[PLUG-TALK] Addiction, Religion, and MR

Richard Powell plug at hackhawk.net
Wed Oct 28 16:59:37 UTC 2009


I know this will probably fall on deaf ears as far as MR is concerned, 
but I'm going to say it anyway.

About 22 years ago, when I moved from Alaska to Hollywood California to 
pursue music, I moved in with a devout Christian.  At the time there was 
a famous Christian musician who had been shot.  My roommate explained 
that in his belief this "Christian" musician must have had a fallen out 
with God for this to happen to him.

Over the couple of years that followed, I encountered various people 
with views similar to this, as well as views similar to Michael 
Robinson.  MR is like an echo of those ideas and thoughts I was exposed 
to back in the late 80's.

The result of that exposure was that I shunned religion entirely for 
more than 2 decades of my life.  I stepped into Church only twice on a 
Sunday over those two decades, and for a couple of weddings.  Both 
Sunday experiences were difficult and uncomfortable for me.

For 2 decades of my life I was unable to say the words "God Bless You", 
or to even hear the words spoken from the heart of my friends without 
cringing or feeling uneasy.

For 2 decades of my life, I was aware of Alcoholic Anonymous. I had been 
to meetings with my Mom, and was very aware of the 12 steps.  I believed 
with all my heart that if/when I ever chose to face my problem with 
Alcohol that I would need to follow the steps of that program.

Step 3 "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care 
of God as we understood Him." was always a sticking point for me.

What's odd, is that I've always been a spiritual person.  I believe in a 
universal consciousness.  So following step 3 really wouldn't be a 
stretch for me.  But continually, I had this uneasy feeling when I'd 
hear AA members say "God Bless You".  There was just FAR too much 
negative history associated with the words.

Ultimately I accept full responsibility for my actions and decisions in 
life.  I do not blame those false profits of my late teens and early 
twenties for this negativity in my life.  It was entirely in my heart to 
forgive them and move on with what I believe God to be.

It sure does take a lot of energy to stay angry and to not forgive.  It 
has probably taken years off of my life.  The alcohol probably didn't 
help either.  :)

I have recently embraced my religion again this year.  I drank my last 
alcoholic drink on January 6th 2009, went to AA on January 7th and have 
never looked back.  It's like a bit in my head switched from zero to one 
overnight.

I'm going through the nastiest divorce of anyone I've ever heard of 
going through.  Yet I've managed to stay sober, and I'm generally a 
happy person through it all.

I want to tell you Michael Robinson.  You are not doing anyone any 
favors with the religious drool that comes out of your mouth/keyboard. 
If anything, you drive away with extreme force those younger and more 
influential minds that you may come into contact with.  You drive them 
away from religion.

With all my heart, I pray to God that you will find peace in your life. 
  I pray that you will not create negative feelings in other young minds 
out there.  I pray that you will not drive young minds away from 
religion, and away from peace, and happiness in their lives.

Wow!  I can actually say "Pray to God" without cringing or feeling 
awkward.  I have come a long way in just one year.

God Bless You
Richard




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