One common concern raised by newcomers in 12-Steps programs is, "How can I work the Steps if I'm an atheist / agnostic?
As an atheist myself, this was a big concern when I joined program. Many texts have triggering words for me, mentions of "God" and biblical-like language
Fortunately, both SAA and SPAA have secular meetings where atheists and agnostics work on recovery. I attend, and I highly recommend them!
- SAA Secular Sobriety meetings are:
- Monday at 6pm PT
- Wednesday at 6pm PT
See SAA Meetings for meeting join info on Wednesday. Use same login for Monday - SPAA Atheist and Agnostics meetings are:
- Contact SPAA via their form on the main website for meeting join info.
- Beyond Belief
A daily reading companion for atheists and agnostics - Staying Sober Without God
12 Step secular guide by Jeffrey Munn - Step 2 Reading from the "12 and 12"
Writting by AA co-founder, this may be too triggering for some. But I found it incredibly helpful. - One Big Tent
A collection of stories from atheists, agnostics, and nonbelievers that have shaped 12-Step programs and AA throughout the decades. - You Can't Be A Real Alcoholic If You Don't Believe In God
For a deeper dive, this is a cool reading on 12 Steps for Agnostics / Atheists (particularly AA, but principles are the same)
- AA Atheist Agnostica
A cool resource for 12 Step atheist and agnostic support. Quotes from AA founders to support secular recovery, as well as many different secular versions of the 12 Steps. - AA for Agnostics
Cool personal site from some guy named Andy, who joined 12 Steps in 1984. Has a lot of great personal stories about navigating 12 Steps without religion.
I really enjoyed his personal story interwoven with his share on a famous recovery guy named Clancy.
- Set Aside Prayer
- All 12 Step Prayers
- All Big Book Prayers
- Unity Prayer
- Sanskrit Proverb
Note: The definition of Secular used here is "something nonreligious or not of a religious order, religious body, or religious commandments. Non-deterministic or fate-driven."
Secular to me is not anti-spiritual, though for some people it (understandably) can be.
These prayers are provided in the same way that "I hope you feel better soon" is a prayer, or
"Get well soon" or "Wishing you all the best" or "You'll be in my thoughts and my heart" are prayers.
- Honoring Hank P.
- Hank P. Biography by Mike O.
- Hank P. Biography by Bob K.
- Hank P. Biography
- "The Unbeliever" (Original AA "Big Book" Story by Hank P.)
- Jim B. History
Above: An original 12-Step "Big Book" Manuscript from 1938, showing hand written note to remove the word "God" and replace it with "a spiritual power"
I was surprised to learn that heated discussions of "God" and biblical-language of 12-Step recovery date back to its earliest members.
The publisher of the original 12-Steps (the AA "Big Book") was himself an atheist, named Hank P.
He had huge contributions to the fellowships existence and contributed the story "The Unbeliever" to the 1st addition of the "Big Book".
Another Atheist (or perhaps Agnostic) was Jim B. We have him to thank for the language "God...as we understood Him."
Without his contribution, AA might have become a dogmatic religious organization, or it may have fallen apart completely.
While their views and opinions may have changed over time (who's don't?), it was their contributions that shaped 12-Step programs of today, giving the newcomer flexibility to find a Higher Power that works for them.
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