Addiction, then,
displaces and supplants God's love as the source and object of
our deepest true desire.
[End of quote.]
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Which came first:
the addiction or the atheism? Some alcoholics do not believe in
God, or have difficulty believing in the goodness of God, because
of childhood abuse and the ravages of their alcoholism. Many
alcoholics have lived through years and years of maltreatment and
adversity: sexual abuse in childhood, beatings, rape, prostitution,
AIDS, alienation from family, infidelity, loss of jobs and
finances, homelessness, and failed attempts at sobriety. How can
such individuals believe in the Christian's God of boundless love
and mercy? Atheism, agnosticism, or simply doubt and confusion,
should be regarded as understandable reactions and not as
permanent choices.
What is the test of
genuine atheism? Nobody can really make the decision for atheism
without reflection on both personal fortune and disappointment,
experience and observation of the world, study of various
religious doctrines, and a conscientious commitment to conducting
their activities without reference to God, a deity figure, or
idols. It is highly unlikely that an active alcoholic could
declare atheism with any clarity of mind. If the decision for
atheism was made before the onset of alcoholism, then the
possibility of A.A.'s spiritual principles, as tools for sobriety,
should still be kept open. Especially as the disease goes into
remission (perhaps by the time the alcoholic works Step Five?)
and thoughts are more lucid, the recovering alcoholic must
consider all options for maintenance of sobriety and a meaningful
life. Let's turn again to Addiction & Grace.
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In addition, full
love for God means we must turn to God over and against
other things. If our choice of God is to be made with integrity,
we must first have felt other attractions and chosen, painfully,
not make them our gods. True love, then, is not only born of
freedom, it is also born of difficult choice. A mature and
meaningful love must say something like, "I have experienced
other goodnesses, and they are beautiful, but it is You, my true
heart's desire, whom I choose above all." We have to turn
away before we can come home with dignity.
[End of quote.]
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The spiritual
journey might include a period of unbelief or travel on other
paths. A.A. seems to assume that unbelievers will eventually
reach a point of minimal belief or a starting point of belief for
further growth. However, it must be emphasized that atheist
alcoholics are neither rejected nor evangelized. The beauty of
A.A.--especially regarding improper use of the will--is that it
is a program of suggestion and of reliance on the God of one's
understanding. The only requirement is the desire for
sobriety. Besides standard resources such as the Big Book and
the Twelve Steps, there are many slogans (e.g. a day at a time,
easy does it, live and let live) which can be adapted to
individual need in order to achieve sobriety.
Atheists should be
concerned about the recovery of atheist alcoholics, and not about
legal victory over Christianity. If judges cannot mandate atheist
D.U.I. offenders to A.A., and if there is no viable atheistic
alternative in the locale, then those alcoholics are deprived of
full opportunity for sobriety. The goal--and this may be
difficult for both atheists and Christians to hear--is sobriety,
not the perpetuation of atheism or religion. The decision for
spirituality may reinforce maintenance of sobriety and deepen the
meaning of life, but it is not essential for motivation to become
alcohol- and drug-free. (Written 07/17/07: bibliography available.)
Until we meet
again....... .......stay sane.
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