Monty-man's Meditorial

Other People's Higher Power

At a convention some years ago I was asked this question:

How do you feel about people in AA and NA with different Higher Powers than yourself?

Simple, it's their choice and their right within the program to believe as they will. God is a gentleman, and never forces Himself on anybody. As a follower of Christ, and a man wishing to do His will, then I must not force my belief system on anyone either. The Personal relationship I have with Jesus Christ is available to all who seek him, but an individual has to seek for himself without being Bible thumped. I have a very strong conviction about my Higher Power. Folks know that, because if a person doesn't believe that his/her Higher Power is the Higher Power then how do they trust that Higher Power as their Higher Power. If they don't believe that without reservation, then they best get another Higher Power. But one must remember that many folks are still searching and they should never be judged or shamed. Some folks when they first come in to recovery use their group as their Higher Power. It's not that the folks in the group are a power greater than themselves, but that collectively the bond that is formed between a group of people that have the same focus and desire can be so powerful that it can change and save lives. If I don't believe that my Home Group is the best Home Group I could belong to, then I had better find another Home Group. -But newcomers are searching that out as well.

It's all a process of progress. Something we certainly didn't have when we were out running on self will run riot. WOW, that was a mouth full. It's not my place to judge peoples choices. The Apostle Paul in the New Testament says...

" ...you should not dis-associate yourself with the world or judge those who don't believe and act like we do. In that case you would have to leave this world, but you should judge yourselves and make yourselves accountable to one another."

1 Cor. 5:9-11

Blessings,

Monty "man"

Read The Dilemma of Christians in Traditional 12 Step Programs by Monty 'man Meyer

MEDITORIAL:

We should never judge or shame someone for having a different faith than we do. We hold to our convictions without apology, but we give others the same tolerance and respect we would expect from them. In this way the truth of the Lord will shine bright, He will do His work as we step out of the way. Trust God and Love People should forever be our focus.

© Recovery Times. All rights reserved.
Revised: 11/06/07
RTv3.1 © Recovery Times 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2006
All personal stories and graphics are copyright of the © writer themselves unless otherwise indicated.
Recovery Times only publishes with their permission. Please do not post these articles or stories on another site or publication without the explicit written permission of Recovery Times and the author.

Recovery Times has but one purpose and goal, and that is to carry the message of 12-Step Recovery -- as written and practiced in its founding organization's (AA's) unaltered 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts for World Service, but not limited to only AA-sanctioned material (such as The Holy Bible, The Koran, The Upanishads, etc.). Recovery Times is not affiliated nor approved with or by any 12 Step organizations.

Recovery Times publishes only each author's opinions or positions on all matters, and doesn't necessarily agree or disagree with anyone on anything. Our Principles and Protocols are expressed beautifully in the Prayer of St. Francis (p.99, 12-Steps and 12-Traditions).

Webmaster Walter

Site best viewed at 1024 x 768 with Internet Explorer 6.0 or Netscape 7.1 or Higher or