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.
The mods were there (ie: my post below) and due to what was taking place SenoraBob, (bless her heart) regained control by running the opening scripts of Alanon (in leiu of kicking people out) and called an impromptu meeting that lasted for over 2 hrs. in the wee hours of the morning. Thanks Senora!! It's kind of hard to argue when the scripts are running..lol Love it!
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
Not trying to stir the pot. Can't we discuss religion w/ other members after a f2f meeting and isn't that what open chat is?
For me and open exchange of religions and how others believe broadens my horizons for new ways to relate to my HP.
Of course it should still be done in a respectful way and everyone must allow everyone to have their own views and beliefs if it's allowed. I'm not sure it is, that's why I throw this out there.
Heck even our CAL will quote things directly from many religions.
Now what upsets me was that I missed an impromptu meeting. The two I've caught ROCKED ! :)
Bob
edit: OK so I read some other threads and am seeing that our chat room rules do not allow the talk of religion. My bad. I'm still confused, can we speak of our religion as long as we aren't forcing it on others and only speaking of it as our own ESH?
-- Edited by bobump at 17:12, 2006-04-12
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You are a perfect child of God and God and I love you just the way you are! (added by me...in that special alanon way)
Off the top of my head.... I think mentioning God or Higher Power is part of the program.
After all, both words are used throughout approved literature. I especially like the term, God of my understanding, which leaves our individual interpretations free.
As for discussing religion in chat, it seems to me it would be more appropriate to do that in Private Message if a member wants to pursue the topic in detail.
As a newbie or an oldie, I don't come here for sermons.
Quoting a wide range of spiritualists, philosophers, and the like, as has been done in some of our books, is quite different from someone taking over from the pulpit, in my humble opinion.
I think people just need to use some common sense. Preaching is inappropriate, and talking about religion when it's upsetting people is not appropriate either. If you find yourself having a debate about whether you should be talking about something or not, you've probably stepped over that line somewhere.
One of the strengths of 12 step programs, and something frequently misunderstood by newcomers who run away screaming, is that a belief in God as everyone ELSE understands him is not required. The "God" referred to in the literature is by definition a personal God. If people want to make their HP their group, or nature, or Elmer Fudd, that's their business. Talking specifically about what your HP is at length can alienate people who cannot relate to the HP concept that way, and that's dangerous.
I would think that if some wants to discuss religion they would go to a religious chat room?? Or at least one that is more open to the topic rather than continue to keep trying to force it on others. But please remember we are not all in the same place in our recovery.
Josey
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Julianne - It's best to move on. You cannot look back in anger in life. It's too short
