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.
I can not understand why so many people are offended by just that fact. I wish more people had al-anon and can just respect that we are all individuals with different beliefs, thoughts and opinions and it does not have to take away or threaten them. I have many friends who are not traditional Christians and I love and respect them and their differences and sometimes even celebrate that about our relationship. I try so hard to not judge and love people no matter where we come from and who we are currently. I know it has taken me time to get here and I do not expect everyone to be where I am, just wish I could get some common courtesy. In this day and age I am not always politically correct, but I work hard to be loving and respectful all the same. Can anyone give me ESH on this? By me admitting this does it offend you or take away from you? Thanks all!
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Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."
I think we are encouraged to have a Higher Power and if yours is God then I don't see how that could be offensive to anyone. I think its important not to promote Alanon as Christian with a belief in God a must because not everyone has a God in their life but they could still benefit from Alanon. The Obstacle to Success at the back of the steps is a guide that I believe in.x
Breaking you're good...stay with the HP that you understand and have that HP help you understand that other are "others". My HP is God and the name of God in my culture is Akua. I once held the hand of a Blackfoot Indian who said the closing prayer at my home group meeting. Ever hear a Blackfoot Indian converse with his Higher Power...his "Creator Father"? I will never forget that moment and I am glad he over came his concern that he didn't know how to close the meeting because he wasn't Christian. I can see it and hear it now as if I was still there over 30 years ago. God is your HP...Thank you God. ((((hugs))))
It doesn't matter to me that your HP is God. Mine, too. It's only a word that symbolizes more than it says.
I think what is offensive to others is when our experience of our HP is supposed to be everybody else's, too, and we try to shove that experience onto others. It doesn't bother me if others don't believe in my HP/God. It does bother me if they try to say that their experience or knowledge of an HP/God is better than mine and therefore, I MUST trust their experience more than I trust my own or there will be hell to pay.
It also offends me when folks tell me I can't share my experience or knowledge or word for my HP/God. Again - that to me is someone attempting to impose their experience or knowledge or understanding on me by making me "wrong" and them "right," or me "mentally ill" and them "perfectly sane" or me "in the dark ages" and them "the enlightened ones."
To me, I see the same candle of truth as the rest of humanity. My opinions are based on my experiences. My experiences form my perspective in looking at that candle of truth. My perspective is one that is valid, not perfect, not absolute and not better than anybody else's. And because I believe this about me, I believe it about others, too. That belief and my perspective are subject to change as I experience life differently, too.
I am not what you would call a traditional Christian but it doesn't offend me in the slightest for people to share their beliefs. You go right ahead!
What I do find irksome is sometimes (not on this board mind you) people make comments about how they will pray that the rest of us find their god, have our eyes open to the truth, etc. That's kind of irritating.
I can not understand why so many people are offended by just that fact. I wish more people had al-anon and can just respect that we are all individuals with different beliefs, thoughts and opinions and it does not have to take away or threaten them. I have many friends who are not traditional Christians and I love and respect them and their differences and sometimes even celebrate that about our relationship. I try so hard to not judge and love people no matter where we come from and who we are currently. I know it has taken me time to get here and I do not expect everyone to be where I am, just wish I could get some common courtesy. In this day and age I am not always politically correct, but I work hard to be loving and respectful all the same. Can anyone give me ESH on this? By me admitting this does it offend you or take away from you? Thanks all!
Breaking, I am a native american who happens to believe in God/Creator and I believe in Jesus...I am not politically correct, however I respect, embrace all good hearts no matter their beliefs..I do not go to church , however on one job, boss does not like me coz I am not church goer...this religious persecution and hate and "walking on egg shells" coz of what we believe and fear of offending one is stupid...I have friends who are agnostic which i used to be...atheist...Buddhist....my view of God/Jesus is through the eyes of a native american...Not traditional.....LIVE AND LET LIVE is my slogan for this....I look at the persons HEART, not what they are preaching they believe in.......You are a good soul, Breaking...I like you and your attitude.....You rock on, girl...Be you...Its the best thing you can do...
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Live and let live and do it with peace and goodwill to all!!!!
FOOTNOTE....I have trouble using the name '"God" as my HP, but Creator IS GOD.....I use Creator b/c my offender used to use that name to harm me..he Blasphemed God's name....Now the word "God" kinda stick in my throat, but no worries about others using his name for good...I just use Creator but it is the same GOD...as long as a person's heart is good, who cares what HP they embrace????
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Live and let live and do it with peace and goodwill to all!!!!
There used to be a wonder laconic irish comedian in the 1960s/70s called Dave Allen and he always finished his show with 'and may your God go with you.' Such a lovely way of including everyone.
No offence btw Breakingfree - I think that it is great to talk freely.
My son uses Story Musgrave as his HP. I'm not offended he doesn't pick God so there is no difference. We as a family need to accept each other for who we are and just love the fact we are in recovery no matter what HP we choose.
(((( hugs ))))
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Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth
Speak only when you feel that your words are better than your silence.
no offense here. Glad you have an identified HP. 
