Not sure how to title this - Al-Anon Family Group

lilms · Senior Member

Not sure how to title this

Diva · ~*Service Worker*~

I understand your concerns lilms. My partner (A) stopped going to one AA meeting because he was told that unless and until an alcoholic accepts Jesus he/she will never be able to effect a recovery. Nothing against Jesus...simply didn't seem the right thing to say. And...I have seen words to that effect here on this board. Whatever belief (or non belief) one adheres to doesn't matter to me one way or another; as long as it is not being pushed on me. Preaching doesn't belong here. On the other hand, whip out that book of wiccan and let's hear something different!!!!!! Then I'll tell ya why I accept the redwood trees as HP.

Take good care friend,

Diva

-- Edited by Diva at 23:56, 2007-05-28

rtexas · ~*Service Worker*~

(((((Lilms)))))

You are right to say that preaching any particular religion can put people of other faiths or of none ... out. But, this is a spiritual program and some of the beauty of this world is related in its writings. All kinds.

I posted a Sioux prayer once because its words spoke to me. I have yet to dance in my back yard with a rattlesnake above my head ... but I love that verse. ;)

If you have hidden away a beautiful wiccan text... let us have it! :)

Take care of you!

Lunamoth · ~*Service Worker*~

(((lilms)))

Also in agreement... Well said RT, this is a spritual program.

Kim65 · ~*Service Worker*~

I appreciate just about any contributions from any where, there are profound insights to be had from novels and movies too. To me, there is little difference in receiving a bit of wisdom from the bible or one of my geese, and that is NOT minimizing the bible. Maybe I'm finally going crazy :D but any expression of "life as it is" is an expression of the Divine Whatever It Is.

I admit I am pretty sensitive to being proselytized. It feels threatening. Conversion of the masses is an integral part of two of the three religions of the western world, and any invitation from them for me to join them is just an expression of their beliefs, and though it still "gets" me, and I feel angry/offended, that's really my own problem. My problem with THEIR belief system.

Simple enough to say, though! In a nutshell, a more inclusive tolerance seems like it would work better for Alanon than one that puts restrictions on certain faiths. Wiccan wisdom, Buddhist wisdom, the Hindis have some powerful wise persons . . . it's all good!

chris52 · Senior Member

((((lilms))))

Yep...I am alongside the others here. Words are words....where they come from doesn't bother me,so much as if they actually speak something profound for me.

As long as someone else's beliefs are not rammed down my throat,and I can see beauty and wisdom in those words.

And I can easily take what I want...and leave the rest.

(((HUGS)))

Chris

Christy · ~*Service Worker*~

I'm still trying to figure out why people say "My HP, who I choose to call God".
Is that just a sly way of saying God and not only HP as advised ?

Why can't it just be HP? And why can't he be Mike or Bob? biggrin

SLS · Senior Member

Christy: I disagree. I don't think it's a "sly" way of saying anything. When I say
"My HP, who for me is God" I am acknowledging both that I have a HP (and who it is) and that it can be something different for someone else.

As for quoting the Bible, it would be inappropriate in a meeting, but I would think it is ok on a message board so long as the poster is not "recruiting."

debilyn · ~*Service Worker*~

Well it was me. sigh just shoot me. well maybe it is time for me to leave.

NOT. I agree with well I am so tired, can't think.

I would welcome any nice thoughts from anywhere. I NEVER would "recruit" whatever that is.

People make their own choices. They have to for it to be from their hearts.

hugs, debilyn hanging her head, tears falling, feet hurt, hands hurt, but the horses and llamas are in a beautiful pasture now from putting up a huge gate.

not really crying....hehe

babysteps · Senior Member

Part of our program includes "take what you like and leave the rest."

I would hate to exclude anything that could be helpful to someone. To some degree the source is irrelevant if the message is useful.

lin0606 · ~*Service Worker*~

I think a Bible quote is as appropriate here as a quote from any other source. That is, as a way of illustrating a point someone is trying to make, not as an authority.

There's a lot of wisdom in the Bible, just as there is in any other great work of literature (which is how I view it). I'd hate to not be able to quote from the Bible, or from other Christian writings, just as I'd to not be able to quote Shakespeare or song lyrics. Where it becomes inappropriate is when it changes from 'this is MY way' to 'this is THE way'.

david62 · ~*Service Worker*~

As this is a bulleting board and not a meeting, I absolutely agree that there is nothing wrong with quoting from the bible or any source of healing words.

I have my belief system. And when I say my HP, whom I call Jesus, that is my perogative. If you want to say my HP, whom I call mother earth, that is your perogative.

I was listening to a Buddhist speaker the other day. He said something that absolutely struck home for me and was so very very true. (And funny, I read it in our recovery literature first! smile

) What we need to be doing instead of looking for the differences between us is looking for and concentrating on, the similiarities.

Whether that is in our religious or spiritual beliefs or as a group of amazingly different and unique individuals sharing a common goal of recovery...that idea is perfect and true for me.

I also like the idea I have learned here that if something someone else is saying is bothering me, I need to look inside myself and not at them for the source.

Take the beauty and truth you can hear from anyone of any faith or belief and put it in your heart. Anything that you feel is not truth, just let it fall to the ground.

Thanks for the post ((((lilms))))

Yours in Recovery,
David

Karilynn · ~*Service Worker*~

(((((Lilms))))),

Good question. Let me put it to you this way. I have a co-worker who is very devout to his religion. The problem I have is that he is always trying to convert me. He is in the same group that my cousin is in. I told him nicely, more than once, that while I respect my beliefs, I choose to have my own. Then he switched tactics and tried to "bait me" into conversations that would lead back to his beliefs. It got to the point where I even told him that if my cousin couldn't convert me, no one could. Then one day he sent "recruiters" to the house. That was the last straw. I had to finally make it clear to him that was the last straw. We now keep it professional and nothing more.

My point is, I love to hear everybody's point of view. My mother allowed us to choose are own religion. We went to different churches, synagogues, you name it. I look at anything, and hear people out. But the day someone tries to impose their views on me, is the day I cut ties with that person. Or in this case, just don't read the posts.

I would welcome your wiccan posts, I think they would be interesting. I'm a bit crunchy granola myself.

Love and blessings to you and your family. Kiss the kitties.

Live strong,
Karilynn & Pipers Kitty smile

lilms · Senior Member

(((((MIP Family)))))))

Thanks for all the well thought out replies and thanks for the PM's. Am not trying to stir the pot (whatever that is). Actually here we call it shit disturbing but am not trying to do that either.

Debilyn, yep, this time it was you but has often been others. AM NOT going to shoot you. Number one I love ya, and number two, it would be very messy. As for nice thoughts. Hmmmm, I love the way you talk about your pets, the devotion you have to this board, your nutty sense of humour etc. etc. etc.

In response to those who replied, I am not anti religion, nor am I anything when it comes to organized religion. I am just me but I am a sweetheart.

love ya all,

lilms

Christy · ~*Service Worker*~

SLS: Christy: I disagree. I don't think it's a "sly" way of saying anything.

I asked a question, did not make a statement. I just don't understand why people feel the need to announce who their HP is. *shrug*
Whatever floats y'all's boat!

Christy

debilyn · ~*Service Worker*~

yes you are a sweetheart! Even when you get everyone going.. lol

this was a great subject. I really enjoyed the replies. I do like "I don't care where if came from as long as it nice to read. sorta was said like that.

Lilms I must be devoted,especially after last week.

Well my turkey hatched out eggs. The chicks, I put chicken eggs under her, were getting eaten by a cat/ rrrr so i have 4 in here I am raising. They think they need to be in my shirt allll the time...

sigh. hugs,debilyn

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.