Why The Long Face?

Page: 45

Step we are on: Step Two

Chapter: "We Agnostics"

Subject: Belief, Willingness

Good morning. The idea that the  AA approach is some kind of bait and switch "religious" con is dispelled here.

Notice the 'voice' of the co-authors writing in this part of the chapter. It is coming from the perspective of the already awakened AA member, Twelve Stepping  another unrecovered alcoholic -  not from the perspective of the man who is taking the steps. This becomes important later on. 

• We are going to talk about who?

And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about God.

The co-authors never propose hiding the spirituality of the 12 step program. We bring God up quickly and keep spirituality out in front. God is the leading topic in AA; not some best kept secret. 

• Who will have difficulty with this topic?

Here difficulty arises with agnostics.

• What will give the newcomer hope?

Many times, we talk to a new man and watch his hope rise as we discuss his alcoholic problems and explain our fellowship.

                               

• Does everyone jump at the chance to find God when they discover that we are offering a spiritual solution to his problems?
  
  

But his face falls when we speak of spiritual matters, especially when we mention God,

• Why will this topic disturb him?

 for we have re-opened a subject which our man thought he had neatly evaded or entirely ignored.

When someone has not been God-conscious for a long time or perhaps never been, it can be natural that he show some reticence.  However once that person has taken Step One (Prior to that it this discussion can be tricky sometimes, so as always - chronology does count!) we are to re-open the 'God thing' for our prospects. We never shy away from the subject. No matter how  far removed our prospect is from the God-talk, spiritual discussion or how disturbed he might be about the idea. 

If he won’t hear about God  then there really is nothing further to discuss with him.  There are no inventories to proceed with. There is no Step Three prayer. There are no amends to make or fifth step to hear. We move on to another man who IS willing to accept the spiritual solution we are offering. A man who cannot "come to believe”   -- in other words, he can't complete step two  --   will be unable to move onto Step Three.  

Peace and  Love,

Danny S – RLRA

Real Live Recovered Alcoholic

http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com