A reply to Micky's comments on AA and Christ

Please read the comments made on the "An Update" post for background information of this post.


Micky,

I appreciate the comments and concern. I to thought AA was very cultish at first, and still do in some ways. I have my own spirituality, not found through AA, but through Christ. I had one of those stereotypical Jailhouse conversions, but it was so much more! I truly felt the love of God, and the protection we receive from Christ. AA can be a brainwashing sect, but I think that is kind of their point, to brainwash you into getting over the alcoholism, replacing your addiction for drinking with an addiction for meetings. I have been cutting back on my meetings, mainly to spend more time at church and in Bible studies, plus I am finally returning to school to finish up my degree in psychology. I truly appreciate your concern for my well being and am a bit sorry that you have such a negative outlook towards AA. I don't think they are the end all be all of recovery and there are many other programs and ways to go about it. I hope you have found a better way, It sounds like you have, but you still seem so bitter. Maybe it's just a difference in groups, the meetings I have gone to, and I chose then very carefully, to make sure I didn't hit the cultish aspects, are actually pretty good, while there is emphasis on the dogmatic crap of AA, they are more focused on the actual recovery, rather than the method in which it is obtained. I'm definitely not emotionless. I have seen some of what you are talking about in certain groups, and I avoid them like the plague!

I do believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I do believe that a life in and for Christ is the only sure way of reaching that light. I have had many conversations with my pastor in this regard, and I fully believe that I am moving in the right direction, AA and the 12 steps aside. As far as the steps go, I think they are helpful, if only in clearing out the closet. I have many skeletons in my closet, and as a student of psychology, I know that those skeletons are bogging me down and holding me back, I constantly pray that I receive guidance from God in how to deal with the situation. I wish I could afford therapy, or a counselor, and I went to school with too many people who became social workers and the people I could afford, I wouldn’t trust them with anything, especially my mental health. If I could afford actual therapy I would do it and I'm sure I would see similar results to what I am seeing now, plus a therapist has you do the 12 steps anyway, only instead of sitting down and doing formal step work, you clear out your closet while talking to the therapist over the course of many sessions.

I can easily relate without spouting AA propaganda, in fact I hate doing that, I was simply recommending the book to those who may have an interest. (The "Update" actually started as a letter to my Grandparents, so it was more for their benefit than anyone else’s). At this point I have weekly meetings with my Pastor and we discuss all of this, and things are going well. I don’t think anything in AA is overtly anti-Christian, but it is certainly not solely a Christian organization, they use the language they do so as not to exclude any particular religion, a Buddhist would never go if he had to convert his religion as well, neither would a Jew, Muslim, or Hindu, they want to make the program accessible to all, and in the long run it has worked.

The bible teaches tolerance, and also says that in the end, all will be forced to recognize Christ as the son of God and the savior of mankind (Philippians 2:9-11). This means even those who have not been saved through Christ will have to reconcile with the fact in the end. On the whole AA has helped millions to at least find stability that they didn't have while drinking and it has also lead many people to lead more spiritual lives, Regardless of what that spiritual belief may be. It is the job of true Christians to spread the gospel though, and AA gives us a bit of a head start when it comes to that, many people who would never have accepted Christ are at the very least, made more receptive of the idea, it is up to us Christians to help them find Christ, not AA. As the stupid phrase goes, "you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink." I think that all too often Christians forget the fact that we are supposed to be tolerant of others as Christ was, and preach to gentiles and believers alike.

God will make himself known to those who are ready, and he will not forsake those who try to understand him. We Christians often take too much pride in the perfection of our way, and forget the true meaning of being a Christian, we have accepted Christ and we are supposed to preach the gospel, but we are not to judge others or condemn them, that is for God to do, it is not our place to condemn, merely to bring the word, and try to help others in need. Christ taught us to lead a life of peace and love, not book burning and hatred for those who don't agree with us. Christ never said that it is our duty to put down our neighbors, but to lift them up and show them the way. I would recommend, when it comes to trying to lead people away from the cultish aspects of AA that you try to do so without so much bitterness and anger, I can understand that they may be completely justified, but is that the Christ like way of doing things? Did Christ ever react with such bitterness and anger aside from the money changers incident?

I’m deeply sorry that you had such a negative experience with AA and I am greatly impressed that you have found a better way! The important thing is that you are still sober, that you have found Christ, and that you are trying to help others, this is quite commendable! God has a plan for you, and I’m sure that going through the things you did in AA was part of that plan. Think of the lessons it taught you, both good and bad, all things are learning experiences, and we are to find Joy in all things especially suffering. The fourth fruit of the spirit is Patience/long-suffering, and it is through this that we are actually brought closer to Christ. I will pray for you, that you are able to overcome the anger I read in your words, living with anger towards anything is not healthy. God loves all of his creations, even the Devil, God is perfect and does not make mistakes, therefore, everything that happens is exactly what was supposed to happen, and everything we feel is a test of our spiritual commitment to Christ and our willingness to accept God’s will and live through his example.

For the record, none of the posts on this blog, except for the "Update" were written after I found God, in fact they were written when I was severely anti-Christian. My attempt at explaining God through physics is not my AA “God of my understanding” crap, I truly believe that Christ and God are one, that Christ is the savior of all mankind, and that the Holy Spirit works though us. I also believe that given time, we will be able to understand these things through physics, although, I believe that when this understanding is complete, there will be no further use for science, because we are only able to truly understand everything when we die. If man were to suddenly stumble upon scientific proof of God, and be able to fully understand everything, I think the world would cease to be. Our brain is not capable of understanding and grasping the concept of perfection, anymore than we are able to be perfect.

I am truly happy that you took the time to write such thought provoking comments and I greatly appreciate your concern for my well fare, it seems you are the first person, to actually try to help me to work through the confusion of my mind and soul through this blog, and for that I am truly grateful. God works through all of us and he does mysterious things, and because of this, I do believe that your comments were inspired by God, I just wish that you were able to be more at peace with the ideas you have. We don’t have to accept everything we are taught and told, but we should do our best not to hate and despise any of these things as well, bitterness is a poison in the soul, and while our soul is poisoned and filled with bitterness, anger, and hatred, I think that God has a harder time getting through to us. I may be way off base here, but I do believe that there is a way for you to express your dislike for AA, or at least reconcile the negativity of your experience into a positive approach. Thank you so much for your thoughts and concerns, God Bless you!